Did I mix at too hot of a temperature?

[Ozzietx]

This is only my second batch of soap.
I melted my oils in a double boiler.
I combined my lye solution and oil at around
110°. I divided into 4 colors and poured into the PVC mold. Once poured I wrapped the PVC with a heating pad on low for an hour.
It looks like it wanted to do a bit of volcano action. Do you think I combined my oil and lye solution too warm? Any other idea why it did this?

 

[AliensrReal]

110 isn’t bad. Maybe try room temperature. I’ve never soaped with a ovc mold so I don’t know how insulating they are.

 

[AliOop]

I don't think it was your soaping temp, or at least, not just that.

My PVC molds are super insulators. The soap often cracks at the top - and I soap with room temp lye solution and oils that are usually ~ 100ºF. If I added a heating pad, these soaps would probably volcano.

Try it without a heating pad next time.

 

[Ozzietx]

I don't think it was your soaping temp, or at least, not just that.

My PVC molds are super insulators. The soap often cracks at the top - and I soap with room temp lye solution and oils that are usually ~ 100ºF. If I added a heating pad, these soaps would probably volcano.

Try it without a heating pad next time.

Thank you for the input.
I will try it without the pad.

 

[lsg]

I agree, the soap super-heated in the mold.

 

[not_ally]

This probably has nothing to do with it, but how old is your GV shortening? I ask because I have been trying to find some of the GV lard/tallow shortening for almost six months and it has been sold out, including online, that whole time. I just assumed they had stopped making it. I know old oils speed trace, maybe if yours are on the oldish side they contributed to your volcano effect. Maybe try another oil mix with a new batch of lard?

 

[KiwiMoose]

Soaps cured in those PVC tubes always tend to overheat in my experience. So I agree with the others that it doesn't need extra insulation.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

This probably has nothing to do with it, but how old is your GV shortening? I ask because I have been trying to find some of the GV lard/tallow shortening for almost six months and it has been sold out, including online, that whole time. I just assumed they had stopped making it. I know old oils speed trace, maybe if yours are on the oldish side they contributed to your volcano effect. Maybe try another oil mix with a new batch of lard?

My local Walmart has it in stock, but it's out of stock for shipping. I guess I better stock up!

 

[not_ally]

That is annoying. I read somewhere that the GV one was mostly tallow, which I really wanted to use. After months of checking and only seeing the veggie GV shortening I finally gave up and ordered tallow from a soaping place, but it would be so much more convenient to get something locally. Darn these Southern California types and their crunchy ways - I can find tofu shiritaki noodles at my local grocery store but no tallow shortening.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

That is annoying. I read somewhere that the GV one was mostly tallow, which I really wanted to use. After months of checking and only seeing the veggie GV shortening I finally gave up and ordered tallow from a soaping place, but it would be so much more convenient to get something locally. Darn these Southern California types and their crunchy ways - I can find tofu shiritaki noodles at my local grocery store but no tallow shortening.

I have heard of shiitake noodles but doubt I can buy them in my not crunchy county! The tallow-lard shortening makes nice soap, very white and very smooth. I use a custom profile for the sap, based on this paper exercise.

 

[not_ally]

I saw that thread when I was researching GV shortening, it is one of the reasons I wanted to use it! Will cross my fingers it becomes available on line eventually. I even called them months ago to ask if they knew it would be, they had no idea. That is a pretty soap. Mine doesn't come out that white, even with 65% lard and no olive.

 

[Ozzietx]

This probably has nothing to do with it, but how old is your GV shortening? I ask because I have been trying to find some of the GV lard/tallow shortening for almost six months and it has been sold out, including online, that whole time. I just assumed they had stopped making it. I know old oils speed trace, maybe if yours are on the oldish side they contributed to your volcano effect. Maybe try another oil mix with a new batch of lard?

I don’t know how to determine when it was packed. Here is a photo of the date on the bottom of the can.
I also picked up another can, and the date is about a month newer. I’m assuming that they are still making it.

 

[Ozzietx]

I also forgot to post a photo of the finished, cut soap. I really didn’t put a lot of effort into a pattern, just poured colored soap into the mold. Next batch I will try harder for a pattern.

 

[lsg]

Wow, love the way the soap looks!

 

[Shelley D]

I also forgot to post a photo of the finished, cut soap. I really didn’t put a lot of effort into a pattern, just poured colored soap into the mold. Next batch I will try harder for a pattern.

Neat marbling

 

[Ozzietx]

Wow, love the way the soap looks!

Thank you

 

[not_ally]

That is a great result. If you can remember how you did it you can make a video and be the creator of the next great swirl craze

 

[Ozzietx]

That is a great result. If you can remember how you did it you can make a video and be the creator of the next great swirl craze

It’s really simple. I mixed orange, black, grey and white. Poured small amounts into the mold, just like you would pour for a pull through design. A little orange, a little black, a little grey, a little white, repeat until you use all of your batter. Bang it on the counter to attempt to remove any air bubbles. That’s really all there is to it.