Desiccants (silica gel packets) for curing /drying soaps faster ?

[max_ime]

Desiccants (silica gel packets) for curing /drying soaps faster ? Does it work? anyone tried something similar?

 

[Susie]

There is more going on than drying during cure. There are some chemical changes taking place also. There is a discussion going on:

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=45680

 

[Tienne]

I wouldn't rush the cure time. Soap needs the time it needs. Try to cheat on it and you'll only cheat yourself out of getting the best the soap can be. As the song goes, "You can't hurry love, no you just have to wait."

 

[grayceworks]

As has been mentioned, it's not just about letting it dry, there's chemical changes going on for several weeks, which cause the bar to become milder, lather better, and just overall become a better bar of soap.

Additionally, rushing the drying process can cause uneven drying, warping, cracking, etc.

 

[seven]

I have a few dehumidifier placed on my curing racks coz it's so bloody humid in here. Esp now during the rainy season, it's useful, otherwise my soaps are wet.

 

[grayceworks]

Right, but regulating the humidity to a more normal amount is different than using it to make things dry faster than they normally would. I've tried using a dehydrator before -- warped and cracked the bars. And they still lathered a lot better after waiting several weeks more. So it didn't save any time. Just made the soap ugly lol.

 

[lsg]

If you do want the moisture to evaporate faster, you can add about 1 tsp. PPO. to the water before adding the lye.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

If you do want the moisture to evaporate faster, you can add about 1 tsp. PPO. to the water before adding the lye.

One tsp. PPO of what?