WSP mold, CPOP, EO and funny texture on the sides...

[OnePlus]

I recently did a CPOP recipe with 0.5oz EO ppo. After 30 mins in the oven I noticed some of the EO was pooling and the reabsorbed as is the norm. However, after 24 hrs I went to pop them out of the green WSP loaf molds and noticed that the EO was still lining the exterior of my loaf and the sides mold did not want to let go.

When I pulled the sides back I noticed that the walls of my loaf were not smooth and a small amount of the soap came with the mold wall. My loaf is still in the mold and has a funny texture.

It's my first time using these molds. How do I get smooth sides and no EO residue along the sides? Oh, and a loaf of soap to actually come out of this mold. Thanks everyone.

 

[carebear]

It may be that either your soaps didn't gel (thus the soap is soft and the sides are sticky for longer), or it overheated so that some oils separated out and left you with weirdness.

I've not used their molds, in particular, though.

 

[agriffin]

Not sure about the EO - it could be that they are overheating. Do you turn the oven off when you put them in? I used to put mine in at 170 but my soap was over heating, so now I put mine in at 170 but turn the oven off and take out after it has gelled.

I had a heck of a time with the WSP molds and soap sticking. I noticed if I didn't gel, the soap was nearly impossible to get out. Even with gel, it was a strain. Now that each mold has had about 4-6 batches done in it the soaps pops right out.

Well, if you discount your water and gel that is. For may anywho.

 

[OnePlus]

It absolutely gelled. The very top looks a bit cooked. I did 30 mins and then turned to oven off and let it set. It was fully gelled after 30 mins. I will post pictures after I get the soap out. I may let one sit in the mold longer as I filled two molds. Its like the Eo is pushed to the edges and making pockets in the side surface. I am sure I could trim that and be fine, but I wonder why it is still sticky after 24 hrs.

 

[carebear]

if the tops look cooked then it overheated which is the cause of the oil separating out, etc.

 

[OnePlus]

I think I am paranoid of partial gel. I might have to find the sweet spot between partial gel and what might be the overheating that is causing oddly textured sides and a fine layer of EO lining the mold. 170degrees at 30mins is too much for CPOP?

Maybe if I let the mold sit longer before removing it will reabsorb? Any ideas?

 

[BakingNana]

I use the WSP molds a lot and love them. Have not had a problem with them either overheating or not reaching gel. I put just one strip of freezer paper down the length of the mold and running up the short sides. I don't put them in the oven to gel; I just insulate them with towels on the counter. I like a complete gel and I've haven't had any problems getting them to gel. I make sure the soap loaf is firm before I try to unmold them. How long that takes depends on the recipe I used, but normally it's less than 24 hours. I pull the sides away from the loaf, turn it over, press on the bottom, and they come right out smooth as glass. I peel off the freezer paper strip and cut the bars. I do find they absorb FO or EO scents, so I run them through the dishwasher to cut down on that a bit. I also like the way you can stack them vertically if you use more than one.

 

[carebear]

I think I am paranoid of partial gel. I might have to find the sweet spot between partial gel and what might be the overheating that is causing oddly textured sides and a fine layer of EO lining the mold.

it varies with oven, recipe, FO, you name it - you have to find your own sweet spot and it can vary. perhaps for that particular combination you only need to preheat the mold then leave the soap on the counter. or maybe nothing. you have to experiment

Maybe if I let the mold sit longer before removing it will reabsorb? Any ideas?

often it will reabsorb. if not, as long as it isn't zappy then you can blot the bars.

 

[jarvan]

I use CPOP quite often and have never had a bad batch by pre-heating the oven to 170, put soap mold in oven, leave it on at 170 for 1 hour and then turn off oven and let soap sleep overnight in there. I have had great success with that. I don't ever do milk soaps in the oven, though.

 

[OnePlus]

Does anyone else recommend using freezer paper with these? Also, is it true that otherwise, they get easier to remove soap from them with? Also freezer paper shiny side up? Thanks.

 

[BakingNana]

Yep, shiny side toward soap. Since I only use a strip, it's no trouble really to zip it off the roll with a rotary cutter and mat (I quilt) and plop it in there. Sure makes getting the soap out a breeze. Not the hassle of lining a wood mold, for example. I have used them without freezer paper, and the soap came out fine as long as I let it sit long enough to be firm on the bottom. Carebear's right about finding your sweet spot! Take good notes so you can remember what worked and what didn't. I frustrated myself quite a bit at first because my memory is lousy!! :?

 

[carebear]

I used freezer paper for years, until I got my Uplands. I think it's easy to use, but I hated running out!

Shiny side toward the soap.