First Botched Batch. Can it be saved?

[Syndiluhu]

I am a pretty new soaper and had my first batch with real problems last night. Everything was fine right up until it traced and I added Spirulina and a Sea moss FO. It instantly started to get lumps in it like gravy. I'm assuming the FO caused it to separate... I poured it into the mold anyway and hoped for the best. Today I cut it open and sure enough there are little pockets of oozing oil.

My question is, can I save this by rebatching? Also, I've had trouble getting rebatched soap to come out of the molds. Can I just remelt it and pour back into a loaf pan and then cut it again?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Syndi

 

[southernvtsoap]

Yes, it can be rebatched. This is how I do it:
I use a salad shooter to grate the fresh soap (a food processor will work, too, or you can just cut it into small chnunks). Then I put it in a microwave safe bowl and zap it on high a couple times - just for a minute or so and stir in between. I don't add any additional liquid. Once it is all melted I hit it with my stick blender just to smooth it out, then pour into my molds. If you are worried about it sticking, you can always line your mold - I use freezer paper but saran wrap or even a garbage bag will work. let it set up, and then slice & cure as usual.

 

[gekko62]

Hi Syndi. Sounds like you experienced ricing.Happens with some fo's & eo's.As soon as the fo hits it gets little grainy lumps in it?I've only had it happen with rose geranium eo,adding the fo to yr oils before adding lye solves the ricing,but distinct possibility you'll then have a faster trace than usual.At least that's manageable! :wink:

 

[honor435]

adding fos to the oil doesnt always work either. At least it didnt for me. Try adding your fo at a thin trace, all trace means is that oils are mixed with lye/water, it is amazing how thin your batter can be and still be fine, it doesnt have to leave spoon trails, that is a myth. Some fos are just bad! I would remelt the whole thing and put back in mold, you can line with contact paper(shelf liner), it works great. good luck. Have you ever tried hp, then you never have to worry about fos acting up.

 

[Syndiluhu]

Thanks for the info!

What you described as ricing is exactly what happened. It kind of freaked me out.

I just remelted and poured and it looks like it will turn out okay. I'd never heard of using the microwave....It worked really well.

Thanks again.
Syndi