A few questions before I make my first soap.

[JoanPD]

I plan on making my first soap later this week, hopefully Friday, depending on my schedule.

From what I have read, it seems like plastic is safe to use for the lye-water mixture, mixing the oil and the lye, and for the molds, as long is it labeled with the recycling label #5.

Is this correct, or am I getting incorrect info from my research.

If I enjoy making soap, I am going to invest in an immersion blender, but since I can't find one at the thrift stores, I don't want to buy one just to use once or twice, but how long should I expect to be stirring until I hit trace?

Also, will essential oils work for fragrance (from the health food store)?

Thank you so much for your help in advance.

 

[Dorymae]

If you are going to hand blend the soap I suggest you use a faster tracing recipe ( or you could be mixing for hours). Avoid using olive oil, if you want to use pomace instead. Tallow would be a good main oil, or palm. Remember to stay under 20% on your coconut oil.

Since you want trace quickened you can soap hot. ( you don't need to cool your oils or lye water). You could also use a floral EO or FO.

Good luck, oh and yes the plastic will be fine for the lye water.

 

[IrishLass]

From what I have read, it seems like plastic is safe to use for the lye-water mixture, mixing the oil and the lye, and for the molds, as long is it labeled with the recycling label #5.

Is this correct, or am I getting incorrect info from my research.

Recycle #5 is correct.

If I enjoy making soap, I am going to invest in an immersion blender, but since I can't find one at the thrift stores, I don't want to buy one just to use once or twice, but how long should I expect to be stirring until I hit trace?

This will depend on several factors, not the least of which is the amount of water you'll be using, and also the type of oils/fats you choose to use.... not to mention the particular scent you'll be adding as well. Do you have a recipe and scent all planned out? If so, posting it will help us to give you a better guestimate of how long it might take for your soap to reach trace.

Also, will essential oils work for fragrance (from the health food store)?

Yes.

IrishLass

 

[lsg]

I got my first stick blender at Walmart for $19. It is still working.

 

[Susie]

A stick blender is not a piece of equipment I consider optional. At all. My first soap was hand mixed(for hours). Never again. Buy one at Walmart, and keep your eyes on the thrift stores for a spare. Soaping is fun, and you don't want a bad first experience putting you off. You will also want to make batch after batch, so it is a good investment.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

If you have one that is not aluminium, use that to get the unscented batter to trace, then use something else to stir in the scent. Not totally ideal, but the only bad thing about using the mixer imo is the EO/FO issue. Soap itself, or even lye and oils, are not an issue when you wash it well afterwards.

Of course, if you have NO stick blender at all, then I would say to get one, even a cheapo for now. I have a 10€ one that is holding it's own, although it does double up as a hand warmer with some recipes....................

 

[commoncenz]

I don't know if they have an "Ollies" discount store in your area, but if they do, I just bought a stick blender there for $9.99.

 

[DeeAnna]

And I'll add that if you have a stick blender, I bet you'll find other uses for it in the kitchen if you don't want to continue soaping.

 

[Seawolfe]

Honestly I can't imagine cooking without a stick blender. Heh probably why we have 3 in use regularly.

 

[navigator9]

I agree with the above. I wouldn't make soap without a stick blender. I tried once, and it took forever. If that had been my first batch, there probably wouldn't have been a second. I got my most recent one at Ocean State Job Lot for ten bucks. Big Lots is a similar store. Don't know if you have them in your area, but Walmart is a good bet, and you will find it's worth every penny you spend on it.

I'm always amazed that we don't all know the name of the first soaper to use a stick blender, like Edison, or the Wright brothers. That person is at least as important..... at least to us soapers!