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!

 

[Susan Cote]

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!

Helpful instruction, well done. I just started experimenting with pure soywax. Made my first batch lastnight. Did not attempt to add colorants on the first go. It's summer in New Zealand so had a warm room. In my studio 81f (27.5c.)
Was thinking summer is a very good time to make cp soap with soywax as an additive. Soy wax sparked my interest as a possible way to aid scent retension. It also brings a creamy element to cp soap. I used a green tea,lemongrass and lime for my eos. Smells devine . I used flower moulds for my fist attempt. Next I'll make a loaf so I can do a three color swirl. So glad I came across your post
Thank you!

 

[ScentimentallyYours]

Helpful instruction, well done. I just started experimenting with pure soywax. Made my first batch lastnight. Did not attempt to add colorants on the first go. It's summer in New Zealand so had a warm room. In my studio 81f (27.5c.)
Was thinking summer is a very good time to make cp soap with soywax as an additive. Soy wax sparked my interest as a possible way to aid scent retension. It also brings a creamy element to cp soap. I used a green tea,lemongrass and lime for my eos. Smells devine . I used flower moulds for my fist attempt. Next I'll make a loaf so I can do a three color swirl. So glad I came across your post
Thank you!

Glad the information helped you @Susan Cote. Please post a picture of your soap(s) so we can ooo and aah!

I followed the steps above for my Mount Saint Helens soap in the February Scrubby Soap Challenge. I mixed the batter and colors in used paper coffee cups, which meant they got a second use before getting tossed in the trash. Voila! Saved washing 10 containers during that soap session.

 

[Susan Cote]

Glad the information helped you @Susan Cote. Please post a picture of your soap(s) so we can ooo and aah!

I followed the steps above for my Mount Saint Helens soap in the February Scrubby Soap Challenge. I mixed the batter and colors in used paper coffee cups, which meant they got a second use before getting tossed in the trash. Voila! Saved washing 10 containers during that soap session.

Great idea! I usually save mine for starting seeds and a way to share the joy of growing your own! I love your idea as well. Anything to recycle and help out our beautiful earth I'm all in

 

[Susan Cote]

Great idea! I usually save mine for starting seeds and a way to share the joy of growing your own! I love your idea as well. Anything to recycle and help out our beautiful earth I'm all in

Oh and yes as I take out of the moukds I'll post. First one was nothing fancy