HELP Small curdles - what do I do?

[janet1v]

I just made a batch that I have made before - only new ingredients are the oxide colorants. But this batch has SMALL curdles, probably smaller than a grain of rice - but you can definitely see them. Is this a ruined batch or should I rebatch within the next 24 hours? (it is red white and blue layers - will be funky color if I rebatch but better than wasting).

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Cosmo]

This has happened to me when I didn't mix my hard oils well enough, or they did not melt all of the way. It's probably little oil bits, but you should test it to make sure.

 

[lsg]

Did you melt all of your solid butters/oils before adding the lye solution? Are you sure these aren't air bubbles? Just some suggestions as I really don't know the cause. Sorry.

 

[janet1v]

Yep I melted all my oils - no hint of solids. I mixed the oil and lye at a bit different temps - 108 for lye and 112 for oils. Usually I get them within one degree of each other - that was a bit sloppy but I didn't think it needed to be THAT exact. I'm sure they are not air bubbles, I noticed them as I was mixing the three colors. GRRRRRR, it was a 5 1/2 pound batch. Just wish I knew what I did different/wrong.....

 

[lsg]

Just think, they are an added interest to your soap.

 

[misskat22]

I think as long as it's not lye heavy (which you wont know for a few days) it should be fine. From what I've read most things are just cosmetic as long as it's not a lye issue.

 

[janet1v]

Ohhh you guys give me hope. I can deal with the cosmetic but hate to throw it out. I am pretty accurate in measurements, hopefully it won't be lye heavy. It will be a "sale" soap heheh. You know, there is one other thing that is different. I needed 9.9 ounces of lye. I only had 9.8 in my open jar so I opened a new one I bought at Lowes for the other .1 ounce. I have never used this brand before (usually used red devil) - but it says 100% lye - sodium hydroxide. Could .1 ounce of that make possibly a difference?

 

[RocknRoll]

I have had this happen to me before and a fragrance oil i used was the culprit. It was mixing fine and then suddenly started to seperate and curdle a little. I mixed the best I could before it got too thick to plop into the mold. It had the same little solidified clumps throughout. The soap was fine though. It was sort of like riceing if that has ever heppened to you.