How Small is Too Small?

[ariella42]

I have a recipe I'm pretty happy with, so I'm trying to make it into one I'm really happy with (though I expect I'll never stop tweaking and experimenting). There are some things that I'd like to try out to see what difference they make. I'd like to sub tallow for palm, add silk, etc. However, I'm on a bit of a budget for my soap making since I don't sell yet (and likely won't for a good while). Ideally, I'd be able to make a reasonably large batch to have plenty of bars left to observe how they change as they continue to age, but I'd like to have an idea of how I like the initial result before getting into that phase for the sake of saving money on oils. I'd love to be able to make a one bar batch of my experiments, but I worry that a batch that small would have issues if the measurements were even slightly off (and my current scale only measures to a tenth of an ounce). What is the smallest batch you would consider making?

 

[abc]

Great question!! I have seen a few recipes for one bar of soap. Even using the tall measuring cup that came with my cuisinart stick blender, I don't think it would blend well with such small amounts of oils. Maybe a milk frothed is used. I was planning on making one lb test batches measuring in grams for the best accuracy.

 

[Obsidian]

I wouldn't go any smaller then 8oz and even then, you want to keep your SF at 5% or higher to safe guard against scale inaccuracies.

 

[DeeAnna]

For these small batches, you can even shake the soap batter in a container rather than stick blend it. Use a heavy duty plastic bottle with a secure liquid-proof cap -- absolutely don't use glass. Shake over the sink to contain possible spills. Definitely measure in grams not ounces -- if you have access to a scale that goes to 0.1 gram, I'd use it.

 

[Susie]

I wouldn't make smaller than 1 lb to give you 4 bars and a test bit. It also guards against small errors in weights. I agree with the 5% SF.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

If you do want to go smaller, invest in a better measure. You can pick up ones that go to 0.00g but only go up to 250g or so and these can be found rather inexpensivly

 

[IrishLass]

The smallest I go is 8 oz./226g, but that's only with my very sensitive Jenning's scale that weighs accurately down to .01g. I use it for making small batches of lip balm, too.


IrishLass

 

[ariella42]

I found a scale that someone on here recommended. I was waiting for our tax return to come in, but perhaps I'll just go ahead and purchase it (if I can find it again).