Advise on how to not go through gel stage

[gsc]

I typically make hot process soap but I thought I'd try my hand at CP. I don't want my soaps to go through gel so I'm guessing I should put it in the refrig. My questions are does the soap go into the refrig. right away and for how long? Is it necessary to let it set in refrig. overnight?

Thanks

 

[Relle]

I make my soap in the morning, then put it in the frig straight after making. It stays in there until the next morning until about 7am and then I take it out, I pull off the freezer paper and let it sit on a laminated board in the laundry until the next day or two then cut. I always prevent gel this way and don't have any problems. I think I've got partial gel in a gm soap once.

 

[cmzaha]

Just putting soap in the fridge or freezer does not always guarantee your soap will not gel. I actually had a soap go into gel after it had frozen overnight and I had un-molded it. The blasted soap decided to go into gel, so I was very glad it was sitting on top of a tote lid that caught all the mess. It was a very naughty fragrance that caused the problem. Your soaping temp, fragrance, how much liquid you use, sugars, etc can contribute to gelling. Even how much CO used can make a difference.

 

[maryloucb]

Just putting soap in the fridge or freezer does not always guarantee your soap will not gel. I actually had a soap go into gel after it had frozen overnight and I had un-molded it. The blasted soap decided to go into gel, so I was very glad it was sitting on top of a tote lid that caught all the mess. It was a very naughty fragrance that caused the problem. Your soaping temp, fragrance, how much liquid you use, sugars, etc can contribute to gelling. Even how much CO used can make a difference.

I have also had soap go through gel in the freezer, which really surprised me! The excellent advice I got (from DeAnna maybe?) was to put it on a rack and make sure air is circulating all around it.