Minimum volume???

[DWinMadison]

I posted a thought earlier an another thread that has me pondering :???:
I your experience is there a minimum VOLUME of soap necessary for successful outcome. It seems to me the times I've tried to make small batches either because I thought a traditional blender might be less messy or I don't want to waste money when trying a new technique is when I have the most problems. Smaller batches seem to trace too quickly. I've haven't had a seize (yet...knock on wood). This is, of course, worse when attempting to divide a batch for different colors. So, what is the MINIMUM amount of base oils you think makes sense?

 

[Genny]

I think 1 lb is too small, but I rarely have problems with my 2 lbers.
For maximum, I have a heck of a time with my 10 lbers.

 

[hellogorgeous]

When I first started I only did 1lb at a time in my small silicon molds. Well things turned out, but never how I wanted. As soon as I switched to 2lbs, things went much smoother - less bubbles and more time to work with swirls! I still only do 2lbs at a time. I like to keep batches small so I can make lots of different scents.

 

[thefarmerdaughter]

I have made 1 -1/12 Lb batches when trying to test out new things. I've not noticed that they traced any faster than usual. I have experienced a speedy trace due to heat loss (just my theory) I use a high number of solid oils, when dividing soap batter to color (as you mentioned) I must make certain those containers are not cold/cool. Which causes a heat transference, and my thin trace turns into a gloppy mess.

 

[DWinMadison]

I have made 1 -1/12 Lb batches when trying to test out new things. I've not noticed that they traced any faster than usual. I have experienced a speedy trace due to heat loss (just my theory) I use a high number of solid oils, when dividing soap batter to color (as you mentioned) I must make certain those containers are not cold/cool. Which causes a heat transference, and my thin trace turns into a gloppy mess.

Now see! This is why I'm on this board. That makes absolute common sense. I wonder if mixing lye water and oils at a slightly higher (or lower :??? temp (say 120f vs 110f) might help with smaller batches?

 

[Genny]

Now see! This is why I'm on this board. That makes absolute common sense. I wonder if mixing lye water and oils at a slightly higher (or lower :??? temp (say 120f vs 110f) might help with smaller batches?

Lower temperatures are better for small batches since higher temps are what accelerates trace. But at the same time, if you're using a large percentage of butters or hard oils, soaping at lower temps heighten the probability that your hard oils & butters will resolidify, which sometimes people mistaken the thickness for trace.

 

[DWinMadison]

Lower temperatures are better for small batches since higher temps are what accelerates trace. But at the same time, if you're using a large percentage of butters or hard oils, soaping at lower temps heighten the probability that your hard oils & butters will resolidify, which sometimes people mistaken the thickness for trace.

So, I'm guessing a castile soap (mostly olive oil) might be a good choice for a small batch made at a lower temp? Olive oil is certainly more available for me than palm.

 

[Genny]

So, I'm guessing a castile soap (mostly olive oil) might be a good choice for a small batch made at a lower temp?

Yep. I usually only soap at room temp & my recipes are high in olive oil. It gives a lot of time for swirling.

 

[Relle]

Don't forget if you are using pomace it will trace very quick. I soap at RT and mine traces in about 2 - 3 mins.

 

[Kansas Farm Girl]

Another thing about small batches is that you don't have any room for error in your measurements like you do with larger batches. My first batches were small and I could never count on the results, but when I moved to larger batches - 2 lbs and up, I started getting more consistent results. I tested my scale and it is accurate, but it measures in fractions and I watch the scale - as I dribble oil in I see it flip to 1/2 oz and watch how much more oil I can dribble in before it moves on to 5/8 oz. Not lots of difference if you are working with more than 2 or 3 oz of each oil but can throw your small batches off.