Too Much Lye - Rebatching Question

[cash1967]

I have made about 100 bars of soap with these instructions;
http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/SpecialtySoapRecipes/ss/Hot-Process-Crock-Pot-Soap-Recipe.htm

I just did a batch but screwed up on my lye measurement, I think that was what it was at least. My scale turned off and I missed the weight so had to guess a bit. I don't think I am way off but it feels pretty heavy on the -OH.

So I guess I am looking at rebatching but not sure how much oil to use or which kind? It was super flakey at the time I was getting it into the molds then it leaked what appears to be oil. It is crumbly and potent to the touch (like too much lye).

So I am not sure what to do but rebatching sounds like the best option, I just don't know how much or what kind of oil to put back in? Or do I use water? or both?

Thanks!

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

What was your recipe? Then we can suggest oils to add. It'll have to be 'add a little, test, add more' sort of thing as you don't know how much lye was used.

On that note - NEVER guess how much lye. Ever. That is really not a good idea

 

[Susie]

Here's the recipe from the website:

CO 14.6 oz
OO 13.7 oz
Lard 11.7 oz
Almond Oil 3.9 oz
Castor Oil 2.4 oz
Cocoa Butter 2.4 oz

Superfat 6%
NaOH 6.8 oz
H2O 17 oz

I ran that through SoapCalc, and although not perfectly 6% SF, it is close enough. I was going to post some sort of sage advice:roll:, but I got stymied by the fact that the OP has no idea how much NaOH went into it.

I think my best advice is put on some gloves, grate it into a crockpot and add a bit of water to start it melting, then add 5 g oil every half hour until it no longer zaps.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

And make sure it's lard that you add!

I don't like that recipe, if I'm honest, as it is too much CO for my tastes. But adding the lard would be my choice to save this. How to add at a time depends really on a feel for how much extra lye was added, but as we have no clue, small amounts would be best.

 

[cash1967]

I think I am about a gram over on my NaOH. I ran out of it and when I got more I forgot how much I had added so guessed it was 4.5 and so added 2.2 to get to the amount but it's over for sure. I crumbled it last night by hand, no gloves, and could tell it was strong. I am used to using KOH because I am a traditional tanner and use it in that process so I know when -OH things are strong or not, just not sure how strong.

So I should use lard eh? I will then. I will also go with the 5gm per hour of the lard. Hope I didn't just waste some spendy scent!

All in all I have had good success with this recipe
.

 

[Susie]

"I think I am about a gram over on my NaOH. I ran out of it and when I got more I forgot how much I had added so guessed it was 4.5 and so added 2.2 to get to the amount but it's over for sure."

Ok, there are issues here. First, one gram of NaOH is not going to make that big of a difference. Did you mean ounce?

Second is this: What are you weighing the NaOH into that you could not re-weigh the container? You need to weigh out each ingredient into a separate container so that you know you have enough of everything before you mix the first two ingredients. It saves many a rebatch or toss, and is ultimately worth washing more dishes.