Pencil line in HP?

[Seawolfe]

I'm planning my next HP soap. It needs to be HP because all my CP soaps are curing and I'd like some we can use nowish. The plan is for my basic soap (OO, CO & castor oil), with some dried ground lavender speckles and lavender EO added at the end of the cook. Then I started to wonder if it was possible to try a pencil line with HP? My last HP was very stiff and glopy, but I had taken it to a very thick trace before the cooking. I was thinking if I blended to a thinner trace this time it might not be so gloppy and a pencil line might work?

 

[new12soap]

You can try a pencil line, sure. Use full water, and if you have any add sodium lactate at 1-2%, that will help keep it more fluid to pour.

But, even tho HP soap is "safe" to use after it cooks, it still needs to cure just like CP. The only difference is it is completely saponified, so it would be like using a CP soap that is 3 or 4 days old.

 

[dryalligator]

:?:Is your superfat in the recipe when you put it in the crockpot or is it at some other time in the cooking process? If you superfat at a later time it will make the batter easier to manage and you could decorate the soap how you wish. Sodium Lactate will also help in keeping the soap more fluid. Before you ask the amount, you'll need to do some research for your recipe. For my 2 1/2 pd recipe I use about 2 tblsp.

 

[Seawolfe]

I don't have any sodium lactate, but adding the super fat after the cook sounds like a good idea. I know it wants some cure time, but this will fill a gap in our line up.

Which of the oils would be best to hold back for the superfatting? Olive oil or coconut oil? The castor oil is such a small amount I'd like it to completely saponify.

 

[dryalligator]

Your hearts desire! Superfatting in HP means whatever oil you have will be the superfat. I use cocobutter, shea, coconut etc...

 

[soap_rat]

I believe that coconut oil is much more comedogenic than olive oil, so I would use olive oil if this soap will be used on faces.

 

[Seawolfe]

Good to know this, thanks! I was also thinking of maybe superfatting with cocoa butter or maybe even almond oil. So what would be best to super fat with? Olive oil, cocoa butter, or almond oil?

I believe that coconut oil is much more comedogenic than olive oil, so I would use olive oil if this soap will be used on faces.

 

[Alprinceton]

You may try coconut milk or soy cream once tracing starts

 

[seven]

I dont think it matters whether you bring it to a thin or thick trace. with hp, the soap will go thru gel coz of the heat. you might wanna consider full water if you want a 'workable' batter. also, my last 2 hp batches, i turned off the pot when i saw the soap halfway thru its vaseline stage, and just let the rest of the heat finish the cooking process. i didnt stir at all except at the end. i can say that the soap turned out more smooth and harmonious. no more dry soap messing at the side of the pot.

 

[Seawolfe]

Thanks for all your help! This was a fun project for me - I learned a lot and am pleased with how it turned out.
I posted the process and some pics of how it turned out over in the photo thread > Newbie Lavender Soap

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

Very nice!

Will also add, it won't fill too much of a gap as it will also need a decent cure - maybe 3 weeks instead of the 4 for CP, but it would be better after 4