Scaling-Up

[Cellador]

So, I'm finding it necessary to scale-up my batches for the time being. I'm planning on making a small jump from ~2 lbs to 4 lbs, separate but identical soap molds. Are there any common scaling-up issues I should anticipate? Recipes moving faster (or slower) than before? Gelling or overheating changes?
Thanks in advance!

 

[dixiedragon]

At those sizes, I don't think you will have significant problems. Just remember to fill your soap pot NO MORE than 1/2 full. Also, always ask yourself, "Can I carry this pot?" Remember it is hot, heavy and caustic! Be safe!

As batches get larger, they get warmer faster and stay warmer longer. Not usually a problem, but if you have a touchy FO you need to be sure you are ready to move quickly.

 

[cmzaha]

I use 1-gallon HDPE buckets for my batches that are 59 oz of oils. There is plenty of room. I notice no difference in my 59 oz oils batches versus my 30 oz test batches. The HDPE buckets are light and easy to pour. I also double up with a few soaps using a 2-gallon bucket with no noticeable changes in the batter. All my recipes are pretty quick tracers so I have to work quick no matter what.

I do agree with Dixiedragon they will warm up quicker so I soap cool or even leave my oils cloudy. My batches are either high in tallow or palm (45%). When cloudy the batter will initially thicken such as a false trace, using room temp masterbatched NaOH solution. After a short burst of the SB, it will mix and start heating up.

 

[dixiedragon]

The largest batch I like to make is 4 logs - 40 bars. I've made larger once or twice, but for me that's unwieldy. My preferred size batch is 20 bars.

 

[cmzaha]

The largest batch I like to make is 4 logs - 40 bars. I've made larger once or twice, but for me that's unwieldy. My preferred size batch is 20 bars.

My go-to recipes are just too fast-moving for me to pour 4 logs at a time. I get 14 bars out of each log using 59 oz oils.

 

[Cellador]

Excellent advice. Thank you!

 

[Cellador]

Do larger batches take longer to saponify? I did a double batch on Monday night, and I couldn't unmold it after the same amount of time I normally wait for my standard recipe. A couple of hours later (normally when I'd be cutting), I could unmold it but it was still a little soft & it zapped.
Thinking I made a mistake, I tried the same recipe again last night, and I am having similar problems.
I check Monday's batch again, and it's not zapping anymore. Maybe it just needed more time than usual?

 

[amd]

It might depend on how your molds are setup? My batch sizes increase by mold length (so I have 6", 12" and 24") and they seem to take the same amount of time. I have noticed that in a slab mold my soap seems to take a few hours longer though. I'm just guessing here though.