First Mica Attempt

[Kcryss]

I have a few sample mica packets, wasn't going to use them and finally decided last night that it might be fun.

It was fun ... until everything got too hard to get it into the mold. It isn't too bad, for the most part. My loaf is really wonky looking but I was able to grab a few from one end that aren't too bad.

Maybe next time I'll stick to one color. It's supposed to be gold mica and purple. Can't really even tell there is gold mica.

 

[Dawni]

Perhaps you over blended? I had the same problem with one time I tried micas... I mixed way too much coz I wasn't sure the colors were getting mixed properly and ended up way past thick trace.

Could be also you cut too soon? But yknow what, I think even if it isn't gold looking that color combo is nice (always reminds me of the Lakers, hence I'm reminded of Kobe Bryant just now) and your layers are pretty

 

[Kcryss]

Thanks @Dawni!
Yes, I think I over stirred and then didn't keep it warm enough while pouring. Will try using a water bath next time for the batter to sit in while pouring.

 

[TheGecko]

It was fun ... until everything got too hard to get it into the mold. It isn't too bad, for the most part. My loaf is really wonky looking but I was able to grab a few from one end that aren't too bad. Maybe next time I'll stick to one color. It's supposed to be gold mica and purple. Can't really even tell there is gold mica.

I've never heard of any Mica causing acceleration,; it could simply be that you overblended. Gold tends to be more yellow than 'gold' depending on how much you use.

Yes, I think I over stirred and then didn't keep it warm enough while pouring. Will try using a water bath next time for the batter to sit in while pouring.

I soap at lower temps and have never had my batter accelerate. For layers, you want a medium trace so you aren't waiting forever for the layers to set up, especially if you are wanting to texture each layer.

 

[Kcryss]

I've never heard of any Mica causing acceleration,; it could simply be that you overblended. Gold tends to be more yellow than 'gold' depending on how much you use.

I soap at lower temps and have never had my batter accelerate. For layers, you want a medium trace so you aren't waiting forever for the layers to set up, especially if you are wanting to texture each layer.

The previous batch, which I didn't color, turned brown before my very eyes after adding the milk/sugar/aloe mixture. I didn't check the temp ... big lesson learned there. Was probably around 180 at the time, maybe a little less. So with this batch, I waited until it was down to 140 before adding those ingredients. Thinking I waited too long, just didn't want to watch it turn carmel colored again. Also could have been that by the time I added the ingredients, they had cooled down too much. Will have to watch that going forward as well.

Sooo much to learn! But I figure I will get it right sooner or later. I'll just keep trying until I do!

I do hot process so was also watching closer for no zap as I believe I've been overcooking.

 

[Kcryss]

For some very strange reason I have felt compelled to try rebatching soap. Maybe I've just heard a lot about and have never done it. I am a bit hard headed at times and have this morbid compulsion to learn everything the hard way. Sooo ... grating this stuff up and re-melting. It has holes everywhere and already separates between the colors. I assume this is due to how hard it was getting when trying to get it into the mold. My kids and grandkids will end up with it either way. Guess I'll probably avoid giving these to the neighbors though. lol