I just saw my loaf crack

[Obsidian]

I poured 2.5 lb 100% coconut oil soap about 45 minutes ago. I was sitting at the table having a bite to eat and looking at my soap when I noticed there were oil spots forming on the surface. Before I could even complete the thought "should I put this in the fridge" a crack appeared down the length of the loaf.
It was pretty cool to see but a bit disturbing. I could also see the loaf start to bulge upwards from the heat.
Its in the freezer now, the crack has stopped and so has the bulging, I hope it doesn't over heat too much inside and cause separation. I'm going to pull it out in a minute to try and repair the crack before it freezes. Its pretty deep, at least 1/2 inches down but not too wide.

 

[Luckyone80]

Oh no! :sad: Yeah you saw I just experienced this with my GM soap over the weekend. It broke my heart b/c I was so proud of my first GM loaf, I did go ahead and let it continue to gel all the way though and the crack never got any larger.

Hope you're able to repair it, I would love to see pics!

 

[Obsidian]

I've had loaves crack before, just never saw it happen right before my eyes. The top is pretty hard already but I think I managed to get it some what back together. I suspect once its cut, the crack will be visible some but thats ok. Its in full gel except for the top which is mounded above the mold so it didn't retain any heat.

I'll post pics once its cut. I've been taking plenty through this all.

 

[IrishLass]

I learned a very helpful 'anti-crack' trick by happy accident when making my 100% CO batches, which tend to heat up fast and cause cracking on the top. The trick? Bubble wrap. I noticed that whenever I made a batch of 100% CO soap using bubble-wrap pressed into the top of my soap batter for decorative purposes, I never got cracks, even in spite of how warm my soap heated up during gel. From then on, I've been using bubble-wrap on the top of all my 100% CO batches, and all of them have remained crack-free.

IrishLass

 

[Luckyone80]

I learned a very helpful 'anti-crack' trick by happy accident when making my 100% CO batches, which tend to heat up fast and cause cracking on the top. The trick? Bubble wrap. I noticed that whenever I made a batch of 100% CO soap using bubble-wrap pressed into the top of my soap batter for decorative purposes, I never got cracks, even in spite of how warm my soap heated up during gel. From then on, I've been using bubble-wrap on the top of all my 100% CO batches, and all of them have remained crack-free.

IrishLass

Good tip! I bet the same would go for GM soap too then.

 

[Obsidian]

I think for now on, I'll stick to smaller batches when making 100% coconut. The one yesterday gelled nicely with CPOP in a slab mold. I think this batch cooled off enough to stop the overheating so its in the fridge now. I ended up messing with the top again, it looks better but I wish I could get the whole top into gel.

 

[boyago]

I poured 2.5 lb 100% coconut oil soap about 45 minutes ago. I was sitting at the table having a bite to eat and looking at my soap when I noticed there were oil spots forming on the surface. Before I could even complete the thought "should I put this in the fridge" a crack appeared down the length of the loaf.
It was pretty cool to see but a bit disturbing. I could also see the loaf start to bulge upwards from the heat.
Its in the freezer now, the crack has stopped and so has the bulging, I hope it doesn't over heat too much inside and cause separation. I'm going to pull it out in a minute to try and repair the crack before it freezes. Its pretty deep, at least 1/2 inches down but not too wide.

I'm kind of jealous you got to see it as it was happening. Did it just sort of unzip? How fast was it?
It reminds me of seeing a double rainbow or something. It's got to be a good luck omen!

 

[Obsidian]

It was really neat to see but it happened so fast. I saw the oil beads from overheating then BAM! the crack was there in less then a second. It didn't unzip some much as just split apart down the entire length all at once. The best thing I can compare it to is take a piece of chilled cheese cake and slowly bend it until it cracks, it just sorta popped open.
It did widen in the freezer, kinda wished I would have watched it for a few before chilling it but I was worried about a volcano. I've posted pics in the photo forum.

 

[grumpy_owl]

Sorry you had to witness this, Obsidian. But now I want cheesecake.