FO changes color and texture

[Todd Ziegler]

I made a single batch of confetti soap yesterday then split it up for 2 different FO scents. The only difference being the fragrance but I got 2 different soaps after gelling and sitting for 24 hours. The banana taffy FO yellowed the batch and it wasn't as hard as the melon ball this morning when I unmolded them. It had a greasy soft feeling to it. I had a harder time getting it to gel. The banana got up to 100°F and that was it. Where as the melon ball got up to 125°F where I like to keep it for a couple of hours. The banana was not supposed to have any vanillin in it and so I didn't use a stabilizer.

This is my first experience with an FO causing a slight problem but I don't expect it will hurt the soap any. I'm just disappointed with the FO.

I was just hoping someone else could look at the picture and tell me whether I am right or if it is something else?

I thought this would be a good thread for beginners to see. Should have put it there, darn it.

 

[jcandleattic]

Your deduction is right. Not all FO's are created equally. Most banana FO's have vanilla or other factors that will change the color of the batch. There are some FO's that are heaters, or will warm up more than others (what you saw with the Melonball) It happens, and after a full cure, and as long as it fully saponified, it will be fine.

 

[shunt2011]

I agree with the above. I've had fragrances without vanilla listed in them still discolor and some that heat up (coconut for one), I just roll with it. However, I've never taken the temp of my soaps in gel as I force it on all of them. Wooden molds silicone lined with a lid then towels over the top.

 

[Todd Ziegler]

I agree with the above. I've had fragrances without vanilla listed in them still discolor and some that heat up (coconut for one), I just roll with it. However, I've never taken the temp of my soaps in gel as I force it on all of them. Wooden molds silicone lined with a lid then towels over the top.

I really wish I would have used some stabilizer on the banana batch but I am going to roll with it like you said and call it banana cake.

Your deduction is right. Not all FO's are created equally. Most banana FO's have vanilla or other factors that will change the color of the batch. There are some FO's that are heaters, or will warm up more than others (what you saw with the Melonball) It happens, and after a full cure, and as long as it fully saponified, it will be fine.

Actually the melon ball behaved exactly the same as other batches that I have used it in. I force gel all my batches because I like the results. However the banana FO did not want to get hot.

 

[Arimara]

Soaps look great. Lucky for you, I have a strong aversion to banana scented and melon scented items. I won't try to steal them in my head.

I forgot- maybe you can ask if this could be moved to the beginner's thread?

 

[Obsidian]

Will vanilla stabilizer work on discoloration not caused by vanilla?

 

[Todd Ziegler]

Will vanilla stabilizer work on discoloration not caused by vanilla?

Some people use the vanilla stabilizer with every FO they use and they say that it helps. However some of the vanilla stabilizers are very expensive. The one that I use is just $5 per pound and I have had good luck with it. I got it from aztec candle.

Soaps look great. Lucky for you, I have a strong aversion to banana scented and melon scented items. I won't try to steal them in my head.

I forgot- maybe you can ask if this could be moved to the beginner's thread?

I am flattered, please steal it.

 

[jcandleattic]

Will vanilla stabilizer work on discoloration not caused by vanilla?

Sometimes yes, this is why I use it in every batch.

The only one I have ever used that works for longer than just a few months, is the one from BCN. (Trust me, I think I've tried them all)
The one from BCN has staved off any discoloring from even my darkest discoloring FO's for well over a year.

 

[Todd Ziegler]

Sometimes yes, this is why I use it in every batch.

The only one I have ever used that works for longer than just a few months, is the one from BCN. (Trust me, I think I've tried them all)
The one from BCN has staved off any discoloring from even my darkest discoloring FO's for well over a year.

I went with the cheaper and I have had good luck after 6 months for a 4% vanillin content.

 

[KDP]

I think both soaps are lovely.

 

[Todd Ziegler]

I think both soaps are lovely.

Thanks for the compliment. Basically I needed some technical reassurance. Then I thought this would be good information for beginners and intermediate people like me. The banana has darkened a little more over night, however it has not made a noticeable difference in two other soaps that I have made with it but they were darker colors.