ca_soap
Well-Known Member
I am a bit perplexed at this one as I have done many things but have yet to have one fail such as I have with my first batch of castile. It has been in the mold for close to 24 hours now. It appears to be in a state of partial gel but it is beyond that because it has cooled off. It is also hard on the ends but soft in spots. Here are the details from the beginning, where did I go wrong and what would have caused such a problem?
Recipe which was ran through SoapCalc:
2040 grams olive oil (I used regular olive oil, not pomace and not Extra Virgin, just store bought olive oil
714 grams water
254.25 grams lye
This was superfatted at 8%, water was 35% of oil weight
Nothing else was added. oil was at just over 95 degrees and lye solution was just under 105 degrees when I blended them. I blended to a heavy trace which to me seemed to come quicker than expected considering I was using 100% olive oil, less than 5 minutes from mixing to heavy trace and pouring into mold.
Soap mixture was poured into paper lined wood mold. Finished loaf is 3 1/4" x 3" x 19". I covered top of mold with saran wrap to keep air out then placed wood lid on mold then insulated mold by wrapping it in quilted padding.
Upon checking on soap after about 18 hours I found that there was liquid on top of the soap under the saran wrap that appears to be glycerin, it is thinner than Olive oil but isn't water as it has thicker, slicker texture. I have left loaf uncovered in mold for approximately last 4 hours, nothing has changed other than some ash now forming on top. I just unmolded and loaf feels hard on outer edges but that outer edge is soft underneath.
Any thoughts as to what I did wrong or why this reacted the way it did? It has been sitting at room temp also by the way, approximately 70 degrees.
Can this be rebatched? Should I rebatch sooner rather than later or should I wait longer to see if it sets up?
Recipe which was ran through SoapCalc:
2040 grams olive oil (I used regular olive oil, not pomace and not Extra Virgin, just store bought olive oil
714 grams water
254.25 grams lye
This was superfatted at 8%, water was 35% of oil weight
Nothing else was added. oil was at just over 95 degrees and lye solution was just under 105 degrees when I blended them. I blended to a heavy trace which to me seemed to come quicker than expected considering I was using 100% olive oil, less than 5 minutes from mixing to heavy trace and pouring into mold.
Soap mixture was poured into paper lined wood mold. Finished loaf is 3 1/4" x 3" x 19". I covered top of mold with saran wrap to keep air out then placed wood lid on mold then insulated mold by wrapping it in quilted padding.
Upon checking on soap after about 18 hours I found that there was liquid on top of the soap under the saran wrap that appears to be glycerin, it is thinner than Olive oil but isn't water as it has thicker, slicker texture. I have left loaf uncovered in mold for approximately last 4 hours, nothing has changed other than some ash now forming on top. I just unmolded and loaf feels hard on outer edges but that outer edge is soft underneath.
Any thoughts as to what I did wrong or why this reacted the way it did? It has been sitting at room temp also by the way, approximately 70 degrees.
Can this be rebatched? Should I rebatch sooner rather than later or should I wait longer to see if it sets up?
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