Measursing Tips / Unsolicited Advice

[DWinMadison]

I'm one of those obnoxious yanks who tends to think EVERYTHING American is better, but I must admit measuring in grams vs ounces wins hands-down. Soapcalc provides both measurements for recipes, and if your scale supports both, you will find that metric measurements are more accurate x 3 because of the smaller units (.28 grams per oz).

I calculate a running total of my oils beside the measurement column on the soapcalc printed recipe. That way I can add one oil on top of another in the same container and eliminate yet one more container to wash.

I like pre-measuring my oils, so I'm ready to soap when I get some time, but based on the comments I've read here lately, I think I will start splitting my pre-measured oils into 2 containers...one for hard, another for soft, so I can warm and stir the solid oils first.

Whichever measurement column you choose, I find it useful to highlight them throughout the recipe (oils, water and lye) to prevent getting confused and switching between oz and gms when measuring...which could be disastrous.

I know nobody asked, but maybe someone out there will find this useful.

 

[chicklet]

I agree totally about measuring in grams. I've been wanting to post something like this for a while but didn't want to come across as a know-it-all. Now that you've taken on that role and the ice is broken ...just kidding! But seriously about the gram thing - I am very metrically (is that a word?) challenged but I use grams to measure all my oils. Most recommendations for essential oils, I have found, are in ounces so I'll measure out the ounces, push the button to switch to metric, then record the grams in my notes so I can use grams next time.

I've been having trouble finding containers to hold enough oil for a master batch and not take up so much space, so I like your idea about splitting into hard and soft oils - that way I can use smaller containers.

Good tips, DW - thanks for taking the time to share them.

 

[DWinMadison]

Well, I figure the forum is where we all learn. Others may disagree, and I always love to hear different perspectives. It's like learning about mixing the hard oils first...brilliant, and I'd never have thought of it.

 

[melstan775]

Yanks? Yanks? Aren't you in M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I you Confederate traitor?? ;-) J/K

Of course metrics is easier and more accurate to measure, it's 10 units in a measure, where Imperial is 16. No surprise there which one weighs out the same every time.

Random fact: The world has 172 countries. 169 of them have adapted the metric system as their official weights & measures system, including the UK, birthplace of Imperial measure in 1824. The only countries which are still using the archaic Imperial system are the United States and the outstandinly advanced and amazingly industrial nations of Liberia and Myanmar. Coincidence, no?

 

[ThenCameJen]

As another Yankee in Mississippi, I got you right off the bat. (Born and raised in Michigan in Ford country!) But yes, grams are my default measurement. Anytime you can work in a smaller increment, you're better off. However, if someone happens to have a scale that shows in decimals, they're better off in inches OR grams as opposed to a cheap one like mine that shows in 1/8 ounce increments or 2 grams. After all, 2 grams is 0.07 ounces, whereas 1/8 ounce is 0.125 ounces!

 

[DWinMadison]

Clearly, you and I have the same cheap scale when it comes decimals.

 

[DWinMadison]

I meant "Yank" (synonymous with "jerk"... hmmm :think for our Aussie and European friends. And yes, the "War of Northern Aggression" continues. Now, get the pronunciation correct. It sounds like "miss-Ippy" when done correctly.

 

[melstan775]

Missippi huh? Funny cuz I had to edit to fix my spelling because I first spelled it missippi!

 

[ThenCameJen]

I meant "Yank" (synonymous with "jerk"... hmmm :think for our Aussie and European friends. And yes, the "War of Northern Aggression" continues. Now, get the pronunciation correct. It sounds like "miss-Ippy" when done correctly.

AK! Guess I'm still just one of the few misplaced Yankees.:???:

 

[danahuff]

I agree about grams. I have found it much more accurate. I do all my measurements, even fragrances and eo's, in grams.

 

[DWinMadison]

I still use a Tbsp for EOs. It's just easier for me to remember the general rule of 1/2 Tbsp/lb of oils...and of course they don't have to be exact.

 

[danahuff]

True, but I have also found that most are 5% of the recipe, and by that logic, if I use 1 kg of oil, I just add 50 g of fragrance. Also 1 oz. is about 29 g.

 

[Relle]

I found a chart that says the aussie tbsp is 20 ml, the US is 16 ml and the UK is 15 ml.

Mine I have at the moment is 15 ml.

http://alldownunder.com/australian-convert/measurement-chart.htm

 

[new12soap]

A US Tablespoon is 15 ml. I don't use EO's but I was under the impression that many of them are used at approx 3%, unlike most (but NOT all!) skin-safe FO's that are usually used at 5%.

At 3%, that would be approximately one whole tablespoon PPO, if you don't mind mixing volume measurements for weights.

 

[Amybell]

I'm finding that I prefer using grams as well.

On a side note, I've found that a dry erase board is an awesome organizational tool for me when I'm soaping. I run all the numbers through a lye calculator, copy the info over to the dry erase board, add on the additives, and stand it up close to my work area so I can see it. Saves me from having to look for the printout, and the info is a lot bigger which makes my eyes happy. I like having all the numbers front and center.

 

[danahuff]

I'm finding that I prefer using grams as well.

On a side note, I've found that a dry erase board is an awesome organizational tool for me when I'm soaping. I run all the numbers through a lye calculator, copy the info over to the dry erase board, add on the additives, and stand it up close to my work area so I can see it. Saves me from having to look for the printout, and the info is a lot bigger which makes my eyes happy. I like having all the numbers front and center.

That's a good idea. I can't believe I didn't think of that. I'm a teacher.

 

[Loolee]

two things. first, I like to use the print out from soap calc for all my additives and I notate everything I do on there, including date, FO/EO added, any additives, or anything else that was unusual with that recipe ie: fast or slow trace. I then keep all this in a binder so that I can know exactly what recipe was made when. When you get a bunch of soaps, its a life saver.

Second, if you have a recipe in ounces, you can simply multiply the ounces times 28.3 and that will give you the amount in grams.

Third: 5 quarters weighs one ounce, and you can check your scale accuracy using this method.

 

[DWinMadison]

I'm finding that I prefer using grams as well.

On a side note, I've found that a dry erase board is an awesome organizational tool for me when I'm soaping. I run all the numbers through a lye calculator, copy the info over to the dry erase board, add on the additives, and stand it up close to my work area so I can see it. Saves me from having to look for the printout, and the info is a lot bigger which makes my eyes happy. I like having all the numbers front and center.

I otfen do the same with my iPad.

 

[DWinMadison]

two things. first, I like to use the print out from soap calc for all my additives and I notate everything I do on there, including date, FO/EO added, any additives, or anything else that was unusual with that recipe ie: fast or slow trace. I then keep all this in a binder so that I can know exactly what recipe was made when. When you get a bunch of soaps, its a life saver.

Second, if you have a recipe in ounces, you can simply multiply the ounces times 28.3 and that will give you the amount in grams.

Third: 5 quarters weighs one ounce, and you can check your scale accuracy using this method.

Great tips! Thanks.