Differences between CP and HP

[danielle22033]

I have tried both but seem to favour the HP because I am an instant gratification kind of person. I was wondering if I could get some feedback of pros and cons for both types?

Thanks a lot

 

[VanessaP]

Pros for CP: intricate swirling and other designs are loads easier to attain, testing multiple scents from one batch of soap is easier because the raw soap batter is much easier to pour out and measure than big glops of cooked soap. Many many soapers prefer CP. Then you get into the debate of which CP is better: gelled or ungelled. Personally, I prefer gelled CP. However, I don't make CP very often.

Pros for HP: Fragrances that behave badly in CP are perfect for HP. You can also generally use less fragrance for HP than you would for CP. You ensure saponification is complete before adding in your scents/colors and molding.

I would mention the cure time of HP being a pro, however, I still cure my HP 3-4 weeks because it does get a lot milder with a cure time. Honestly. From your next batch of HP, take a small sliver the day after you make it, try it, then toss the sliver out. Don't try that soap again for 1 month. The difference is astounding I know a lot of people argue that HP is ready to go the next day and while technically it is ready, I personally don't like fresh soap, HP or CP.

 

[danielle22033]

thanks a lot for the reply, that helps a lot. I guess I will have to give CP more of a chance so that I can eventually see the differences too. Not to mention making tons of different soaps and using them all over a short period of time, isn't going to let me see the qualities of them all.

Thanks again

 

[kazmi]

My first two batches were HP. Since then I've only been doing CP but that doesn't mean I'll never do HP again. I just think CP is a little easier since you're not having to keep an eye on the crock pot. And I think the overall time it takes to do both from start to finish, CP takes a little less time depending on how long it takes to 'cook' your hp soap.

 

[Lotus]

Yes, I enjoy CP. I remember once attempting HP, a long time ago, and was so discouraged about the ending texture, that I just treated it like a CP, and poured it early.

I think CP makes a prettier bar (although, was it mark the box guy?, has some pretty awesome HP soaps, going on). I think CP takes less time to do (if you are not stirring by hand), and it feels like a more pleasing experience.

Like Vanessa said, if you're going to cure for the same amount of time, anyway (which I agree with), why not go for CP?

 

[hoegarden]

sometimes.. a little wait is worth it for the result you get... especially for pretty soaps..

 

[danielle22033]

I definitely do not wait to use my hp. Well I wait until it is hard then take a little chunk for the shower after I am able to cut it. I love love love, hp because I can use it right away. In my opinion it is faster. Sure you have to wait an hour but by the next day I can use the soap if I want.

 

[VanessaP]

Pretty is in the eye of the beholder.

Personally, I don't like a lot of intricate embeds or the really spiky textured tops or a massive number of colors in my soaps. I've seen soapers who do like 1 inch deep textured tops on their soap and all I can think of is chopping the lot of that off before using it because I felt like it would grab my fingers and never let go. I find the 4-5-6 color swirls to be just too busy for my taste.

Just because its hot process doesn't mean it can't be beautiful, its just cooked CP

 

[Lotus]

You can really use CP in a few days as well. Granted, you don't want to sell it or give it away that soon, but you can use it. And you can see what sort of a bar it will be pretty early on, most of the time.

 

[MrKleen]

I want to try HP, why is there no HP forums? We have CP and M&P. Good day!

 

[paillo]

So many of us alternate between HP and CP - really not many differences in the process, but many similarities. I would guess that too many forums are going to really blur the lines. CP and MP are extremely different, thus the separated forums. Please feel free to ask any questions in the CP forum, you will be most welcome!

 

[danielle22033]

What is MP?

 

[mariflo]

What is MP?

MP = Melt and Pour

 

[Lumbini]

I love HP soap making. It is great to be able to use the soap right away. I still dry the bars so that they last longer. Also, since the saponification is complete at the end of cooking, when you add botanicals, EOs, and butters you don't have to worry about it reacting with lye or changing due to high pH. I also like the way my HP soap looks. I don't have too much space where I live, so it is convenient that I do not have to leave bars out for a couple of weeks or more to cure. I am new to soap making so I have not tried other methods yet. When I have more time/space I will try CP soap. I really want to try out some of those pretty swirls and layers. They look so beautiful!