Wood mold in freezer? Please help with details

[Hermanam]

I have always gelled my soaps, but recently I have had it with overheating and steric lines/crackle issues. I love the look of non gelled soaps, so I would like to try this approach.

My favorite molds that fit my soap boxes perfectly are wooden. Will this cause a partial gel issue in the freezer? Do I need to use a silicone mold only? If anyone knows of a 3 or 3.25 in wide silicone mold, please let me know. The 3.5 in wide ones are too wide for my packaging (which I love and don't want to change).

So...I know to cool my mold in the freezer first before pouring , soap at room temp, and quickly put back into freezer. How long I freezer until moving to fridge? How long in fridge?

In everyone's experience, will the wood mold cause a partial gel issue in the freezer? As always, thanks for the help!

 

[boyago]

I don't use this method but since no one else is chiming in I think most people leave it in the freezer for 24 hours. Then move it into the fridge for another two days.

 

[Obsidian]

I've had partial gel in the freezer using a wooden mold. It does really help if you freeze the mold first and soap cool. I have a plastic mold that works much better for freezing loafs, I don't use the wooden one anymore unless I CPOP.
I generally leave the soap in the freezer for at least 12 hours then in the fridge for 12 before bring it back to room temp.

 

[seven]

i found this on the archive...

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/archive/index.php/t-36888.html

 

[Hermanam]

Thanks for the info. I guess I will give it a shot and see what happens. I'll definitely freeze the mold first and soap cool. I wish I could find a silicone mold that is no more than 3.25 inches wide. If anyone knows of any, please pass along the info. Thanks!

 

[Hermanam]

I found these silicone molds with wire basket to hold their shape...I was excited to see they are 3.25 inches wide, which is what I have been searching for

Anyone have experience with these molds and baskets?

http://www.essentialdepot.com/servlet/the-668/Silicone-Soap-Mold--dsh-/Detail

 

[Relle]

I use a wooden mould and don't gel. I've never put the mould in the freezer to cool or the soap in the freezer at all. All I do is make the soap at RT, after the soap is in the mould, then put in the frig overnight, remove in the morning and unmould and let sit at RT to harden 24 - 48 hrs depending on the recipe and cut. The only time I get over heating (which is rare) is when an FO that I don't usually use heats it up.

 

[ca_soap]

If you are afraid the wood will retain heat take one of the wood molds and drill holes in it. When you line the mold the holes will not be an issue and the holes should prevent the mold from retaining heat.

 

[Ruthie]

I generally do not gel my soaps, and do not use the freezer. I soap as cool as possible and leave my soap in the mold in the refrigerator for at least 48 hours. Have not had partial gel since I started leaving it for that long.

 

[kazmi]

I do either or both the freezer and/or the fridge. If its gonna heat up I go with the freezer for a minimum of 24 hrs. If not, I just use the fridge for 24 hours. I always use silicone with a wooden mold (no top - just saranwrap) and haven't had any overheating issues using the both together in either the freezer or fridge. Soap as cool as possible too.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

I think Kazmi gave some of the best advice - it's important to think about what your recipe is. If you're making a honey, beer and sugar soap then you'll going to have a huge amount of heat going on! What would work for a cooler soap might not work for something that generates more heat.

I do like the idea of drilling holes in the mold. I posted something similar and had a mixed reaction, but I do think there is some science in the idea.

I tried to prevent gel on my Pine Tar soap. Put the wooden mold in the freezer for a good long time before soaping. Let the oils and lye cool down a lot. Took the mold out, poured and put the mold in the freezer again. 24 hours later put it in a cool place, but got some condensation on it which dried off no issues, other than a bit of ash.

For my tastes, the effort involved in it was not worth it. I'm not sure if I'll ever really want to keep gel away so much that I go through it again to be honest.