Problem with my Spiced Soap--With Pics!

[orangeblossom]

I have infused olive with cloves and cinnamon.
I know that high amounts of clove cause a fast trace, but I have making this soap for 7years and have never had any problems.

So my recipe was
Olive oil: 33oz
Coconut Oil: 25 oz.
Palm Oil: 22 oz.
Shea Butter: 1oz

Water: 20 oz. (Cinnamon Tea)
Lye: 11.25 oz.

I do basic CPOP directions. I have done this for years and never had any problems, so this has really frustrated me this week!

I made this soap 3 times in the last week and it hasn't turned out yet. The first seized up on me so fast, I broke my spoon getting it out of the pot. The second time I got it in the mold, but it was oozing lye water, so I tossed it out of frustration.
I made it a third time and I stirred slow and got it into the mold before seizing. But I just unmolded it and there is a thin layer at the bottom, and sides of lye water--lots o' zap! I am so frustrated and can hardly stand it! This is one of my favorite soaps and I just don't get it!
There is more ash on top than usual, and lye water just barely coating the entire bottom and sides.

Will the slab be usable? Or do I have to rebatch it?

 

[orangeblossom]

I just looked at it again, and the lye water has evaporated completely, but there is still zap. There are swirls in the soap, unintentionally, off white creamy swirls. The soap is a brownish-tan color. I'm trying to upload photos, but lost my connector wire. I'll keep looking.

 

[orangeblossom]

Click On Pic to make bigger:

 

[heartsong]

soap

i am so sorry this is happening-especially with a long time tried and true recipe!

are you using the same oils from the same distributors? in other words you are still using the same oils as from successful batches?

are you using the same lye batch?

i guess i'm asking-what is new or different than batches from 6 months ago? are you still using the same supplies?

i'm kind of leaning towards the spices. if they are fresh, they react more.

may i suggest using cassia-cinnamon leaf? its sweeter and non reactive. also cheap.

my best suggestion would be make a 1/4 batch with no spices whatsoever-if it does it again you'll know it's reacting to the spices-i'm guessing it's the tea water itself. i've never had problems with ground spices infused oils.

wish i could be of more help! i know the frustration firsthand when a good recipe goes south on you for no good reason.

keep the faith!

 

[ChrissyB]

I can't help you, but I can tell you I know how you feel if that makes you feel any better!!