How essential is it to insulate soap

[SoapSap]

I know insulating soap after it has been poured into the mold is not recommended for milk soaps or soaps that may have honey, sugar, beer, etc.

If I am making a recipe without milk or sugar type ingredients would it come out okay if I do not insulate? Does it have to be insulated to go through saponification? And how do I know if it is going through saponification.

Often when I insulate my soap it goes through gelatinization and sometimes I don't want it to. Is it okay not to insulate so it does not gel?

 

[seven]

If I am making a recipe without milk or sugar type ingredients would it come out okay if I do not insulate?
yes. insulation is not a must.

Does it have to be insulated to go through saponification? And how do I know if it is going through saponification.
nope. heat makes saponification goes faster. if your batter is properly emulsified, it will saponify and become soap at the end. do a zap test to make sure there is no active lye. if it does not zap, it means no active lye is present = saponification is finished, you have soap.

Often when I insulate my soap it goes through gelatinization and sometimes I don't want it to. Is it okay not to insulate so it does not gel?
yes. you can also put your soap in the freezer to completely prevent gel. if you prevent gel by putting the soap in a cold environment, saponification is going to be slower (48-72 hours). make sure to zap test afterwards.

 

[cmzaha]

you do not have to gel your soap for saponification to take place. Most of my soaps go in the freezer which will slow saponification and can cause the soap to stay zappy for 72 hrs. I always find the 72 hr make seems to be the magic number. In the past I have had more trouble with gelling, oils separating, than not gelling and I do not particularly mind a partial gel. Partial gels will usually show up as a different color oval in the center

 

[SoapSap]

Great answers. Thank you. I have a 3 lb loaf on my counter that I made this afternoon and it never heated up as mine usually do. I was concerned. I can see it is softer than some of my past soaps and may need a longer time in the mold. I get so eager to unmold but I think I will control myself and let it stay in the mold 48-72 hours this time.

 

[shunt2011]

Soap that doesn't gel will stay softer for a longer period of time. I do prefer to gel pretty much all my soaps. I'm too impatient to wait. Especially when I know I need to use my molds relatively quickly. I do use milk in my recipes as well.