Noob rookie mistakes when ordering oils!

[MrsFusion]

Okay, so I just ordered oils from Soapers Choice. I ordered....

Castor Oil
Coconut Oil- 76 degree Oil-
Olive Oil Extra Virgin-
Palm Oil-RBD-
Safflower, high Oliec-

I learned from reading my Crafting Soap at Home(by Country Living) book. That I shouldn't spend the extra money on the Extra Virgin Olive Oil. That the pomace olive oil, which produces odorless soaps which cure into very hard long lasting soaps. Next time I will order Pomace form olive oil.

The Coconut Oil came in a 7pd jug, but, it's in a solid state in the jug. I will probably use an exacto knife and cut the top off the jug and cover it with saran wrap. Next time I will order a larger amount and hope that it comes in a bucket with a lid.

The Palm Oil in the 7pd jug. Also in a solid state. Label states to melt and stir before using. Next time I will order the White Refined versions. That don't need to be melted and stirred.

I hope that this will help noobs out there

Live and Learn

 

[soapbuddy]

Pomace traces too fast for me, but your mileage may vary.

 

[SudsyKat]

From one newbie to another, Grade A olive oil is somewhere in the middle between Pomace and Extra Virgin. I've been using it and it's worked well so far.

 

[Soaplady22]

If you are seriously addicted, (excuse me, when!!) it won't be long before you'll be buying your coconut by the 50# cube!! Then all you need to do is cut out a chunk! (I use a very hard metal ice-cream scoop to dig mine out. Works like a charm!)

 

[Hazel]

I use the grade A OO, too.

I just wanted to mention that I bought coconut oil and during the heat of the summer it melted and remained liquid until the weather got cooler. A bucket with a lid is great for storing oils that have a tendency to liquify during hot weather. It's also easier to scoop out of when the oil isn't liquid.

 

[carebear]

Palm oil needs to be melted and stirred unless it is partially hydrogenated and homogenized (aka "no stir palm"). RBD (refined, bleached, deodorized) does not equal homogenized.

No Stir palm is great stuff, and is called just that.

 

[jadiebugs1]

If you are seriously addicted, (excuse me, when!!) it won't be long before you'll be buying your coconut by the 50# cube!! Then all you need to do is cut out a chunk! (I use a very hard metal ice-cream scoop to dig mine out. Works like a charm!)

yep, that's what I do! :wink:

 

[BakingNana]

What Carebear said, plus it should be easy to melt the coconut oil in the 7 lb jug by just immersing it in a sink of hot water. It melts pretty quickly. After it's all melted you can pour it into another container if you don't want to remelt it every time.

 

[Chris-2010]

If you ordered the good extra-virgin olive oil, then I'd just divert that olive oil to the kitchen.

Palm oil is hard. If you want to break it into chucks from a 7 lb jug (gallon size), then cut the top off with a utility knife, then use a clean, sharp, say 12-inch long wood-spade bit, and smack it with a hammer; like a chisel. If you have a 50 lb block, then the tool of choice is a butcher knife. Be careful.

Coconut oil changes state: 60 degrees F and its solid. 95 degrees F and its a clear thin runny liquid. If the 7 lb jug just came out of the fridge then its coconut oil is rock hard and you can break off chunks using the spade-bit chisel method. Given a bit of time, water melting works well for coconut oil: it produces the fine and clear liquid oil.

 

[judymoody]

Well at least you didn't buy unrefined palm oil. I did for my first batch of soap and it came out bright orange.

I also buy from soaper's choice and I cut off the top of the coconut oil container with a serrated bread knife and put saran on top secured with a couple of rubber bands. Ditto for PKO and Babassu which are even harder. For regular palm oil, the hot water bath method works just fine. Did that last night.

Happy soaping!

 

[Deda]

Palm oil is hard. If you want to break it into chucks from a 7 lb jug (gallon size), then cut the top off with a utility knife, then use a clean, sharp, say 12-inch long wood-spade bit, and smack it with a hammer; like a chisel. If you have a 50 lb block, then the tool of choice is a butcher knife. Be careful.

I think you mean PKO, Palm Kernel Oil. Palm oil is sorta buttery. About the same consistency as coconut.

 

[MrsFusion]

Thanks for all the tips everyone

The hardest part is waiting to use all this fun stuff I've been making

 

[Chris-2010]

Yes, palm kernel.

 

[paillo]

this discussion is SOOOO helpful, thank you all! i've been ordering in 7- to 8-lb quantities and am ready to graduate to the larger tubs. now i'm REALLY ready, reading about what a pain it sounds like to get to the smaller solidified products that are in a solid state. ickkkkk!!!!!

anyone in the virginia area interested in a trip to southern soapers in newport news area? i'd love to take a trip there and stock up on a bunch of bulk supplies before they close up shop, and am willing to split expenses, driving, etc. etc....