Was my trace ok and can I reuse the cooking utensils?

[Ives]

I thought the trace would take 10 min but after 4 minutes, when I drizzled some mixture on the top, it pretty much stayed there and wasn't sinking in, so I quickly poured it into the moulds. Do you think it went past trace? What does that mean for my soap? Will it not turn out right? It was like custard, or thick liquid soap maybel

Also, I mixed the water/lye solution in our good stainless steel saucepan. Am I not supposed to use that for cooking now? Also a metal spoon might have touched it, and then the plastic spatula for scraping the soap mixture into the moulds.

 

[Happy Lass]

4 minutes is not abnormal for soaping, depending on your oils.

There is no 'past trace'. It will get thicker and thicker, til it's like mashed potatoes (ask me how I know) and it will still make fine soap. But it sounds like you poured at just the right time.

You can wash the pot and the spoon, but I'd dedicate the spatula to soaping.

Are you addicted yet?

 

[Ives]

Phew, thanks! I'll wait to see if I'm addicted if this comes out right!

 

[Hazel]

It sounds fine. Most of my recipes trace very quickly and have pudding type texture before I get them in the mold. This is why I have such a hard time achieving swirls.

I agree with Happy Lass. Just wash your pan really well (twice to make sure) but don't use the plastic spatula for food. Only use it for soap making. Is the metal spoon stainless steel? Then it would be okay, too.

I bought red electrical tape and wrapped a strip around all the handles of the spoons and spatulas I use for soap making. I keep them in a plastic box separate from food utensils.

Please post pics when you've unmolded your soap. I'd like to see it.