Rebatching - some people have to learn the hard way

[SudsyKat]

Isn't it funny how some people just have to learn things the hard way? I read a dozen posts today about people would rather have a root canal than do a rebatch and yet I decided to try it for myself.

If you're thinking about doing a rebatch, let me confirm for you that it is, in fact, arduous, pointless, fruitless and extremely annoying. I have a cramp in my neck/shoulder from all the grating, and the end result is really ugly and hardly worth the effort.

 

[melstan775]

I wonder why people hand grate when you could just feed it though a food processor. That would save half the trouble!

 

[lizflowers42]

I rebatched fresh soap and it was still very soft-easier than shredding cheese!

Also if you use fresh soap that hasn't cured completely you don't want to put it in a food processor you plan on using for food prep!

 

[DWinMadison]

I rebatched fresh soap and it was still very soft-easier than shredding cheese!

Also if you use fresh soap that hasn't cured completely you don't want to put it in a food processor you plan on using for food prep!

I read over and of about never using anything that was used for cp for food again. Is that just from an abundance of caution. Seems to me that almost anything can be cleaned enough to use again unless it is particularly porous.

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

I read over and of about never using anything that was used for cp for food again. Is that just from an abundance of caution. Seems to me that almost anything can be cleaned enough to use again unless it is particularly porous.

If you're just making soap for yourself (as in not selling) and you have a great dishwasher...there really isn't a necessity to use different nonporous utensils and such for soap EXCEPT for your lye pitcher/container. You absolutely should have a separate container for mixing lye that is ONLY used for mixing lye. Also, some FOs and EOs will leave an odor that almost can be washed away. You just should be scrupulous with your cleaning.
Since I sell my soap, I have an entire separate set of utensils, tools, etc for my soapmaking, and I like it that way. Even before I sold, I kept them separate. I have a super high quality dishwasher that will sanitize and clean just about anything...but I do notice that EO bottles still have a faint odor after going through the wash, so they get another go round. Just something to think about...

As for rebatching, it doesn't have to be such a pain...the sooner you do it (from pouring into the mold) the better. Grating or chopping it up is just an unfortunate necessity (I chop mine up as small as I can)...but its better than wasting ingredients (money!) that are salvageable! The trick is to have enough liquid that it is "loose" without having so much liquid that it morphs like crazy while it cures. Add little bits of liquid as it melts...then only add more if you can't stir it. You want it like the texture of soft cookie dough or super thick brownie batter (can you tell I have a sweet tooth?). Any more fluid than that and its gonna shrink as it dries (if it dries) and any harder/thicker and you'll have a hard time getting it smooth-ish in the mold. Try using a crockpot liner as a "frosting bag"...cut the corner off one end and squeeze the rebatched soap into the mold...bang bang on the counter to remove air bubbles...use a piece of Saran Wrap to smooth the top with your hand. Ta-dah!

 

[paillo]

i hate rebatching too, but never want to waste a failed batch. when one does fail and i have to rebatch and it's ugly fugly i use it for sugar scrubbies or felted soaps -- nobody needs to see my goofs it helps if you can rebatch it immediately, too -- much easier to shred and recook. when i rebatch i let mine cure for longer than i normally would, too...

alchemy and ashes' suggestions are right on.

 

[Genny]

For older soaps that need to be rebatched, I reprocess them. I usually do 2/3 new recipe & 1/3 old soap shreds. Mix the old soap with the oils, then add the lye solution. If done correctly, it looks just like regular CP.

 

[lizflowers42]

I read over and of about never using anything that was used for cp for food again. Is that just from an abundance of caution. Seems to me that almost anything can be cleaned enough to use again unless it is particularly porous.

Well, I have one food processor that I love dearly. I have used it to shred home made soap, but only soap that I know has cured for over a month (and I know this because I buy things in bulk and stuff hangs out in my closet for long periods of time!) So far I haven't been ill or had internal lye burns!

I just picked up a box grater at Goodwill for a buck that I've added to my soap only supplies for shredding fresh soap for rebatch!

 

[judymoody]

Some people use salad shooters for their rebatching.

I just chop it into small cubes and throw it in a SS kettle. I prefer doing it in the oven than in the crockpot. I also don't get perfectionistic about it - what would be the point?

 

[melstan775]

Thanks for you amazing tips Shawnee. You're always do
Kind with sharing. Does anyone know if it's safe to use a plastic pitcher for lye mixing or does it absolutely have to be glass/Pyrex?

 

[Genny]

Thanks for you amazing tips Shawnee. You're always do
Kind with sharing. Does anyone know if it's safe to use a plastic pitcher for lye mixing or does it absolutely have to be glass/Pyrex?

It shouldn't be glass/pyrex. The new pyrex has been known to explode when people have used it for lye.

Plastic (I can't remember the #'s) and stainless steel are the way to go.

 

[DWinMadison]

It shouldn't be glass/pyrex. The new pyrex has been known to explode when people have used it for lye.

Plastic (I can't remember the #'s) and stainless steel are the way to go.

Oops. I've been using a mason jar. Is that bad?

 

[SudsyKat]

Yeah, I use plastic - it works very well.

 

[lizflowers42]

Im getting a little addicted to rebatching! Tonight I took some scraps of soap, put them in my cheapo thrifted crock pot, poured flat champagne left over from new years day and let it go for 40 minutes. It was nice and squishy and I added in some patchouli eo! I pressed it into my trusty dollar store silicone heart molds and gave it a few hard waps on the counter! When I put the crock pot to soak there was an explosion of bubbles when I filled it with water! I can't wait for it to dry up so I can use it in the shower!

 

[melstan775]

That sounds amazing Liz! Can't wait for pics and reviews. Hint hint. .

I'm glad you mentioned thrifted equipment. I went to the thrift store yesterday looking for a crock pot and whatever else I can find. I found silicon load molds I hope will still be there Monday. However, they wanted more for crock pots then a brand new one at Walmart. I was so turned off by that I didn't attempt to bargain. Maybe next time!

 

[lizflowers42]

That sounds amazing Liz! Can't wait for pics and reviews. Hint hint. .

I'm glad you mentioned thrifted equipment. I went to the thrift store yesterday looking for a crock pot and whatever else I can find. I found silicon load molds I hope will still be there Monday. However, they wanted more for crock pots then a brand new one at Walmart. I was so turned off by that I didn't attempt to bargain. Maybe next time!

Oh sure thing! I don't mind taking pictures! I really love this crock pot too-super retro! And it gets hatter than the one I use for cooking!

 

[lizflowers42]

Hotter *

They aren't fancy but they smell good!

 

[melstan775]

It shouldn't be glass/pyrex. The new pyrex has been known to explode when people have used it for lye.

Plastic (I can't remember the #'s) and stainless steel are the way to go.

Oh okay. I see a lot of people use glass pitchers on the youtube. I guess consider the source? What about plastics? Some yea and some nay? If I can get cheap plastic pitchers at the dollar store that would be my preference. Or, can someone recommend pouring pitchers?

Nevermind. I found the thread on plastics!

 

[melstan775]

Oh sure thing! I don't mind taking pictures! I really love this crock pot too-super retro! And it gets hatter than the one I use for cooking!

I have a really old crock pot. I love it so much for cooking still that I can't bing myself to use it for soap. It remains in the kitchen safely away, even if it means a month before I can get a crock purely for soap!

 

[Kersten]

Oh okay. I see a lot of people use glass pitchers on the youtube. I guess consider the source? What about plastics? Some yea and some nay? If I can get cheap plastic pitchers at the dollar store that would be my preference. Or, can someone recommend pouring pitchers?

Nevermind. I found the thread on plastics!

I went to TJ Max and found a really nice stainless steel pitcher for a really good price..under $20. I love it for mixing lye because I know it will not explode or deteriorate and I can cool the lye in a water bath in half the time