Batter solidified within minutes (recipe test)

[GinangO]

Hi My first thread I've been testing different recipes using alternative oils. For this batch, my battered solidified so quick while I'm preparing the FOs. I decided to transfer it to my crockpot (has gelled now as I type this). Posting my recipe below and the ff notes if it helps:

- I attempted to soap at <100F
- I added 3% SL to lye water
- After it solidified I tried to do a double boiler thinking it will soften it but it didn't

I have a feeling I should have done higher temp or perhaps could it be a lot of soy wax? I appreciate your thoughts/inputs!

 

[lsg]

It is possible that you used too much soybean wax in the recipe. That along with SL might present a problem. With wax, you might add it at the end of a light trace or stable emulsion. Wax hardens quickly, so a high temp. might be advisable.

 

[ScentimentallyYours]

Did you use a stick blender @GinangO? Here’s what I do with success. Maybe the steps will help you identify what went wrong.

• All my separate colors are prepared first in separate containers.
• I use fresh oils for soap designs, because old oils can accelerate trace.
• I use 15% soy wax, which means I need to soap at around 120 degrees F when all oils are still clear, prior to adding the warm Lye mixture.
• I add a nonaccelerating fragrance oil to the blended oils.
• I no longer use a stick blender for combining oils and lye. Instead, I stir by hand with a whisk until reaching emulsion or very light trace.
• At emulsion, the batter is poured into prepared cups and stirred with a spoon until colors are uniform.
• Once all batters are prepared, I proceed with the design.
• It helps to have all containers and even the soap molds warmed up if the room is very cold.

Hope this helps you troubleshoot your process!

 

[GinangO]

Did you use a stick blender @GinangO? Here’s what I do with success. Maybe the steps will help you identify what went wrong.

• All my separate colors are prepared first in separate containers.
• I use fresh oils for soap designs, because old oils can accelerate trace.
• I use 15% soy wax, which means I need to soap at around 120 degrees F when all oils are still clear, prior to adding the warm Lye mixture.
• I add a nonaccelerating fragrance oil to the blended oils.
• I no longer use a stick blender for combining oils and lye. Instead, I stir by hand with a whisk until reaching emulsion or very light trace.
• At emulsion, the batter is poured into prepared cups and stirred with a spoon until colors are uniform.
• Once all batters are prepared, I proceed with the design.
• It helps to have all containers and even the soap molds warmed up if the room is very cold.

Hope this helps you troubleshoot your process!

Yes I used a stick blender, initially just hand stirred but even with that it started to thicken but I was afraid it will just be a false trace so I used the blender pulsing for about 20 secs but it has gotten really thick already. I would probably need to adjust my soy wax % too. I appreciate all the tips! I'll take note of this and will do another attempt tonight

 

[GinangO]

It is possible that you used too much soybean wax in the recipe. That along with SL might present a problem. With wax, you might add it at the end of a light trace or stable emulsion. Wax hardens quickly, so a high temp. might be advisable.

Yes that could be a factor too. I think I'll have to keep my soy wax under 15%, and try this time without SL. I used it because I originally do HP and always use SL as I like my batter fluid. However this is my first time using it in CP as I read it here it helps with lather. But I'll do more experimentations Even with trial and error the process excites me lol!