Used beeswax for the first time. Added it to my hot (150 degree) oils just before adding lye. I found that my batch thickened rather quickly but was able to hand stir in my EO and SF. I want to be sure I am getting a true "trace" so I would be most appreciative to hear everyone's trick to adding beeswax?
Adding Beeswax
- Thread starter gsc
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I usually melt it with coconut oil since coconut can take the high temps well, then I add that to all the other melted oils. If it gets cloudy, I'll toss it in the microwave a bit until it clears back up.
Add warm lye, hit with SB enough to thoroughly mix then switch to handmixing.
Add warm lye, hit with SB enough to thoroughly mix then switch to handmixing.
I pretty much do the same thing as Obsidian, only I use my stovetop because I don't own a microwave:
I melt my beeswax along with the hard fats in my recipe. Once they are completely melted, I add my liquid oils.
If things cool down too much and cloud up when I add my oils, I keep things on the heat until things completely clear. By the way- the temp is still pretty high at this point- over 170F (too high yet for soaping for my likes)- so, I take it off the heat and let things slowly cool down until things start to just cloud up again. When I take the temp at this point of cooled cloudiness, I'll usually find that things have cooled down to 120F. I briefly put it back on the heat just until things clear again (temp only goes up to about 122F before clearing), and then I add my warm (about 110F) lye solution and mix in the same manner as Obsidian^^^. I find this to be a very nice, drama-free way to soap with beeswax.
IrishLass
I melt my beeswax along with the hard fats in my recipe. Once they are completely melted, I add my liquid oils.
If things cool down too much and cloud up when I add my oils, I keep things on the heat until things completely clear. By the way- the temp is still pretty high at this point- over 170F (too high yet for soaping for my likes)- so, I take it off the heat and let things slowly cool down until things start to just cloud up again. When I take the temp at this point of cooled cloudiness, I'll usually find that things have cooled down to 120F. I briefly put it back on the heat just until things clear again (temp only goes up to about 122F before clearing), and then I add my warm (about 110F) lye solution and mix in the same manner as Obsidian^^^. I find this to be a very nice, drama-free way to soap with beeswax.
IrishLass
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