Need a little advice on when to unmold & issue with cp soap not fully gelling

[Southernsoaper]

Hi,

I know several factors Influence when to unmold, but my question is more so aimed to when to unmold with diffrent molds. I made a batch of cp soap (recipe attached) and the two loaf molds are hard enough to unmold after 24hr but my circular flower molds are hard on the surface exposed to air, but the underside portions of the soap (where designs are) are quite dentable. Is it uncommon to leave soap in molds past the 24-48 hour mark? Could it possibly be benefital to leave the soap in the flower mold for up to a week to really ensure no designs are lost upon unmolding? I had the two load molds on a heater pad and heated for 50ish minutes after pouring, but the small flower mold was not on a heating pad. It was just close to the heater pad It was also a very cold day, I blended at 92F,

Thanks so much.

I guess I might also ask while I’m here, if anyone had any guesses as to why the soap didn’t go through gel even when I used the heater pad? I usually never fill this loaf mold up all the way, but I needed to cut small square bars from this loaf mold, so I decided to use the full capacity. I also poured at medium trace. Usually with the heater pads I never see any color differences induced by gelling. I also should say I put a piece of Saran Wrap directly on the soap to prevent soda ash. Which is another post I’m about to make… lol

Thanks so much


Edit, after 24 hours the soap temp on the surface of the loaf mold is 75F, the soap room is usually 66-68F. First time I’ve had a warm soap after 24 hours

 

[bookworm42]

Is it uncommon to leave soap in molds past the 24-48 hour mark?

Nope. I've made some single cavity soaps and have left them in the mold for 2 weeks before I popped them out. (I forgot about them...) Your cavity soaps are probably softer since they don't gel/it's hard to get them to gel without overheating.

I had the two load molds on a heater pad and heated for 50ish minutes after pouring

I've found that when soaping in colder temps it takes more to get gel especially if the room your soap is in is colder than usual.
I normally soap at 120F and when using just a heating pad I end up with partial gel. I've started wrapping a towel around my loaf and placing it under a box while on a heating pad that I turn off after about an hour and that seems to help.

You could also try the CPOP method. That involves turning your oven on to about 175F letting it get up to temp. Place your soap in and turn the oven off. Let sit overnight (not sure on the exact time since I've not done this method before).

 

[Southernsoaper]

Nope. I've made some single cavity soaps and have left them in the mold for 2 weeks before I popped them out. (I forgot about them...) Your cavity soaps are probably softer since they don't gel/it's hard to get them to gel without overheating.


I've found that when soaping in colder temps it takes more to get gel especially if the room your soap is in is colder than usual.
I normally soap at 120F and when using just a heating pad I end up with partial gel. I've started wrapping a towel around my loaf and placing it under a box while on a heating pad that I turn off after about an hour and that seems to help.

You could also try the CPOP method. That involves turning your oven on to about 175F letting it get up to temp. Place your soap in and turn the oven off. Let sit overnight (not sure on the exact time since I've not done this method before).

Thank you for that info. Ima check into soaping around 120 and see if that gives any good results. If you don’t mind me asking, what’s the longest you’ve let a loaf mold harden? Im worries if I pull it out of the mold and take the wrapping off too soon (24 hour ish after pouring), then soda ash could form. But I also am concerned about if I wait too long, it could be too hard to cut (48hours). Since I have a 25% hard oil, 25# hard butter, and 50% soft oil. I’d rather upgrade my soap wire than deal with soda ash. Soda ash has ruined so many of my single cavity molds. I’ll attach a video for giggles. soda ash is my enemy for some reason lol

 

[bookworm42]

I leave my loaf for 18-24 hrs. I want my soap to be soft enough I can cut without issues. I'm not too concerned about soda ash though.

I've heard from others about how to decrease soda ash.
Spray top with rubbing alcohol
Cover/wrap even after cutting for about a week
Use a higher lye concentration (many do 40%)
@AliOop might have more. She's who I got most of this list from.

 

[AliOop]

I leave my loaf for 18-24 hrs. I want my soap to be soft enough I can cut without issues. I'm not too concerned about soda ash though.

I've heard from others about how to decrease soda ash.
Spray top with rubbing alcohol
Cover/wrap even after cutting for about a week
Use a lower lye concentration (many do 40%)
@AliOop might have more. She's who I got most of this list from.

Yes, that's most of what I do, except I'm pretty sure you meant to say "higher" lye concentration, not lower.

Soaping at higher temperatures can also reduce or limit ash, but of course, the soap batter will also trace faster. It's a balancing act, for sure!

 

[bookworm42]

except I'm pretty sure you meant to say "higher" lye concentration, not lower.

Thanks! I did.
I've fixed it now I think it's time for bed...