Just made my second ever batch of soap and it didn't go according to plan! It's just after midnight here in the UK and I'm just finished. The first batch I made (last Sat), I only just melted the solid oils and let the lye water cool right down (maybe too cool) so when I got too thick a trace very quickly I first thought false trace, mix a little more by hand but no, It was a full trace. Plopped it in the mould, gelled half and put the other half in the freezer to prevent gel.Not the best looking soap but I trimmed it to the point where it looks ok.It is 1 week old and lathers very nicely. So, onto todays foray.Last weeks soap being still a bit "spongy" and me being impatient I thought I'd discount the water to 28% of oil weight (33% concentration). Warmed oils more than before, added lye solution when it was bearable to hold, SB'D in short bursts, stirred a little got a very light trace - Fab. Added the FO - Oh no! NOW I KNOW WHAT SOAP ON A STICK IS! Couldn't prevent gel even in the freezer for my "experiment" of gel half and not gel half so I warmed in the oven with the rest and let it gel fully. Floral? I hear you ask. No - peaches and cream! Can't find my camera or I would post pics of what not to do! Never mind at least I got a good peachy colour from infusing 2tsp of paprika in my OO then straining it and adding to the rest of oils. Oh well off to bed now I will try again next week!
Second Batch Failure
- Thread starter radar-78
- Start date
Help Support Soapmaking Forum:
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2010
- Messages
- 6,117
- Reaction score
- 5,420
Sounds like you may have soaped too hot! Still, it will be usable and will smell great. Maybe you're just getting all your bombs out early and they rest will be smooth sailing!!!
soapbuddy
Well-Known Member
Sounds like it will be ok. I put my hand around the soap pot and the lye water pitcher and if both are just comfortably warm, I combine the two. Keep good notes. If you want to make this soap again, leave it in the pot til it gels and cooks itself. Then just glop into your mold.
Bubbles Galore
Well-Known Member
Soap on a Stick comes as a shock the first time it happens. :shock: I never had a problem until I started discounting water. :wink:
I think I had it right the first time, it just traced so quickly I carried on hand stirring but it just got thicker.Next batch I will go back to full water and cooler temps but will stop mixing when it traces - hopefully I can recognise a good trace now! Quick question does it matter/is it better to add FO to the oils before lye or to the mix at trace? PS I trimmed the bars this morning and they're not too bad - useable at least! Thanks to everyone for your help & support.
ikindred
Well-Known Member
I never discount water because I don't understand enough to see the purpose or what the results should be :shock:
ikindred said:
Ditto. The only thing I can figure is saving time. I'm just hobbying, so don't mind spending more time to prevent problems. Slow and steady wins the race. Maybe there are other reasons for discounting? Anyone?
Similar threads
