Dorymae
Well-Known Member
Hot process is different, not better but different. If you want to be able to do easy swirling and lots of colors cold process is the way to go. However if you want to strictly control your superfat then hot process is easier.
It is a different way in that you are cooking the soap first, then molding it. For some people (Me) this makes it much more difficult as the soap is much thicker and usually ( for me) this means glopping it into the mold rather than pouring. This leads to the cut soap having a more rustic look.
That said, I have seen some soaps (few and far between) that I could not tell were hot process and were swirled beautifully. I know there are additives you can use to keep the soap more fluid during hot process, but they have never worked that well for me ( although they do keep the "lumpiness" to a minimum. )
I would say go ahead and try hot process out so you'll have a better understanding of it but realize that unless you are super talented with the process or very lucky with your recipe that your results may be less refined looking than you can achieve with cold process.
Edited to add: hot process does not have a quicker cure time. All soap should be cured 4-8 weeks or longer. It is not just the water you are evaporating for a harder bar, but also waiting for the soap to improve in mildness and lather. This process can not be rushed, it simply is what it is.
It is a different way in that you are cooking the soap first, then molding it. For some people (Me) this makes it much more difficult as the soap is much thicker and usually ( for me) this means glopping it into the mold rather than pouring. This leads to the cut soap having a more rustic look.
That said, I have seen some soaps (few and far between) that I could not tell were hot process and were swirled beautifully. I know there are additives you can use to keep the soap more fluid during hot process, but they have never worked that well for me ( although they do keep the "lumpiness" to a minimum. )
I would say go ahead and try hot process out so you'll have a better understanding of it but realize that unless you are super talented with the process or very lucky with your recipe that your results may be less refined looking than you can achieve with cold process.
Edited to add: hot process does not have a quicker cure time. All soap should be cured 4-8 weeks or longer. It is not just the water you are evaporating for a harder bar, but also waiting for the soap to improve in mildness and lather. This process can not be rushed, it simply is what it is.
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