My first salt bars!

[saltydog]

I'm so excited, talk about instant gratification!
These bars hardened up in just under 2 hours. I like the way they look, but I'd like to try them again in individual molds, too. Juniper Breeze FO goes soo nice with these, can't wait to try 'em



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[Hazel]

Those look fantastic! I love how you textured the tops. What percentage of salt did you use?

 

[JackiK]

Wow, those are nice. I've yet to try and make any. Still enjoying Hazel's!!

 

[ewenique]

Pretty stark white and fluffy top! Bet you'll love using them.

 

[saltydog]

Thanks, I'm afraid the tops are going to be to scratchy, the soap seems so hard. I couldn't resist, tho, when the batter thickened so quickly!
Hazel, I did 16 oz. of oils and 16 oz. of fine sea salt- not too sure of the terminology for that. I know some use less and some use more. I figured the middle of the road sounded good to start with.

Also, I'm super confused how to figure out salt bars in SoapCalc, (water discounts and so forth) so I followed this recipe from Ladybug Soapworks: http://thesoapbar.blogspot.com/2008/07/ ... works.html

 

[Hazel]

Val -

With equal proportions, it would be 100% salt. I haven't done a 100% bar. I started at 60%, went up to 70% and my last 3 batches have been approximately 80% (32 oz oils/25-26 oz salt). Hmm...maybe I should be daring and try 100%. :wink:

I don't discount water for salt bars. I use the default on SoapCalc since I know the salt is going to make the batch really thick. But that's just me. I'm sure more experienced salt bar makers do it differently.

A little off topic here - Jackie,

Salt bars last forever, don't they?

 

[Relle]

Very pretty, looks like ice from a glacier.

 

[saltydog]

Val -

With equal proportions, it would be 100% salt. I haven't done a 100% bar. I started at 60%, went up to 70% and my last 3 batches have been approximately 80% (32 oz oils/25-26 oz salt). Hmm...maybe I should be daring and try 100%. :wink:

I don't discount water for salt bars. I use the default on SoapCalc since I know the salt is going to make the batch really thick. But that's just me. I'm sure more experienced salt bar makers do it differently.

Do you mind telling me then, how do you figure out your salt amount? Do you enter it in SoapCalc? Or do you just do the math?
I never discount water, either, I only did it because I wanted to follow her recipe precisely.

 

[JackiK]

A little off topic here - Jackie,

Salt bars last forever, don't they?

Yes; thankfully, they do!!

 

[Hazel]

Val -

With equal proportions, it would be 100% salt. I haven't done a 100% bar. I started at 60%, went up to 70% and my last 3 batches have been approximately 80% (32 oz oils/25-26 oz salt). Hmm...maybe I should be daring and try 100%. :wink:

I don't discount water for salt bars. I use the default on SoapCalc since I know the salt is going to make the batch really thick. But that's just me. I'm sure more experienced salt bar makers do it differently.

Do you mind telling me then, how do you figure out your salt amount? Do you enter it in SoapCalc? Or do you just do the math?
I never discount water, either, I only did it because I wanted to follow her recipe precisely.

I just take the amount of oils and multiply it by the percentage. So, I take 32 oz of oils x 80% = 25.6 oz salt. I generally have the 26 oz containers of salt so I just add the entire container. This is just how I do it. I type the amount of salt needed for the recipe under "Additives" before I print out the recipe. Then if I don't get to make it soon, the info is on the paper.

I don't know if this is the correct way to do it. But it works out great for me. I've been really happy with 80% salt and I don't have to weigh the salt. If you haven't noticed, I'm a little lazy about soap making and try to make it as simple as possible.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

They look wonderful. :wink:

 

[saltydog]

I just take the amount of oils and multiply it by the percentage. So, I take 32 oz of oils x 80% = 25.6 oz salt. I generally have the 26 oz containers of salt so I just add the entire container. This is just how I do it. I type the amount of salt needed for the recipe under "Additives" before I print out the recipe. Then if I don't get to make it soon, the info is on the paper.

I don't know if this is the correct way to do it. But it works out great for me. I've been really happy with 80% salt and I don't have to weigh the salt. If you haven't noticed, I'm a little lazy about soap making and try to make it as simple as possible.

This was so helpful, Hazel, thank you so much!
When I read it, it all clicked for me. Now I can put my own recipe into SoapCalc to use oils that I have on hand. I only have one 2# mold, so the 26 oz. container of salt sounds like the way to go! I detest math, so this is great for me
I am going to try it in individual molds and not do a water discount. I'm thinking that way, I just may be able to pour it all relatively smoothly, but I'm not sure. I'll let you know how they come out- I ordered some heavy-duty rounded 3 oz. rectangle molds.

 

[Dragonkaz]

Your salt bars look beautiful! Love the fluffy tops!

I make mine 70% salt and pour them into muffin moulds. Love them!

 

[saltydog]

Thank you, all, for the compliments and help. They are deeply appreciated!

 

[Hazel]

I'm glad I could help. Just keep in mind that when you add the 32 oz of oils, 26 oz of salt and I round off and use 12 oz of liquid, you're going to need a mold for approximately 70 oz. (You probably didn't need this reminder.)

I used to use a 4 lb wooden loaf mold for salt bars. Then I started using a 2 lb loaf mold and pour the rest into a silicone mold with individual cavities. After I pour the 2 lb mold and silicone cavity mold, I still end up with a tiny bit over. I put the extra into a silicone mold with heart shaped cavities. I also have a small silicone mold for round guest sized soaps and it works really well for tiny salt bars. The hearts and circles make nice embeds or samples.

I posted a pic of the large round and tiny heart individual salt bars if you want to look at the shapes. It's the top pic in the topic.

http://soapmakingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22973

 

[dcornett]

Your salt bars look great! I love your tops

 

[saltydog]

Thank you!!

 

[Bama]

I used that same recipe and now have tryed the soap and it makes your skin feel so very soft. Not much lather. I used Butt Naked FO and oh my does it smell good.