I promptly felt that hot processed soap making was much faster in gauging the soap quality because of less curing time when compared to cold process where one has to wait for 3-4 weeks.
This is a common soap myth. HP soap has to cure the same as CP soap - in some cases maybe longer. There is more happening in the cure process than just water evaporation. Just because a good portion of water is cooked off in HP does not negate the need for a proper cure time.
One of the other reasons that made me take sides with the cold process is because of not using glycerin in it.
Glycerin is a natural byproduct of saponification. CP and HP soaps will both have glycerin naturally without having it added. Most soapmakers do not add glycerin to their soaps, unless using glycerin for mixing colors.
Secondly, the hot process does not allow you to add herbal extracts in the soap that has therapeutic properties. While, the cold process allows you to add herbal Ayurveda extracts in making the best soap with amazing skin benefits.
You can add many additional ingredients to HP, it's a different step in the process, and maybe more difficult [depending on the adjunct] but you can add specifically herbal extracts. In fact adding them to HP after the cook may be more beneficial than adding to CP as there is minimal lye exposure to destroy the extract properties.
Thirdly, it is more of a fun to try different formulations with hard and soft oils
You can do this with HP too. Really the only difference between HP and CP recipes is a higher amount of water used in HP.
After reading and thinking about your comments made here... I wonder if you have HP confused with Melt and Pour (MP) soaps.
MP soaps are made using a base (can be bought or made), melting it down and adding colors, fragrance, etc. It sets up completely within a few hours (depending on size of the mold) and can be used within a few hours or days.
HP (Hot Process) soaps are made by cooking together the oils and lye solution until the mixture has saponified (no longer zaps) and fragrance, color, etc is then added before placing into a mold. Once cooled it is then cut and cured for 4-6 weeks before use.
CP (Cold Process) soaps are made by combining oils and lye until the mixture is emulsified/traced, fragrance and color etc is added and it is poured into a mold. The saponification process takes place in the mold over the next 24 hours. When firm it is cut and cured for 4-6 weeks before use.
Good advice. Also, take time with the prep. I set out 6 small bowls. Warmed the oils and put a little oil (1-2 Tbls?) in each of the bowls. Added a teaspoon of mica to each and stirred well. Then added the lye to the rest of the oils and brought to emulsion stage. I mixed one layer at a time, to allow it to set a bit before adding the next color. I spritzed lightly with alcohol between layers. HAVE FUN!
