Individual soap moulds and gelling

[squeakycleanuk]

Hi, I'm relatively new to soap making, in fact I've only ever made 2 batches and that was years ago but I've decided to start up again and do it properly this time. So I am doing some research before I get started, so that I can get it right straight off and I've been reading a lot on this forum about partial gelling problems which until this week I had not been aware of at all. Either it didn't happen to my last 2 batches or I just didn't notice. Anyway, I would like to avoid it if possible and I understand the best way is to maintain heat. However, I will be making them at work so won't have access to an oven and I'm hoping good old fashioned towel insulation will be good enough. My only concern is my moulds. I have individual soap bar silicone moulds like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008DVKT5Y/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 Will that make the gelling process more or less likely than if I was to use a loaf mould. I'm assuming the individual soaps will cool quicker, is this likely to cause a problem with gelling or will it make it more likely that a full gell will occur? Anyone who uses or has experience of using this type of mould, how did / do you get on?

 

[Hazel]

Individual cavity molds lose heat faster so gelling is less likely to occur. You said you're going to make these at work. Out of curiosity, where do you work? I'd love to get a job there.

You could set the mold on a heating pad and wrap with towels. This will help to prevent heat loss. I've had good luck with this method and getting full gel.

 

[squeakycleanuk]

Individual cavity molds lose heat faster so gelling is less likely to occur. You said you're going to make these at work. Out of curiosity, where do you work? I'd love to get a job there.
.

Ha ha, I'm a self employed massage therapist, so I have private premises that I work from. I'm just more likely to get stuff done there, away from the family

I thought that might be the case. I have a heat pad which is intended for putting on the back to warm achy muscles, is that the sort of thing you mean or something else?

Do you think gelling is less likely to happen at all or will I get a partial gel?

 

[Hazel]

Darn! I should have become a LMT! :cry:

The heating pad for muscles is exactly what I mean. The one I have has only 2 levels and I put it on high but it's not a hot temp - comfortably warm if you know what I mean. It has an automatic shut off after an hour so I check the batch when it turns off. If the soap has a good bit of gel, I leave it off. Normally, I have to turn it on for another hour or even longer depending on how cold it is in the house. The soap has always gelled but maybe I've been lucky.

You could also cover the soap with a box to help hold in heat. Someone mentioned about building an insulating box. I wish I could remember who mentioned it because I thought it was a great idea. But she mentioned something about she had attached material to the inside of the box to help prevent heat loss. You could easily find a padding type of material at a fabric store. I'd suggest some type of batting or pre-quilted material. I remember years ago seeing quilted material manufactured specifically for making oven mitts. It was silver colored on the outside and had a thin batting in the middle. Something like this might work great to insulate a box. On the other hand, you could just set a towel on the counter, put the heating pad on it, put the soap on the pad (cover the mold with saran wrap) and then fold the rest of the blanket over. Then lay the insulating material on top to help prevent heat loss. I'd still keep an eye on it to make sure the soap doesn't overheat.

Of course, it might be easier just to get a foam cooler and cut a hole for the heating pad's cord to be pushed out. Then you could set the mold in the cooler, cover with a towel and put the lid on. You'd probably want to plug the cut hole so heat wouldn't escape through it.

I think you should get gelling with the heating pad and insulation. However, partial gel isn't always a bad thing. I've had a couple of partially gelled batches that I thought looked really great. The colorants and ungelled sections appeared to swirl through the gelled portion and created an interesting visual effect. I don't know how it happened but I liked it. I wish I knew how to duplicate it.

 

[squeakycleanuk]

Thanks Hazel, thats really helpful. I've had the heating pad for years but never really use it, so its good to finally find something useful for it to do I guess I'll just have to try it and see what happens and keep my fingers crossed that fully gelled or not, they still look great.

 

[Moonshea Botanicals]

roblem: hmmmmm. Could a insulated hot/cold bag work instead of a lots of towels? Like this? http://www.sears.com/rachael-ray-22...M6407326204?prdNo=19&blockNo=19&blockType=G19

 

[lizflowers42]

I've used an insulated lunch box for yogurt making...maybe one of those large coolers would do the trick!?

 

[lizflowers42]

roblem: hmmmmm. Could a insulated hot/cold bag work instead of a lots of towels? Like this? http://www.sears.com/rachael-ray-22...M6407326204?prdNo=19&blockNo=19&blockType=G19

Beat me to it! Lol

 

[squeakycleanuk]

I do happen to have a bag similar to that, so I might as well give it a go. Perhaps I should do 2 batches and try out both methods and see which one comes out the best

Thanks for all your replies, great ideas

 

[Badger]

Yeah, let me know how it turns out, I have an insulated bag that I might use as well.

 

[Moonshea Botanicals]

WOOT! I made a suggestion that is a good one!

 

[Maythorn]

If the oven causes bubbles to form in the bottom of the bars wouldn't a heating pad do the same thing?

 

[Hazel]

A heating pad doesn't get as hot as an oven. It just helps to prevent a shallow or small mold from cooling down so much that the soap only partially gels. It may not even be necessary if the soap is well insulated. I only use a heating pad when I use a shallow slab mold and it's cold in the house. (This is only when I can't use the oven.)

I just suggested it because squeakycleanuk said she didn't have an oven. Wrapping the mold in a heavy towel and setting it in a cardboard box might be enough insulation. If the place she works at is warm enough, a heavy towel might even provide enough insulation for the soap. But she said she wanted full gel so I just wanted to offer some suggestions on what she could try.

 

[Maythorn]

That's true for even "Warm" on the oven, I guess. My heating pad is old but still works. I just can't use parchment or freezer paper with it because it warps and the soap comes out with wrinkles and lines.