First batch of CP

[uplandermom]

I am going to attempt my first batch of CP soap tonight.

I have a mold that holds four pounds of soap, so, I want to make certain I have this correct, so all feedback will be very much appreciated.

If I use 64 oz. of oils, that will give me a four pound batch, correct?

And I add my essential or fragrance oils and additives like oatmeal once my soap begins to trace, right?

 

[sarahjane]

From what little knowledge I have.... yes on both. But don't be surprised if someone has a different answer. I have only made three batches. Ha Ha!!! I use a 1lb mold and use 16 oz of oils. Multiply 16 by 4 and you get 64. I have added everything at trace and have had no problems!

 

[uplandermom]

How did you measure your oils?

Did you melt them down first or measure them as solids?? Does it matter??

 

[Lane]

Don't forget about your water! When you say 64 ounces of oil, does that include your lye/water solution? The first couple of times I made soap, I did not consider this and over flowed my molds :x

 

[sarahjane]

I didn't melt my oils, I just whipped them at room temperature. I did the RTCP method and it works awesome! I made my lye solution early and let it sit for about an hour, maybe a little less. While it was cooling I measured all of my other ingredients and whipped my oils.

Lane,
I didn't realize that. My oils add up to 16oz and that doesn't include my lye water solution. I haven't had a problem with over flowing yet. Maybe it depends on the mold your using. I have one of Paul's Tog molds, maybe he makes his to account for the lye solution??? Paul...help?

 

[Lane]

Ya know, I have never been able to figure out the whole water addition into the whole oil equation thing... :?

I mix 29 oz of oil, 1oz of FO, about 9 oz of water and about 3.5 oz of lye. (I run my oils through a lye calc and get more exact numbers...) I come out with eight perfect one inch, five ounce bars... *shrugs*

That some good math science for ya right there....

 

[NEASoapWorks]

CP

I made my first CP batch of soap, using the traditional method. I continue to use that method, but....

I would highly recommend (it's only a recommendation) that you try your first batch, the traditional way, but that's how I generally do things: If it's new, I do the basic way first, then I work on shortcuts and enhancements — RTCP is a shortcut.

Now, I did deviate from the "rule" that you should only try a "simple" recipe, the first time. I'd do the same thing again. But I kept the process basic. No shortcuts.

As far as what I do? I measure my hard oils in a glass bowl, and I measure my liquid oils in a stainless steel pot. I melt down my hard oils and add them to the liquid oils in the pot.

 

[sarahjane]

Hey, whatever works, right?? Ha Ha! It's funny, I never even considered adding my water and lye amounts into my total for some reason. It just shows how scatter brained I am!

 

[uplandermom]

I am figuring 64 oz. of oils, 9.25 oz. lye, and 22.98 oz of water for my recipe..

I am doing a lemongrass soap.

 

[Lane]

I am figuring 64 oz. of oils, 9.25 oz. lye, and 22.98 oz of water for my recipe..

I am doing a lemongrass soap.

That would give you about six pounds of soap before cure... If your mold is exactly four pounds....you might have trouble with it fitting??

 

[sarahjane]

That sounds yummy! Good luck and have fun!

 

[uplandermom]

CP

Ok...you're right...I see it now.

I so wish I'd paid attention in Math class.

 

[Lane]

Haha... I hate math! That was one of the best parts about getting a good feel for CP, your numbers just become embedded in your head and you no longer need the calc!

Good luck with your batch!

 

[Barb]

if you need help in fiquring out how much soap a mold will hold this is how ya do it, ( sounds like a song don't it and i sound like my 4 yr old gs talking, geesh)

well any who.

dimensions of your mold ( this is an example of my log mold )

it's 18 inches long, 2.5 high and 3.5 wide.

so 2.5x3.5x18x.40 = 63 oz. of oils that plus the lye liquid, fragrance oil and any other additives i throw in there fit, ( roughly 85 to 86ish ounces depending on what additives if any i add)

barb



giving me 18 one inch slices of soap that weigh out of the mold