When do you add the salt in salt bars??

[emilaid]

I tried making a batch last night - it was 32oz altogether so I measured out 16oz of salt. I tried to add it at light trace, but I only got a very small amount of salt in before it wouldn't dissolve any more. It was all lying at the bottom of the pot so I didn't add any more in case I ruined it.

Is that what's supposed to happen or should I have just added to rest of the salt?

Thanks

 

[tespring]

I added mine at very light trace and I think I only got as much as you did into the bar. Mine looks great so far, it has only been about a week though.

 

[funnyfarm319]

The salt is added at medium to heavy trace, if you add it at light it will fall to the bottom, as you discovered. I usually have to fold it in, like when making a cake. It is not supposed to dissolve, so just dump it all in and fold..

 

[emilaid]

The salt is added at medium to heavy trace, if you add it at light it will fall to the bottom, as you discovered. I usually have to fold it in, like when making a cake. It is not supposed to dissolve, so just dump it all in and fold..

Thanks - I can't wait to try again!! Will the finished bars look any different from normal CP??

I added mine at very light trace and I think I only got as much as you did into the bar. Mine looks great so far, it has only been about a week though.

So far mine look ok too, but I'm not sure I can class it as a salt bar

 

[Jezzy]

I add mine at a med-heavy trace too and have never had any problems

 

[bodybym]

I add mine at a light trace and have never had an issue with it sinking - I usually add salt equivalent to 80% of my oils.

 

[xyxoxy]

Salt bars are a different animal but well worth the effort.

I do 75% of oil weight and add at medium trace. I make sure it is well blended but I move fast and try to keep it moving and pour quickly. It does not dissolve like other ingredients and will have a different texture than you're used to.

I wait no longer than 4 hours before cutting... it is still hot at this point but if you wait much longer it will be like cutting chalk. It only has to be firm enough to stay together.

 

[BakingNana]

Ditto xyxoxy...I do exactly the same thing.

 

[mariflo]

Emilaid,
I always start adding my salt at thin trace (that doesn't mean you should do that too, I am just sharing my experience). As you know, salt bars harden very quickly. If the salt sinks to the bottom, give the batter a couple of minutes to start thikening up and then give it another stir, you'll see that the salt gets mixed back into a more homogenous and thick soap mixture. I sometimes like to add the salt little by little to thin trace just to have time to fiddle with it You'll see that in a few minutes (seconds rather) it changes consistency and gets thicker and therefore the salt grains will stay suspended in the soap mixture and not fall to the bottom. I add 80% salt to my recipe and it feels great. And yes, salt does not dissolve in the soap, it's supposed to stay rough and grany