why avoid gel?

[catikit]

Hi there, sorry i'm sure thbis query has been aswered again and again and again but i'm struggling to find the relevant post here.
In short - why would i want to avoid gelling my soaps - and also whats the best way to speed up saponification if not gelling....?
Thanks

 

[Fragola]

A reason can be avoiding partial gel. Plus the texture, which some people prefer.

White ungelled soaps look pristine, like snow, while gelled soaps are less white. Ungelled seems to me that it gives more pastel colors.

How much speeding up ? You probably can find a sweet spot, by balancing the recipe, the mold size and the temperature so that saponification is complete in 2-3 days.

Individual molds work best for me. But ash does become a problem ...

 

[judymoody]

In most cases, I prefer to gel. I like the darker more translucent look of the bar, I find molding quicker and easier, and I feel confident that saponification is well underway. I find that my gelled soaps are less prone to ash. Also if I'm using an FO that is a known accelerator, or milk or any additive that contains high sugars, I'll gel because it will probably happen whether I like it or not.

However I don't gel if I'm attempting mounded textured tops (they will flatten somewhat during gel) or if I'm using a fragrance with a low flash point or a tendency to morph or burn off. For example, when using citrus EOs, I suppress gel so more of the scent remains intact for a longer period. A few months ago, I made an ungelled soap which was mostly 5x Lemon EO anchored with a bit of litsea, patchouli and a few other things. I did get some ash but the scent is still strong and true.

Either method will yield good soap in the end.

 

[Bubbly Buddha]

I also prefer to gel and I have some beautiful white soaps that were gelled, so I can't see where it makes a difference in that respect. I had a batch of one of my favourite scents and it did not gel and I found that I don't like how it turned out at all. The colour is not what I was looking for and the texture was different. Maybe it comes down to personal preference? I also seem to think that where you are in the world (climate-wise) has an effect on how the soap turns out.

 

[catikit]

So if i dont insulate my soaps and just leave them in mold at room temperature (or colder-as in my unheated workshop) when can/should i unmold them?

 

[judymoody]

Depends on the recipe, whether you used a water discount, etc.

Gelled soap I can unmold as early as 12 hours after gel.

Ungelled, I wait 2-3 days. Unmolding is also a bit neater if you chill the soap first. If you press the soap gently with your finger and it seems firm like a block of cheese, you're probably good to go. I also cure them a week longer before using them as suppressing gel slows the pace of saponification.

 

[soapbuddy]

I prefer not to gel. My soaps come out lighter, with a smoother texture and less of the top notes in a fragrance dissipate.

 

[Maythorn]

I also like not gelling. Except for having to keep an eye on the mold for partial gell it eliminates having to heat it and make sure it gelled. I think it might be easier on some scents, too.

 

[Stinkydancer]

I prefer to gel...I like the texture better- it seems smoother to me when I gel.

Ungelled soaps at least my recipe- don't feel as smooth to me and I never really noticed much of a scent difference. I use the same amount of FO for both types. I don't gel milk soaps but I should honestly- I still have ungelled GM soap in a mold from last Wednesday- it should be hard enough by tomorrow to take out of the slab. If it was gelled- it would have been unmolded days ago.

 

[IrishLass]

In the end, after a good cure, both make for great soap (I've done both), but I like gelled better, even with my milk soaps (they come out a light off-white even when gelled). Gelled soaps feel smoother to me- like glass- which I really like, and being able to unmold and cut in a shorter amount of time (and bevel and stamp) frees up my molds for the next batches. It's also fun playing around with micas and the transluscent quality of gel to get some really cool, jewel-looking effects in some of my soaps. If I want a more opaque look in my gelled soap, I just add a little TD to the batch and it comes out opaque. Charcoal does the same thing, too.

IrishLass