Search results

I render my own lard over low heat and never have smelled a piggy smell.

I've never understood why a vendor skips over the 8 oz. size. I buy that size all the time to test things out - if I love it I've got more for another batch. If I don't I can destash the rest. I know, make small test batches - but I don't work that way ;)

Yes, I think they're a good size for samples. They can actually be used.

Pine tar was 10%. It's the Auson brand, don't know if that makes a difference. Next time I'll try to do as you suggested, I think that's how I did it the last time, just didn't remember the sequence properly.

First time I made pine tar soap I did it CP with no issues - wondered what all the fuss was about. This time I found out :) The batter riced and then seized as soon as the lye solution hit it. I tried to stickblend it but it was not going to have any of it. I ended up tossing it into a...

Necroposting, I know, but thank you, DeeAnna, for convincing me to keep my Auson brand pine tar soap unscented. I'm out of rosemary eo anyways ;)

Is it scented? What did you use for the scent, if it is. If not, how old were your oils?

Gorgeous soap and photography!

Get a new round wire - lasts longer and works cleaner. I bought mine on eBay, here's what I bought http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=Replacement+Kit+8%22+Round+wire+heat+element+-+heat+sealer+8%22+impulse+-+3+Pack&_id=271988498439&&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2658

I will continue to say there is no organic beeswax available. If you want nice wax for cosmetic use go find a local beekeeper and see if they'll part with their cappings wax. That's probably the cleanest wax you can get. Mine smells of the hive, sweet and lovely :)

Beeswax is a sponge. As others have pointed out, there's really no such thing as 'organic' when it comes to honeybees, honey, wax, etc. It's being misused. Best you can do is source your wax from a beekeeper who manages their hives with minimal chemical use. DeeAnna has given you great advice.

I am so sorry for your loss, and your father's ordeal. Hospice is wonderful, so caring. He felt safe finally so he could let go. 73 is too young, but the torment he dealt with.....a friend of mine has a father in hospice now with louis body dementia, he is a youngish man also. It's a tough...

Never mind and thank you - figured it out.

I would be thrilled to get our own calculator!! ETA one of the things I love about SoapCalc is the printout with grams and ounces, I like having all that in one page. I hope whatever you come up with will be similar. I have SM3 but I still like to experiment with recipes in SoapCalc. I grok...

The software most assuredly is not gone. It is very much in development.

That 'faint odor of meat' will not come through the soap. Seriously, I think people spend too much time worrying about that scent. I don't want anything, including water, in my tallow. I've never needed to 'wash' it.

Bless all of you for your care giving. I can only imagine. So far my mother, at 82, is independent and seems to be ok. None of us have a guarantte, though.....

The problem with adding water is some feel it can lead to rancidity. I've rendered hundreds of pounds of both tallow and lard via the dry render method and it doesn't smell at all, to me.

I use one dollop (about a tablespoon) PPO.

I would up the PKO to 30 and lower the RBO and AO to 15. The problem is the palmitic acid, I think some people are sensitive to it, and this one is high in that. Upping the SF to 8% might help, might not.