Masterbatching and A Nice Story to Share

[heyjude]

First, I'd like to share something nice that happened to me at work today. Last week I had brought in a bar of OMH scented soap to be used in the staff bathroom. (much milder than the softsoap we usually have!)

Today, a volunteer whom I don't really know came up to me and asked if I was the one who had made the soap. She told me how much she liked it and asked if she could BUY some! I'm only a beginner with so much to learn and wouldn't dream of selling at this point, but I will say that her inquiry made me feel like a real soapmaker!

And because I do have so much to learn...what exactly is masterbatching and how do you do it? I've seen a few mentions here and there, but can't put the whole thing together (i.e. do you add all oils and butters together and then melt each time you need to start a batch? Can you color/scent it all?

Thanks for reading through all this,

Jude

 

[heartsong]

x

masterbatching is a way of streamling production time by premixing you basic soaping ingredients.

one drawback to this is if you desire to change the recipe.

currently i premix 10 batches of oil at a time in a large canning pot with a lid. i then leave this in an unheated pantry area.

word of caution: some oils/fats are thicker than others and others are heavier and have a tendency to sink and separate. if you should decide to do this, you'll melt your oils together, then periodically stir well so as the mixture setlles and firms up you maintain a completely homogenious blend. if you dont do this, this will goof up your lye discount.

if you wish to soap at 33%-that means for every 1 oz of lye you use 2 oz liquid. example: for 7.5 oz of lye you mix 15 oz liquid. you can premix adding all the lye to half the water and storing in a heavy duty plastic jug with pour spout. usually a clean liquid laundry soap jug. in other words-1 part lye to 1 part liquid. when you make you batch you pour out 15 oz lye mix and add 7.5 add'l oz of liquid to do your batch.

i don't usually premix my lye in masterbatches, as sometimes i need to use special tea infusions, then sometimes just aloe or just goatsmilk or aloe and coconut, etc. it is just easier to mix it up as i go.

you color and fragrance as you batch.

master batching is great if you don't plan to change soap recipes. if you should change your mind after a few batches, then you're kind of stuck until you finish your masterbatch.

just a thought before you decide to do this, make this soap at least a dozen times before you do this. the soap that i made when i first started is a LIGHT YEAR apart from the soaps i make now.

i'm happy that your first soaps is such a hit! soaping is so satisfying on so many different levels! good luck to you!

happy soaping!

 

[heyjude]

Sooooo... Heartsong, if I have this straight, once I've mixed all my oils/fats together I can leave the mixture in a cool location for as long as my oils stay fresh. When I'm ready to make soap I would make sure that the batch is stirred thoroughly and then measure out whatever amount I need for the size batch I'm making? (for example 16oz. for a 1# batch?)

Am I then doing rtcp or would I heat up whatever amount I've taken from the masterbatch? I usually soap around 100 degrees. It would be so nice to only have to add the lye and premade oils together and be able to concentrate more on the look of the soap.

Thanks for your advice,

Jude

 

[Guest]

Isn't that an awesome thing to have someone want to buy your soap..It is a great feeling..Good for you , you go girl..

Kitn

 

[heyjude]

Kitn,

It is a great feeling, especially since that woman and I really don't know each other and it's not like my family who feel they HAVE to say they like my soap!

Jude

 

[Deda]

I like to mix my oils in 50lb buckets, then while it's still warm I separate the batter into 3.5 lb Gladlock/tupperware style containers.

When the mood strikes and I want to soap all I have to do is pour/scrape a little pre-measured container of oils into my smaller soap bucket, add my 'extras' and mix, once I'm all ready I pour in the lye/water. That's it. 10 minutes a batch, tops.

Not including clean up, or the horrid mess I make melting and mixing 40 to 50 lbs of oils in the first place.

 

[heyjude]

That sounds like a really good system you have Deda. When the time comes and I'm ready to try masterbatching, I'll keep it in mind.

Thank you!

Jude

 

[Deda]

HeyJude, I'm such an idiot sometimes! I totally forgot the congrats on the positive feedback on your OMH soap. It's just the best thing in the world when someone likes your soap!

 

[heyjude]

Thank you!



Jude

 

[heartsong]

Am I then doing rtcp or would I heat up whatever amount I've taken from the masterbatch? I usually soap around 100 degrees. It would be so nice to only have to add the lye and premade oils together and be able to concentrate more on the look of the soap.

you can do either. use the oils and lye at room temp (dont forget to add ther extra water as your lye concentrate is at 1:1) or you can gently warm the oils in the microwave and add hot water to your lye concentrate.

if you have the room you can store the oils in the fridge, too. i would not premix more oil than i would use in in 30-45 days. heat and humidity can make your oils go bad.

have fun!

Thanks for your advice,

Jude

 

[heyjude]

Thanks Heartsong!



Jude

 

[Guest]

master batching...

I like to mix my oils in 50lb buckets, then while it's still warm I separate the batter into 3.5 lb Gladlock/tupperware style containers.

When the mood strikes and I want to soap all I have to do is pour/scrape a little pre-measured container of oils into my smaller soap bucket, add my 'extras' and mix, once I'm all ready I pour in the lye/water. That's it. 10 minutes a batch, tops.

Not including clean up, or the horrid mess I make melting and mixing 40 to 50 lbs of oils in the first place.

You've got to teach me how to do that....

 

[SimplyE]

Re: master batching...

I like to mix my oils in 50lb buckets, then while it's still warm I separate the batter into 3.5 lb Gladlock/tupperware style containers.

When the mood strikes and I want to soap all I have to do is pour/scrape a little pre-measured container of oils into my smaller soap bucket, add my 'extras' and mix, once I'm all ready I pour in the lye/water. That's it. 10 minutes a batch, tops.

Not including clean up, or the horrid mess I make melting and mixing 40 to 50 lbs of oils in the first place.

You've got to teach me how to do that....

Monster stove!