How long for GM milk soap to gel?

[NySoapMom]

I am new to soaping and have made a few batches successfully....but the have all started gelling within 4 hours of pouring until today. The batch I made today at around 12 30 still does not appear to be gelling.(10 pm) When you put your hand over it, some heat is felt in the center, but nothing to write home about.roblem:
My soap is simple, Lye,Olive oil,coconut oil,castor oil,avocado oil and shea butter and of course, fresh goat milk from my own girls.

The difference in todays batch was I poured at a thinner trace than previously, and I used another fragrance (Neroli and Shea blossom from BB).
So my question is.....is it going to gel? :?: I HATE partial gel, but am afraid to put a milk soap in the oven, so it sits on my table with a blanket over it for now...
Thanks for any help!

 

[cmzaha]

I gel very few soaps and never never gel milk soaps. Almost all my soaps go in the freezer and partial gel does not bother me. Makes people wonder how you got the color difference

 

[neeners]

I like gelled soap, and most soaps I make are goats milk soaps. mine has taken a few hours to gel. just wrap it, and leave it for hours. don't uncover or else it'll cool down.

 

[NySoapMom]

Thanks Ni I think I left this one uncovered too long...the last one cracked on top and I decided to try to not insulate this one but when it didn't start gelling, I threw a blanket on top.

cmzaha~ I add my lye to frozen milk and then mix oils and lye at 70 and 90 degrees....I add mica colorant and I get cool colors, even gelled. I did do my original batches in the fridge but decided I liked gelled a bit more....I will probably do some of both, I just hate a partial gel!

 

[neeners]

did it gel??
you'll have to play around with outside temp and gelling of the soap. there was one recipe that i was using that would gel with a small crack on top. then i figured to put the mold in the fridge first, and pour batter into a cold mold, and i got perfect gel. but then other times i could just leave the mold and watch carefully/sticking my hand underneath the insulation, and when it got hot enough i would take it all off and soap would start cooling.

and we've been missing you on TGS.....people have been asking about you....

 

[shunt2011]

I agree with neeners. All my soaps have some kind of milk in them and I also soap at room temp. I find it can take a couple to several hours for my soaps to gel. I use silicone lined wooden molds and immediately put the cover on and then cover with a couple towels. I always get gel but I also check it periodically to make sure they aren't overheating. I've only had one overheat in the last month or two.

 

[NySoapMom]

No, it didn't gel...and it is still too soft to cut 24 hours later. We shall see.
I have another question.....do all of you strain your lye solution? I noticed in a batch today that I had some undissolved lye granules when I strained it. I didn't strain the lye solution in my previous batches, but the curing soaps looks fine....should I worry about a few pieces being in any of my soaps? I'll be straining from now on for sure!
I have been using one that did not gel (I put it in the fridge) and it has not had any lye in it.....

Ni~I know I haven't been on TGS at all! I have been super busy with craft fairs and such selling my lotions and lip balms....and just life, Ya know? I'll have to pop on and say hey Do you guys have land yet?