Help! What did I do wrong?

Smebinger · Dec 16, 2008

Hi there,
I a new soapmaker - I've made several small cold process batches successfully and a few days ago I tried making a two pound batch, experimenting with adding some essential oils. However, it's been 2 days since I made it - and while the soap seems pretty firm (and smells good!) I noticed these areas of discoloration in the middle of the log - there isn't a difference in texture though. See photos at link below. I'm not sure what the problem is - I didn't have this issue with my previous 1 pound batches. Below are the ingredients. Any ideas on what the problem could be would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
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Samara

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33430641@N07/?saved=1

4.6 oz. lye

12 oz. water

1 lb 5 oz. pomace olive oil

10.5 oz coconut oil

2 tbsp. castor oil

0.5 oz. spruce essential oil

0.25 oz. Texas cedarwood essential oil

0.25 oz. lemon essential oil

Laurie · Dec 16, 2008

Samara...it looks like partial gel. At first glance anyway.

I didn't check your amounts with soapcalc.

Laurie

carebear · Dec 16, 2008

I think I agree, but I can't figure out at exactly what I'm looking. Is that a slice of a log? the top of a log? a slab?

Smebinger · Dec 16, 2008

Yeah, it's the top of a log - there was some ash on top so I sliced a little off to better see what it looked like...

carebear · Dec 16, 2008

without re-running your numbers I'd agree it's simply a partial gel. that's just a cosmetic thing, really - though it may take the ungelled part (the corners and edges - the lighter colored part) a bit longer to harden up.