How important is the heat in cold process soaps?

[Egzandra]

My most recent batch of soap, which was a combo of coconut oil, vegetable oil and olive oil, took quite a bit of time to trace which the recipe said it would. By this time there was not much heat left in the mixture and I wrapped it up well and tried not to peep. Now 45 hours later it is setting but still not hard enough to cut.

I am just wondering if the long trace time is responsible for soap not setting quickly? Last week when I made my honey soaps I put them in small moulds, kept peeping and they were very soft (though they are hardening now - but they still do not look very nice). They felt cool quite quickly.

Would it help when stirring the soap for CP if I placed the pan inside another pan of hot water over the stove and kept more heat in the mixture?

My first two batches, which had tallow in, traced and hardened quickly.

Any comments from the Soap Makers of the Forum, gratefully received.

 

[Guest]

Hi Egzandra
The soap doesn't start to heat up until after it is in the mold.You can set the mold on a heating pad , or in a 170 degree oven for an hour , then turn the oven off and let the soap sit in the warm oven all night.Or wrap it in towels or blankets. That is called gel. The traced mixture does not have to heat up to become soap .Some people stick the mold in the fridge or freezer to prevent the heat , that is called ungelled .Either way you still have soap.
Certain things that you add to your mixture will make it hotter , like honey and milk.There is no set time when the soap gels for it to be hot , then cool down, each batch is different.It can happen in an hour or it can takes many hours.


HTH
Kitn

 

[renaissancemom]

why would you want to prevent heat, what does this accomplish?

 

[honor435]

preventing heat causes it to NOT to gel, some people like this look better.

 

[Deda]

I make several soaps that I don't gel. I like the creamier texture and the lovely pale colors. When I want no gel I use icy cold lye water and RT oils. Pre-chill my mold and after I pour it goes straight in the fridge.

 

[Guest]

why would you want to prevent heat, what does this accomplish?

If you look in the gallery there are pics of gelled and ungelled soaps,it really makes for a different look.

 

[Egzandra]

Hi Kitn

Thank you very much for your comments on heat and cold, I will look at that gallery and sorry for double posting this thread.

I am just about to turn out my latest batch, which has definitely gelled, although it is not so hard as a hard cheese - the gel must have happened because I put the mould in the airing cupboard above the tank.

I will try and post some photos during the weekend.

Egzandra

 

[Guest]

Can't wait to see the pics .I just thought I would let you know about the post , so you could check both for answers.

Kitn