Craters on top of the soap

[sperry]

Don't know what else to call them. Dips on the top surface of the soap. I figured air bubbles IN the soap that came to the top. So I poured slower and slower and slower until the last batch, where I'm sure the bottom was hardening while I was still pouring. The craters are smaller, (almost acceptable, in fact) but still in evidence. How do I prevent it? Thanks

 

[Lindy]

Picture?

 

[sperry]

Is there a way to do it via my phone camera? It's the only one I have. But I think they wouldn't show very well, if at all, with a pic. The soap is white, and the craters are only like 1 or 2 mm deep. Crater is a pretty accurate word. Like someone pressed their thumb into them. Only the shapes are more random.

 

[SmallThings]

Sounds very weird. I would ask what type/shape of mold are you using? And since you mentioned bubbles, do you know to spray the surface with rubbing alcohol after you pour?

 

[sperry]

I'm using a home made mold I designed. Made from HDPE. Holds 4 rectangular bars, roughly 3X2X1. So... roughly a pound. My first batches sagged horribly in the middle. I figured it was some heat differential thing, and insulated the mold after pouring (even though I've never heard of anyone doing it with M&P). That 99% solved the sagging problem... and that is when the craters started. It HAS to be air, right? I figured it was air trapped IN the soap that was rising to the top, so I poured VERY slowly (it was hardening on the bottom by the time I was done pouring). The craters diminished, but have not disappeared. Thanks for any light you can shed on this. (I know about tiny bubbles and alcohol... thanks.)

 

[SmallThings]

hm... since it gets better when you pour slowly, have you tried pouring maybe 1/2 or 3/4 and letting it set up completely, then pouring the rest?

 

[sperry]

then I'd probably get two layers... each with craters...lol. I am going to run a few more tests. I think if I completely (and slowly) fill one cell before going to the next, that will do the trick. Hope so, anyway.

 

[sugarsmack]

I’ve never had this happen before! What could be the reason please!?

 

[ScentimentallyYours]

Hi @sugarsmack, these posts are over 12 years old with no pics, considered a dead thread here on SMF. Please go to the thread for introductions and tell us who you are, and better yet, post some pictures of your soap!