Palm Kernel Flakes vs. Palm Kernel Oil

[MatthewDM]

Wholesales Supplies Plus sells Palm Kernel Flakes but not Palm Kernel Oil. Is there any difference?

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=19754

Looks like the flakes are just easier to work with, like when we get cocoa butter as little bits rather than in one VERY solid lump that would be a pain to work with

 

[new12soap]

Yes, there is a difference. The flakes are hydrogenated. If you look at the properties on soapcalc you can see the difference.

As for which is better, unless you want to chisel off what you need I would say get the flakes. The ease of use is worth it.

Do NOT order them in hot weather.

 

[Soap Techniques]

Palm kernel flakes = hydrogenated palm kernel oil.
Hydrogenated PKO has considerably more stearic acid which makes a harder soap and also accelerates trace.

 

[Nevada]

Palm Kernel oil flakes has noticeably more Stearic and less Oleic.
My rule of thumb is to add Palmitic & Stearic to make "True Hardness"
PKOF TH = 24
PKO TH = 10

Palm kernel oil Flakes
Lauric 49
Myristic 17
Palmitic 8
Stearic 16
Ricinoleic 0
Oleic 4
Linoleic 0
Linolenic 0

Palm kernel oil
Lauric 49
Myristic 16
Palmitic 8
Stearic 2
Ricinoleic 0
Oleic 15
Linoleic 3
Linolenic 0

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

Also looking at the numbers, I wonder if pkof is a better option for shaving soaps than the co.......?

 

[Obsidian]

I thought the same thing. My next shaving soap will have PKF instead of coconut.

 

[TVivian]

I've made a couple of batches where I sub half of the CO in my recipe for Palm kernel flakes and I'm not a fan! It seems drying and hard to lather. Anyone else or is it just me?

 

[Obsidian]

Might just be you. I prefer palm flakes over coconut, its less harsh then coconut and lathers just as well.

 

[TVivian]

That's exactly why I wanted to try it and I don't have sensitive skin... So now I'm wondering if it's the actual bag of flakes that's the problem.,

 

[TRBeck]

Also looking at the numbers, I wonder if pkof is a better option for shaving soaps than the co.......?

I have used PKOF in shaving soaps, and it yields an excellent result. I don't like using palm products, but it does work well. The lather in the PKOF soap was marginally more cushioning than that from coconut oil, but not enough for me to continue using it.