Castorfan trying HP

[Guest]

I'm trying my current recipe as HP and learning a lot.
I have one question though:
When you pour HP into the mold, does it help to put the mold in the oven?
I did so with one batch (170 degree preheat, then turn heat off) and that
batch seemed to have fewer air spaces.

I also learned not to try and spread the soap as I pour it.
That makes more air spaces.
It's better to pour the hot soap in "one area" and let it spread out
on its own, then bang the mold when I'm finished. (unless someone tells
me another way to try)

The left one is Milk and Honey soap with Peak Wild Mtn. Honey.
The right one is just soap with Peak Baby Powder.
I have a headache from fragrances.
Used 1 oz. ppo for this and it's way too much.
.5 oz. ppo for HP is more like it, huh?

Oh yeah, I'm using 1 T. ppo sodium lactate
and 1 T. granulated sugar ppo with 38% water.
I mound the mold, because HP seems to "sink"

So, how do people get the smooth swirls on top of HP?
Is it a matter of the amount of water in the recipe?
Is it a matter of how much liquid oil (olive, etc) in the recipe?

Any other HP tips would be appreciated.

 

[LJA]

I don't do HP at all, so I can't offer help but your soap is very nice!

 

[heartsong]

x

nice job!

i'm still a h/p wannabe!

 

[GrumpyOldWoman]

nice!
they look so smooth and shiny!

 

[Guest]

Beautiful soap you made there. , I can't help you though , I've only tried hp a few times.

 

[Guest]

Very nice soap! so smooth. I've heard warming the mould helps but I never bother and my mould is too big now anyways. I've never used sodium lactate before but 38% water is fine. I usually use 36%. As for fragrance, HP doesn't kill it off as much as CP so a little goes a long way. I want to get into fancy swirls on the top myself. I guess it's just down to experimentation.

 

[Guest]

Very nice soap! so smooth. I've heard warming the mould helps but I never bother and my mould is too big now anyways. I've never used sodium lactate before but 38% water is fine. I usually use 36%. As for fragrance, HP doesn't kill it off as much as CP so a little goes a long way. I want to get into fancy swirls on the top myself. I guess it's just down to experimentation.

Thanks for the tips.
"In search of swirls" is in the crock pot as we speak.
Maybe I messed up, but I increased water to 40% for this batch.
If this doesn't work, I'll put water back to 38% and substitute some
slow-tracing liquid oil in my recipe.
If that doesn't work ????

 

[heyjude]

I think that your tops look nice. I wouldn't change them!

Jude

 

[Guest]

I think that your tops look nice. I wouldn't change them!

Jude

Thank you. I've never been one to "leave well enough alone." LOL

The battery in my thermometer is dead and with the increased water
batch I think I "had it" except I didn't let the soap cool off enough
before pouring it "patience has never been one of virtures either" LOL

NEXT TIME, I think I'll have it. Increased water also increased the cook
time -- plus, if I wait for the soap to cool more before pouring.
Time will tell.

In the meantime, I have a very ugly chocolate mint swirl. LOL

Ever oneward...

 

[Rosey]

they look pretty CF!

 

[fireweed]

Personally I like the "artisan" look of HP and rebatched soap. I have no idea how you might get it to swirl, certainly more water would help but then your bar would be too soft!

What made you decide to go for HP?

I do like that HP soap uses less EO than CP...

And if you don't mind me asking, what is your favourite thing about castor oil (if that is what your name is referring to, in the context of soap of course!) I just bought 5 litres of the stuff to experiment with :0

 

[Guest]

Personally I like the "artisan" look of HP and rebatched soap. I have no idea how you might get it to swirl, certainly more water would help but then your bar would be too soft!

What made you decide to go for HP?

I do like that HP soap uses less EO than CP...

And if you don't mind me asking, what is your favourite thing about castor oil (if that is what your name is referring to, in the context of soap of course!) I just bought 5 litres of the stuff to experiment with :0

Wow -- castor oil is one reason I'm trying HP.
Some of the recipes I like have a tendency for "instant trace."
HP doesn't care, since the soap melts anyway (and yes, less FO).
In other words, I can use recipes for HP that won't work CP.
My soap HP is harder, quicker than the same soap CP.

Castor oil?
Well, I consider coconut the King of soapmaking oils and castor
oil the Queen.
Big bubbles, a skin-conditioning feel and a smooth textured bar.

Castor is a sly fox too. Use too much and you end up with a soft, sticky bar of soap. In some recipes, 3% is too much. Other oil combinations can handle 15% castor. Stearic acid also
helps the soap tolerate more castor. I'll never tire of experimenting with
it. You'll be amazed at the big, fat bubbles! Use some palm oil to make
those big, fat bubbles last longer before they disappear.