I know I've asked before, but...help?

[Cactuslily]

I've asked this question before, but I'm still struggling. If my mold (per calculating L x W xH x .40 holds "x" amount, is this what I input to soap calc to get proper totals for ingredients?

 

[mx5inpenn]

Its a starting point, but you'll actually need less oils because the part you input is the total amount of oils. SoapCalc will then calculate the total amount of the recipe. When you click view/print recipe it will give you the total. That total is what needs to fit the mold.

 

[Obsidian]

I've always considered "x amount" to be the amount of oils in the recipe, not the total recipe weight.

 

[mx5inpenn]

Oops, I missed the .40 in that. Disregard my comment!

 

[osso]

Yes, that will give you the approx amount of oils. You may need to adjust depending one the amount of water you use. For example, if you do a water discount you may need more oil to fill the mold completely. Use that equation as a starting point and tweak from there.

 

[Cactuslily]

Just to clarify then. Put amount "x" using the formula, then proceed with recipe and at the end, total up oils plus water to get amount to see if mold needs to be sized up or down? Sorry...I'm either way overthinking, or really slow. Probably both, but this is holding me back from making soap for fear I'll either not have enough or too much. Also when dividing up soap, to say do a modified tiger stripe, how much is a good starting point for separating out?
While we are on the topic ( somewhat) or measurements, do I need to use the same amount of micas for a smaller batch or less? My TD isn't whitening. I am using heavy OO recipes because I'm tracing to quickly, but my micas aren't really popping. I don't want to waste them, but I want bold colors. So many questions, I know. Sorry, and thanks to you all.

 

[abc]

I found this link helpful. http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/coldprocesssoapmaking/a/measvspercent.htm

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

Consider the x to be your oil amount. Put a recipe in to a calc with that oil amount.

Then ask, do I use a water discount? If so, you need to increase the oil amount to compensate.

Then try it, maybe with a small mould to one side in case you have too much, but also bear in mind that this is your test run and you might actually be a little short. Then next time you can get it spot on.

Also be aware that if you sometimes water discount and sometimes don't, you'll need to adjust the amount of oils so that you keep the mould full

 

[marilynmac]

Stop fretting about this! You only need to be approximate. Start with maybe 800g oils, and make some soap. If it's not enough, you will get shorter bars. If it is too much, pour the leftovers into margarine cups. Save the recipe and take notes, next time you will know that 800 is too much or too little, adjust accordingly.

 

[Cactuslily]

Thank you all for your help and patience. I am getting stuck in my head. Will take all of your advice and just forge ahead. If too much soap! ( if there is such a thing ) it'll give me opportunity to try some new individual bar molds

 

[Susie]

I learned the hard way to keep a mold for individual bars out and handy any time I make a new recipe(or new size). Saves me from scrambling around to find one as my loaf mold overflows and my soap sets up in the bucket.