How long did it take you?

[jarvan]

To love or hate the process you currently hold to for soaping most of your batches? Did you know right away? Was it instant love?

I have tried to love CPHP because it seems like the one-pot method would be a cinch.

Why is it that every time I do a batch in there, whether from scratch or rebatch, it ends up sticking to the sides and I am never truly sure it's gone through all the stages. I test for zap and when I get it, I leave it go a bit longer. I don't get a clear transition from one stage to the next. Plus, it seems clumpy and gloppy. I know the gloppy thing is normal, but why is it impossible for me to smooth this out without getting a batch of "needs-a-year-to-cure-and-harden" soap?

Is this normal?

The batch I did tonight used OO, CO, PO, Castor, water and carrot puree for liquid and I added 2% Sodium Lactate.

I have traditionally done CP or CPOP because most of the time, if not using FO's or EO's the batter is smooth and easy to mold.

I lean towards my CP soaps even though I have to wait longer to use them, simply because I seem too challenged to do a decent CPHP. Ugh!

 

[dagmar88]

I tried different things and found out cp works best for me. Though I very much enjoy making whipped soap too. I started with HP, but it's all to much of a hassle for me. It really started to put me off and I'm just not talented in that field
I just heat up my solid oils, throw in my liquid oils, add my room temp lye solution and start blending I never gel.

 

[honor435]

oh, i started out with hp, then cp, then hp! i like both and am obsessed with soapmaking!!!

 

[TheSoapyEwe]

I have always done CPHP and fell into a rhythm with it from the beginning.
I have tried the oven to process but each time that was a total disaster.

CP has always had me running scared :shock:
All of the talk about seizing, the fo's not working well at times, gelling or not gelling and the long cure time etc.
I may get brave one of these days and try it

 

[TessC]

I've only ever made CP. I keep meaning to try M&P someday because there are some really neat things you can do with it, and I want to try a batch of HP someday to see how it goes, but CP was what I tried first and I just haven't moved to anything else.

 

[carebear]

none of those choices really work for me. I didn't decide after one try that CP was the thing for me, nor do I go back and forth - it took quite a time to settle.

And while I don't waffle, I do sometimes have to use a variation on my techniques for different formulas, FO/EO choices, designs, molds... All CP based but not always exactly the same.

 

[artisan soaps]

..

 

[hestia]

My first batch - many, many years ago- was a by-the-book CP and a total disaster. Yes, I did eventually wind up with soap, but it was awful, and tedious, and disappointing.... A couple of years ago I starting making liquid soap for myself -hot process ala Faillor(sp?) revised to suit myself. Love it! So easy! Then I decided to try CP again...only this time I didn't use the book! Forums are wonderful things! I now do RTOP for bar soap & CPHP for my liquids and am totally addicted! I'd still like to try whipped soap....

 

[Deda]

It took me about 3 years, (roughly 300 batches) to get my main process. I use the same method, but I make variances for FO/EO, molds, color techniques and some oils.