SMF February 2021 Challenge - Circling Taiwan Swirl

[Mobjack Bay]

I now have three soaps in additional to the one I posted. Two are contenders, but they’re wildly different because one is made with micas and one with natural colorants. It’s going to be hard to decide which soap to enter. I’m happy that I bought the mold with the dividers because I like making this design even if it makes a mess and wastes soap. I’ve come up with a new strategy/way to use the recovered batter (somewhat hypothetical at this point) and will report on it in the future if it works out as planned.

I have five 500 ml funnel pitchers and one that’s marked 900 ml at the top. I use the larger one all the time for batches made with batter layered in the pot, line pours and ITP swirls. I mostly use the smaller ones for general mixing and pouring of different colors, but they’re also good for line pours or faux funnel pouring. The small ones are very useful for pouring batter between dividers for this technique. If counter space is limited, be aware that funnel pitchers take up more room than cups.

 

[amd]

Okay. I did it. Changed my mind a few times... Finally committed myself. Not to a mental facility, just the soap. Realized I have an FO that plays ridiculous well but is not enough for a regular batch, so I decided to use it and reformulate the recipe to something I thought I could still get fluidity but not DOS. Changed colors six times. Get myself completely squared away and recruit my hubby to help.

I had one corner of my mold where I wasn't confident that it was tight, so I took two colors, handed the third to my husband and walked him through what the goal of the soap was. All clear? As glass he told me. Apparently his glass is heavily tinted because I said "pour on 3" he said ok, I counted to 3 and started to pour. About halfway through I realized 1) one of my sections (with the corner I was worried about) was not getting fuller 2) my husband was not pouring his soap and 3) the section I was worried about was filling with the soap from the other section. Sigh. He's lucky he makes soap molds and cutters or he would be sleeping in the shop tonight.

On the plus side, my recipe worked beautifully for fluidity, so I'm happy to have a go to now for future challenges that need it. My preferred recipe accelerate quite a bit, so this is a nice change of pace.

I also found a bit of a hack for pouring small quantities of soap and not using the funnel pitchers. I had a few empty lye bottles (2lb ED) that hadn't gone to the garbage, co I carefully rinsed and washed them, removed the top and used as a small pouring pitcher. The sides flex enough that you can create a pointed pour spout.

Also for your entertainment, here's my not so straight dividers.

 

[dibbles]

@amd But did you get soap? I like the colors - I hope you have a happy surprise when you cut. As for your hubby - he makes soap molds and cutters so I don't think we'll be seeing him listed on the husband for sale thread.

 

[Arimara]

The Dollar Tree Has them if you have one near you. $1. You can’t beat that price!

Generally, Dollar Tree offerings tend to vary place to place but I'll see if I can get some if available. I'm not hopeful since I never know when my walking can take a dip and the only good ones I know means almost an hour long bus ride.

 

[AliOop]

@amd great idea on the reuse of the ED bottles. I just sent two of those to recycle after making a new lye MB, but I'll be saving the next ones, for sure. I mean, I have funnel pitchers, but a soaper can NEVER have enough containers.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

@amd I’m sure he was just lost in admiring the beauty and complexity of soap making.

 

[The_Phoenix]

I was so ready to be done with the last attempt that I didn’t scrape my dividers. Just now realized that they’ve been sitting on my soaping station for two days.

 

[linne1gi]

I think that i am going to go with my first attempt (glad I didn't post it). Just swirled my second one...wanted to do thinner lines, but I don't think it was what i was going for lol. We shall see with the cut.

It was mounds of TD LOL. A **** ton of TD.

I don't know if it would work for you, but I've been premixing my TD (for at least 5 years) with distilled water in a ketchup style bottle with glass marbles (to really help shake it up). I haven't ever had little specks of TD since using this method. I use a 1:3 ratio of TD to water, and when I use the bottle up, I clean it out, disinfect with a bleach solution and start all over.

 

[Jersey Girl]

I don't know if it would work for you, but I've been premixing my TD (for at least 5 years) with distilled water in a ketchup style bottle with glass marbles (to really help shake it up). I haven't ever had little specks of TD since using this method. I use a 1:3 ratio of TD to water, and when I use the bottle up, I clean it out, disinfect with a bleach solution and start all over.

I do the same and I never have an issue either. I will also add a tip...I place my ketchup bottle in hot water in a glass canning jar and it helps loosen it up and mix easier when shaken.

 

[AliOop]

@amd I’m sure he was just lost in admiring the beauty and complexity of soap making.

... and the soap MAKER, of course!

 

[linne1gi]

I do the same and I never have an issue either. I will also add a tip...I place my ketchup bottle in hot water in a glass canning jar and it helps loosen it up and mix easier when shaken.

I do that also!

 

[AliOop]

Thanks @Jersey Girl and @linne1gi! I use the shaker bottle and don't get too many spots, but I never knew about the hot water trick. Bless you both for sharing that!

 

[DKing]

I finally got around to making attempt number 1 today. Quite sure that I will be trying again as I am not feeling confident that I will be happy with the outcome of this one. Not really sure I am fully liking the colours I decided on, and then I chose a recipe I knew would give me lots of time to work...only it gave me too much time and I got impatient waiting for the right consistency and it was still a little too fluid for the swirl. I might be surprised inside when I cut it though. I gained some experience though for what I will do differently next time so not a complete loss. (and the house smells amazing!)

 

[amd]

But did you get soap? I like the colors - I hope you have a happy surprise when you cut. As for your hubby - he makes soap molds and cutters so I don't think we'll be seeing him listed on the husband for sale thread.

It is indeed soap - and looking at the top it would have been a good entry. I'll find out how it cuts tonight - maybe tomorrow, I'm not sure how much time this recipe will need to set. I checked it this morning and it was still softer than I like for cutting. I may unmold tonight but wait to cut another day. And no... he won't be up for auction any time soon. I waited 19 years for him to ask me out, I figure I should at least keep him for that long too.

great idea on the reuse of the ED bottles.

I'm thinking that's what I Dream in Soap uses too. I've been trying to figure out what her small flexible containers were and last night as I was reaching in the faaaaar back of the cabinet for my funnel pitchers, I saw my recycling bin out of the corner of my eye and it clicked.

 

[Jersey Girl]

I do that also!

Great minds...lol. I also do it with my FO. I use a lot of hard oils so I figure it’s better to have it warmed a bit as to not cool down the oils too fast and possibly get a false trace. I also always have a container of hot water near when I’m soaping and I pop my stick blender in there for a few seconds to warm it up as well. Then I use it when I’m done to clean the stick blender with a few blitzes. It helps with cleanup.

 

[Jersey Girl]

It is indeed soap - and looking at the top it would have been a good entry. I'll find out how it cuts tonight - maybe tomorrow, I'm not sure how much time this recipe will need to set. I checked it this morning and it was still softer than I like for cutting. I may unmold tonight but wait to cut another day. And no... he won't be up for auction any time soon. I waited 19 years for him to ask me out, I figure I should at least keep him for that long too.


I'm thinking that's what I Dream in Soap uses too. I've been trying to figure out what her small flexible containers were and last night as I was reaching in the faaaaar back of the cabinet for my funnel pitchers, I saw my recycling bin out of the corner of my eye and it clicked.

OXO makes silicon measuring cups that I’ve considered trying. Besides being Sort of expensive I was concerned about their stability and the chance of getting knocked over pretty easily. They would be awesome though and I still May spring for a couple of them to try them out. They are perfect for squeezing into the shape you need for pouring. I’ll look for a link and add it here.

https://www.oxo.com/1-cup-squeeze-p...MIxuHZov7x7gIVKk1yCh3MuAAOEAQYBSABEgKLefD_BwE
They make different sizes too.
https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/st...VKk1yCh3MuAAOEAAYAiAAEgIgY_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[linne1gi]

OXO makes silicon measuring cups that I’ve considered trying. Besides being Sort of expensive I was concerned about their stability and the chance of getting knocked over pretty easily. They would be awesome though and I still May spring for a couple of them to try them out. They are perfect for squeezing into the shape you need for pouring. I’ll look for a link and add it here.

https://www.oxo.com/1-cup-squeeze-p...MIxuHZov7x7gIVKk1yCh3MuAAOEAQYBSABEgKLefD_BwE
They make different sizes too.
https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/st...VKk1yCh3MuAAOEAAYAiAAEgIgY_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have one of the OXO silicone cups, I’m not sure if I like it or not. It’s a little flimsy

 

[violets2217]

I also found a bit of a hack for pouring small quantities of soap and not using the funnel pitchers. I had a few empty lye bottles (2lb ED) that hadn't gone to the garbage, co I carefully rinsed and washed them, removed the top and used as a small pouring pitcher.

This is an awesome idea! I have 6 funnel pitchers that I don't really like to use because I haven't figured out how to use them properly! I think I pour too fast or my soap is too thick and it just goes everywhere but down the spout. I'm gonna try this on my next attempt!

 

[linne1gi]

This is an awesome idea! I have 6 funnel pitchers that I don't really like to use because I haven't figured out how to use them properly! I think I pour too fast or my soap is too thick and it just goes everywhere but down the spout. I'm gonna try this on my next attempt!

I’ve been washing out my lye containers and reusing them for a long time now. They are great small pouring containers, because they are easily bendable.

 

[Jersey Girl]

I have one of the OXO silicone cups, I’m not sure if I like it or not. It’s a little flimsy

That was my thought about it when I first saw them. You have to be very careful when handling them I imagine. Someone else must make something similar that is sturdier. I may just have to do some research!