Bastille with coconut?

[jenneelk]

Cutter is here tomorrow and I want to finally get this 6 pound loaf started so it can cure.
I was planning to do
75% OO
20% CO
5% Castor

With 20% CO it will likely be ok to try in about 6 months right? Not a full year like Castile?

Any way to help cut back on the 'slime' factor or will the CO help with that? I'll be doing 33% water

sorry one last ? I needed to find out.. 5% superfat was planned. Yay or nay?

 

[Hazel]

Looks good to me. I made a similar bastile and really wasn't happy with it until after 9 months but that's just personal preference. Other people really liked it.

33% lye concentration sounds fine if you're not used to making CP. I don't remember now how familiar you are with the method. You could even go with a 40% lye concentration if you're comfortable with working with a water discount.

I like 5% SF with such a high olive percentage but again, just personal preference.

 

[heartsong]

hi there! my, my, you're a busy-bee! 5% superfat with 33% water is good...depending on humidity and air circulation 6 months or a bit more should be ideal (IMHO) the longer the better, of course...when making a bastille I do 25% coconut, 10% shea butter 5% castor & 60% olive...I find I get a nice bit of lather with this combo...makes a divine bar that is ready for market much sooner...the more other components in the recipe, the less slimey the bar is...I generally limit olive oil to 40-50% max...I know I must be committing heresy, but olive is not my favorite oil to soap with, but I love it as a component of a well balanced recipe.

 

[jenneelk]

I am still pretty new with this being batch 14, but I've been experimenting a lot with the others I've done. Never was one to go slow, so I researched a lot before my first batch. lol
I just need to calculate how much oil I'd need if I do say a 30% lye. I know to do the mold measurements and then .40 for 38% and .45 for 33% so thinking ..47 would be good for 30%?

Not sure I want to do 40% lye just yet.. the work 'volcano' scares me just a tad to actually slow me down. hahaha!

 

[jenneelk]

haha.. yeah I have the bug! I like that recipe and did one similar but I'm wondering if it would be ok for youngins? Not infants but all my cousins are having babies and I'd like to give to them also for when they are around a year. I have 4 kids too and am thinking bastille is best for the younger ones at 3 and 6? I'm just nervous about the coconut oil at 20 or 25% with the kids' skin.

 

[heartsong]

your idea would probably be better for babies...be careful with f/o or e/o's...people much more knowledgeable than I can guide you there...you've really taken to this like a duck to water...you'll have a lot of fun trying out your soapies when they're cured...might I suggest that you take one to try and then put one away to try in another few months...make sure you date them, too.

 

[jenneelk]

Thanks.. luckily I have been making other B&B products for several years now so am fairly familiar with cooking 'stuff' in the kitchen. I had all the oils and supplies, just needed lye, a cutter and bigger wooden molds. Figured it was time I finally took the dive and jump into this world I was dodging. Most pleased too because it's been very rewarding and enjoyable!

Fragrance and EO's I have 160 at last count.. haha! I won't be using any in this since it really isn't necessary for kiddo's and not worth the faint scent after 6-9 months.

As always, appreciate the help! Off to finish the recipe and mix some lye while the house is clear!

 

[sistrum]

You do understand that you don't have to wait 6 mo. To use this soap right. It's just that people feel olive oil soaps are better with a long cure.

 

[heartsong]

You do understand that you don't have to wait 6 mo. To use this soap right. It's just that people feel olive oil soaps are better with a long cure.

maybe it's just the humidity here in the south, but mostly olive soaps never feel as smooth, hard and waxy like other bars I makes...can't really put my finger on it, but there's often a slight tacky feeling, kinda like the bar was used, then dried off...KWIM?

 

[jenneelk]

It's dry as heck here in central California so maybe I'll give it a go in 4 months.

Here's a funny... pouring and pouring oil.. have to bust out the HUGE pot since my lye will likely make my oils too close to the brim for my liking. Decided to 'really' look at my ounces.. and had to move to pounds because they were so high. This mold is 10 lbs! LOL I hope this soap goes well!!! I just took the measurements and plugged them in and guess I didn't remember how big I bought a month ago.
Now I really need good luck with this much going on. yikes!

 

[heartsong]

:shock: holy cow, that's a lot of soap! post some more pics when you get a chance...curious to see a mold that big! i'll keep my fingers crossed!

 

[Hazel]

I am still pretty new with this being batch 14, but I've been experimenting a lot with the others I've done. Never was one to go slow, so I researched a lot before my first batch. lol
I just need to calculate how much oil I'd need if I do say a 30% lye. I know to do the mold measurements and then .40 for 38% and .45 for 33% so thinking ..47 would be good for 30%?

Not sure I want to do 40% lye just yet.. the work 'volcano' scares me just a tad to actually slow me down. hahaha!

I'm not sure I understand this post. You don't need to calculate oils for the lye concentration. Which soap calculator are you using? On SoapCalc, just click the circle under #3 for lye concentration and type in 33. The water amount for a 33% lye concentration will be calculated for you.

 

[DeeAnna]

Hazel, she's trying to figure out how much oil she needs to make a recipe that will fill her 10 lb mold -- the less water she uses for her lye solution, the more oil she can use.

 

[jenneelk]

Oh I just mean that wouldn't I need to adjust my 'ounces' if I change the water amount?
I was told that's why when calculating how much a loaf will take for oils, you use either .40 or .45 to calculate depending on how much lye/water you use.
Sorry I'm likely not explaining this right.

But I guess I don't change and just have less water to evaporate later right? Oils stay the same for the loaf no matter how much the % for water is?

 

[sistrum]

To Heartsong, I'm with you on the feel of 100% olive oil soap. I do make it but it's not my personal fav. It's just that Jeneelk asked if she had to wait six months to TRY her soap and I didn't want her to think she had to just try it out.

 

[jenneelk]

Ok here is the beast! I want to give it away around Xmas and its family so they will know to wait a bit to use.
I ended up doing 65% EVOO, 20%CO, 10% mango (I love it) and 5% castor. Superfat was 5 but know higher with the bit of almond oil in the colors. Did layers and rows and spoon swirled this time until the top then I wanted a 'stripe' of sorts and a look if green leaf. Kinda got it I think.

Just fit in the oven with .5 in to spare. Like un gel look but guessing its best to gel this in the wood and being so much OO.
Thanks again for all the help. Excited as always to cut!!

 

[jenneelk]

Close up

 

[sistrum]

Looks great!

 

[heartsong]

GREAT JOB!!! you definitely have found your "soaping groove!" it looks like the Christmas ribbon candy.

 

[heartsong]

To Heartsong, I'm with you on the feel of 100% olive oil soap. I do make it but it's not my personal fav. It's just that Jeneelk asked if she had to wait six months to TRY her soap and I didn't want her to think she had to just try it out.

:idea: I gotcha...I missed that in her post! xx