Bar size and cure time

[CritterPoor]

Does anyone know if the size of the bar effects the cure time? It's my understanding that curing is to allow the water to evaporate off the soap and for the soap to get harder. So, do the smaller bars dry quicker?

 

[Obsidian]

smaller bars will dry quicker but there is more to curing then just drying. The soap gets milder as it ages, it needs a good cure regardless of how dry it is.

 

[shunt2011]

^^^
This exactly. I like to cure my soap at least 4 weeks but prefer 6 or longer. My soaps are almost 5.5 ounces. My soap just gets better with age for sure.

 

[IrishLass]

Ditto what Obsidian and Shari said- there's more to curing than simple evaporation. Besides the soap getting milder (and harder/drier), there are also micro-chemical processes still going on inside the soap during cure that help to bring the soap's lathering abilities to full maturity. Those kinds of things can't be rushed.


IrishLass

 

[lpstephy85]

There is no "quick cure" with soap.

 

[CritterPoor]

thanks guys. I was cutting my first soap loaf today and was curious. Definitely in no hurry!