Hope I did this right!

dwolanin · Jan 5, 2015

Hi Y'all,

I thought I'd dive into the fruit/veg additives sooooo. I juiced a cucumber and replaced 50% of the lye water for the juice which was about 6oz or 172 grams. But I over poured and it was 173. grams so I only did 171. grams on the lye water. Does this sound okay? I also added a oz of cucumber FO to kick it up a notch. btw it's a 2lb test batch. I got a pale green and tried to lighten up half some with TD. Didn't work out to good. I mixed the FO in the oil and it was fine until the cucumber juice. It was thickening pretty good but not to bad to get it in the mold. I was expecting a very fast batter. Now It's in the mold and I'm thinking I shouldn't gel this. Don't want it to over heat. Any thoughts on this would be helpful. I'm trying to do everything right and wanted to get your opinions on it. Lye water replacement and gelling especially. Thanks so much!

P.S. It looks like guacamole! lol

hmlove1218 · Jan 5, 2015

I'm not sure I would gel it to prevent overheating. The water/cucumber ratio will be fine. I usually do a 50/50 liquid swap when using a water replacement.

And unfortunately, the pretty green you have now will turn brown over time :/ Lye can be cruel to natural colors.

Lindy · Jan 5, 2015

I would let it gel.

shunt2011 · Jan 5, 2015

I would gel it too. But then I gel all my soap.

dwolanin · Jan 6, 2015

Sorry I haven't replied, I have had plumbing problems that are now running into the thousands

I sat the cucumber soap outside because it seemed cold enough. it still started to crack on the top but after lifting the bottom so air could flow around the whole mold it calmed down. I think I can cut it tomorrow.

I made some Mango soap today and tried the freezing the mango puree into cubes then pouring lye over them. I was always so scared to do this but it worked like a charm! Wow! A whole new part of soap making has opened up for me. The mango soap I put in the freezer after having the mold in there for a few hours. Looks great! No cracks, just smooth with a infinity swirl on top. At least I think that's what it's called

Keeping my fingers crossed.