NEASoapWorks
Well-Known Member
First off, I wanted to post this here, for other newbies. Don't be afraid of botched batches. While I don't plan on having a lot of them, I didn't expect that every batch would pass — it happens with soap veterans, as well. So, just go with it. Life goes on. It's just soap.So, I'll show my "Botched Beauty"
Intro: At first glance, you may think you're looking at a batch of Rice Krispie Treats! Yummy! But sorry, that's not what you're looking at. You're looking at my attempt at a "Butter Bar", made with 20% mango butter, and buttermilk powder. My recipe was tight, and everything was going quite well. I hand-stirred the batch and all was well....until I added the "Fig Lychee" FO. I hate that stuff, I tell ya'!
As soon as I started stirring, I saw the end of my good dream...
The batter turned grainy, and as I continued to stir, it morphed into a pot of rice/pea-like clumps, surrounded by oily separation. Woe was me!
I still poured it in the mold, cuz I wanted to see what it would end up looking like. My newbie guess as to what caused the problem? The soap batter was too warm. I should have soaped at the much cooler end of the scale — around 90 degrees. I was around 108. I noticed the warmth coming from the pot — which I'm sure was due to the buttermilk powder (whisked into the oils, before the lye water was added).
I will try this recipe again, though, cuz I think it'll be wonderful!
Lookie!
