Castorfan HP slow oven cool project

[Guest]

I'm happy with the experiment of letting HP cool gradually in
the oven. Here is the soap in oven and after cooling. Not much
change at all: no warping, no sunken center, all good.

I found only 2 air spaces (bubbles) in the entire log when I sliced it. Next time I HP, I will add more liquid just before the pour.
I think it's a matter of moisture/oil after "no zap" rather
than before, to create the swirls on top that I'm after.

I re-calculated my recipe to save the SF to add at the end of cook--add just before pouring into mold. Can't wait to see how that works.

This is my basic recipe with Peak Coconut Milk FO. I'll round the edges
later.

 

[Milla]

Wow! That looks so great! I love how you overfill your mold and get the swirly top. It does not look like HP at all. I wish I could smell it. It looks so creamy! I love HP in the shower. I just make soap for myself and love it when I can use it right away.

 

[Guest]

Your soap looks fantastic , it does not look like hp at all . I think you are on to something here . Well done

Kitn

 

[cwayneu]

Looks great. Nice work.

 

[Guest]

That looks wonderful CF. Yummy....I love coconut scent too!
What are the dimensions of your bars? My log mold is 2-3/4 inches high, and I don't overfill or the slices end up too heavy. I like to cut them about 1 inch thick. Yours look fab though!

 

[heartsong]

x

sweet looking soapies! :shock:

great job, and nicely done packaging!

how's the f/o holding up? i've given up on coconut f/o's-they always morph or dissappear!

 

[Guest]

Heartsong is here! Cool beans!

I haven't done coconut before, so I don't know how it holds up.
Even though it's HP, I used 4 oz. FO for 3#batch.
Sounds to me like it's an illusive FO huh? ... like true orange?
I'm hoping HP gives it a chance. Right now, it's good - 1 day old. LOL

Juicy, to tell the truth, I'm not concerned about bar weight right now.
I have 2 sizes of molds, but this one makes bars
2.5 x 3.25 and as high as I can mound 'em.

I know when a person sells soap, weight is important.
Just so you never over-state the weight, you'll be safe.
It's always best to UNDER-state it.

Besides, if I whip soap -- it makes it lighter, so I never know about weight.

 

[Bnky]

Wow Castor...that looks very creamy & love the label!

 

[Guest]

Wow Castor...that looks very creamy & love the label!

Thanks, y'all -- and thankyou Bnky.... I make soap so I'll
have something to put my labels on! LOL

 

[Guest]

The labels are so great CF. If you don't sell, do label them for giving away or just for the photos? Either way - I love them!

 

[Guest]

The labels are so great CF. If you don't sell, do label them for giving away or just for the photos? Either way - I love them!

Thanks. I don't sell, but everyone always asks: "What's in it?"
So, I always label and shrink-wrap the soap I give away.
I figure it's good practice if I ever want to sell.
Lately, I started putting a date on the back of the label, but it
doesn't look like a date to anyone unless they think hard about it: 09202009

 

[holly99]

Wow, great!

How did you re-calc for the SF at the end? Do you reduce percentage on soapcalc and then just figure it to add at the end?

You're using SL right? What water amount have you decided on?

 

[holly99]

Ok, nevermind on the SF calculations, I see there is a thread on it already.

 

[ChrissyB]

Castor what is your HP method?
Is this CPOP????

 

[Guest]

Castor what is your HP method?
Is this CPOP????

Not sure what CPOP is.

I melt oils/fats in microwave and put in warm Crock pot, cook from
there.
Save the SF to add last after no-zap.
Cool to 160 before adding FO
Added 3 T. water to last batch and still not smooth enough to suit me,
but I wanted to see the soap (if it was soft or whatever) before I added
more water. The soap was hard as ever, so I'm going to add more water
at the end next time -- maybe diluted goat milk at the end. Any watery
liquid would work. That would be a good thing for people to do with all the
infusions I see going around the forum.

I'm a long way from the "Swirly HP Top" I want, but making baby steps.

 

[Billie]

That is so smooth looking! Looks great.

 

[holly99]

I melt oils/fats in microwave and put in warm Crock pot, cook from
there.
Save the SF to add last after no-zap.
Cool to 160 before adding FO
Added 3 T. water to last batch and still not smooth enough to suit me,
but I wanted to see the soap (if it was soft or whatever) before I added
more water. The soap was hard as ever, so I'm going to add more water
at the end next time -- maybe diluted goat milk at the end. Any watery
liquid would work. That would be a good thing for people to do with all the
infusions I see going around the forum.

I'm a long way from the "Swirly HP Top" I want, but making baby steps.

I know on another thread you've been talking about adding special oils at the end for SF. Are you thinking you'd add the extra water at the end too? And would you discount that amount from the lye solution?

Also, the infusion as a SF sounds cool.

 

[Guest]

I know on another thread you've been talking about adding special oils at the end for SF. Are you thinking you'd add the extra water at the end too? And would you discount that amount from the lye solution?
Also, the infusion as a SF sounds cool.

I added the SF at the end, but that didn't loosen the mixture up enough.
I made the soap at 38% water. Used 3 T. additional water at end, but that wasn't enough to loosen it up. I was afraid to add more water because I
didn't want soft soap---it would shrink and warp during cure. I want to see what this batch does that has 3 T water at the end and if it's okay -- I'll be
brave and add more water at the end -- next time.

 

[holly99]

Please keep us up to date on your testing!

 

[Ishbel]

Castorfan - whats happened to your picture and info? looks wierd to me,hope its not your experimentation!!