Doubling or tripling recipes
- Thread starter Cal43
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You need to run it through a soap calculator. My normal batch is 59 oz of oils so if I want to make 3 molds worth I enter 177 ounces.
I am another who recommends running a recipe through a soap recipe calculator if you want to change the batch size.
For one thing, if it's someone else's recipe, you can enter the fats per their recipe, and then you can choose the superfat and lye concentration that you prefer so the overall recipe is more to your liking. The calc will ensure the numbers you use are correct for your recipe.
Even if you know the base recipe is correct, if you simply multiply the weights in the recipe times 2 (or whatever) to make a different sized batch, this will introduce rounding error. While this error may not be enough to affect your numbers, you don't know that for sure. Resizing the batch in a calc reduces this problem.
For one thing, if it's someone else's recipe, you can enter the fats per their recipe, and then you can choose the superfat and lye concentration that you prefer so the overall recipe is more to your liking. The calc will ensure the numbers you use are correct for your recipe.
Even if you know the base recipe is correct, if you simply multiply the weights in the recipe times 2 (or whatever) to make a different sized batch, this will introduce rounding error. While this error may not be enough to affect your numbers, you don't know that for sure. Resizing the batch in a calc reduces this problem.
dixiedragon
Well-Known Member
Always keep the total weight in mind. Soap is caustic and hot. Make sure you won't be struggling with a pot that is too heavy or too full.
Or moving too fast. I can deal with a small recipe that accelorates much easier than a big one.
dixiedragon
Well-Known Member
Very true! A large batch is going to hold on to the heat better, so it might behave differently. If possible, it can be helpful to have another person, gloved up and ready, standing by, especially if you are jumping up from a 1 log (about 2 lbs of oils) to a 3 or 4 log batch.
jcandleattic
Well-Known Member
I agree with others, run it through a soap calc. This is a great reason to be able to read/understand recipes in %.
Easier to adjust the size IMO.
Easier to adjust the size IMO.
atiz
Well-Known Member
The amount of SF seems to vary very much from person to person: some like it very low (1-3%), some like it 5-8%, some higher. But I would consider 20% to be very high (good for salt bars and maybe other very high % CO soaps). The default on soap calc is 5%, and that seems to be a pretty common value. (I guess I fall on the low end of the spectrum, usually 2-3%.) More experienced soapers will tell you more
No, 20% is way too high for anything but salt soap made with at least 80% CO. I SF most my soaps at 4-6%. Depends on how much CO is in a recipe.
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