question about gel

[Emilee]

I've never had a batch of cp soap gel yet, or if I have i don't know it.

I have a large rectangular mold that I put dividers in. I don't know what the mold is made of, maybe thick perspex.

I cover my soap with glad wrap and a blanket, but I'm just wondering if because I don't have a wooden mold, I don't get gel.

I'm not too worried, as i like the soap without gel, but after searching the forum awhile, I can't seem to find any posts on the benefits of 'to gel or not to gel.... that is the question.

Any enlightening knowledge on gel much appreciated.

 

[heartsong]

gel

to gel or not to gel...that is the question!

my c/p soaps gel and my rtcp soaps dont and to tell you they truth, i cant tell the difference. i've never found a thread explaining this phenomenon, but i believe it has to do with the temperatures achieved in the mold. i use 18-bar wooden molds on both.

 

[AshleyR]

I have made gelled soaps and non-gelled soaps. The only differences I have noticed is that the colour in the gelled soap is darker than non-gelled (and in my recent experience with oxides and ultramarines - the colour in the non-gelled soap looked better). I also found that my non-gelled soap was "lighter". I don't know why, but it felt more like a whipped soap whereas the gelled soap seems a little more dense. I don't know if anyone else has ever noticed that? Could have just been my particular recipe.

 

[mandolyn]

My ungelled soaps are more opaque & have a different texture, smoother feeling to me. My gelled soaps seem just a tad bit more translucent than the nongelled.

 

[Emilee]

thanks guys, great info. I prefer lighter colours and lighter soap, so I will continue to be happy that my soap doesn't gel and stop worrying about it.