I have newbie questions.

[Brother josephus]

These questions are pertaining to cold process.
I'm mixing my titanium dioxide with water before adding it to my soap, do I worry about that little bit of water being added?
This gel or not to gel is driving me nuts. I have one mold I can use to gel c p o p. But my wooden mold I would be afraid to do that with. But then if i don't I'm afraid I'll end up with a partial gel. Could somebody please advise me on which way to go and the best way to do it. I can't stop thinking about it. LOL thank you so much ahead of time

 

[Dawni]

So you've decided you want to gel? The wooden mold should be fine as it's just residual heat you want, not have the oven be on. Some people are able to gel when they wrap the soap, if ambient temps are high enough.

Search around and there's literally a ton of info on gelling in the oven.

I can't say about the TD water, as I've not used it in CP yet. In HP, just FYI, I take the water out from the calculated total.

 

[KiwiMoose]

I add TD in a little water and don't worry about the water being additional.
I also CPOP in wooden milds, as well as silicone molds, no problem so far. I would imagine that in Florida you have air con in your house? In which case you would probably need to CPOP, otherwise, if no air con then you won't need to - it will probably gel on its own. Just put a heavy towel or something over it.

 

[Brother josephus]

I add TD in a little water and don't worry about the water being additional.
I also CPOP in wooden milds, as well as silicone molds, no problem so far. I would imagine that in Florida you have air con in your house? In which case you would probably need to CPOP, otherwise, if no air con then you won't need to - it will probably gel on its own. Just put a heavy towel or something over it.

Thank you so much. I was afraid the mold would warp from the heat.

 

[Marilyn Norgart]

I use a heating pad in a towel underneath the soap with a box and towels on top on the counter. my oven is way to hard to regulate.

 

[earlene]

The only molds I don't CPOP in are those very light-weight plastic molds that look sort of like the kind of plastic products are packaged in so they are harder to steal from the stores. You know, the ones sold for MP soap at places like Michael's, JoAnn's & Hobby Lobby & the clear plastic from Milky Way. The reason for that is, I don't want them to warp from too much heat.

But, I have and will continue to CPOP wooden molds, HDPE molds, heavier plastic molds (although I don't use these as often, but have CPOPed without any trouble), even cardboard and paperboard boxes that I line with freezer paper.

I turn my oven to it's lowest setting, which for me puts my oven temperature at about 150° F, then turn it off when I put the soap inside. I put my soap-filled molds onto an insulated tray (to catch an spillage should it occur) and then cover with cardboard on top of the molds, then a light towel draped atop the molds on the tray. That all goes into the oven and stays there for several hours.

No fires or melt-downs or warping has ever occured for me with this method and it forced gel quite well for me given the recipes I normally use.

So, if you want to use the oven, I would not fear putting your wooden molds inside of a pre-heated oven and turning the oven off to provide the external warmth that will encourage gel.

 

[melinda48]

So you've decided you want to gel? The wooden mold should be fine as it's just residual heat you want, not have the oven be on. Some people are able to gel when they wrap the soap, if ambient temps are high enough.

Search around and there's literally a ton of info on gelling in the oven.

I can't say about the TD water, as I've not used it in CP yet. In HP, just FYI, I take the water out from the calculated total.

I have only used TD that mixes with oil (I use some of the oil from my recipe) but I would think that a Tbsp. of water added to the mix would not impact the recipe. When folks add mica, they often mix with a Tbsp. Of a light oil and that doesn’t seem to affect anything.

 

[MickeyRat]

I must be the only one that just adds TD to my oils and stick blend it right before I pour the lye but, it works for me.

 

[melinda48]

I do the same thing. Have never had a problem.

 

[lsg]

Determine if your titanium dioxide is water or oil soluble or soluble in both. https://www.bathbodysupply.com/Titanium-Dioxide-Powder-OIL-SOLUBLE-p/cp001.htm
It should say on the package. As far as partial gel is concerned, you can cover the top of the mold with cardboard and insulate the whole mold with towels. This should hold in the heat and force gel.

 

[lucycat]

I don't do CPOP. I tried when new but liked my soaps better without it. Also, putting a wooden mold in the oven can warp, especially if the log is very long. I have done it.

I use 3 pound wooden log molds , place the lid on the mold and have gel consistently. Place the logs with something to insulate the sides (another lid, against a wall, a box, etc.) if the corners don't seem to want to gel.

 

[Primrose]

I just leave my moulds on the bench and let them do whatever they wish, gel, not gel, partial gel, we are all good. Go with the flow.