Recent content by Wilster98

I've recently heard the term gel stage, so I've been trying to read up on the subject. I discovered that a soap a I made a few months ago had gone into gel stage. It scared the heck out of me. my soap turned translucent then got really hot. I just made another batch of soap and it did it again...

My recipe is: Crisco 312 grams Coconut Oil, 76 deg 156 grams Olive oil 52 grams Bay Rum Fragrance oil (Brambleberry) 32 ml Water 198 grams...

I have made numerous batches of soap, with no problems.....Until today. I made 1 pound of cold process soap, the same proportions that I always use. The only thing that I did differently was batch my lye water ahead of time then bring it back up to temperature in a hot water bath, and used...

I thought it was necessary to have the temperature of the lye solution within a few degrees of the oil. Was I misinformed? If that is not the case, it would make things a lot easier.

I read some where that you can make lye solution up ahead of time and warm it up when ready to make soap. To me that sounds easier than trying to cool the lye solution and oils at the same time. My question is, is there a limit as to how far in advance you can make up the lye solution? Once the...

I didn't measure, I just went by smell. Looking at if as PPO, I see I did not use nearly enough. Thanks Willy

Is there a guideline for the amount of essential oil to add for scent? I made a pound of soap, added peppermint oil after trace until I could smell the mint. After curing, very little peppermint scent. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Willy

I've read in a few web sites about using the blender to speed up the process. You raise valid points. I will be buying a stick mixer for my next batch Thanks Willy

Zapping? I'm a newbie, What is zapping?

Hi, my name is Willy. After reading everything I can get my hands on, I made my first batch of cold process soap. I have been using hand crafted soap for a short while. I like it better than store bought "soap". I like the idea of removing as many adverse chemicals as I can from my life. Being...

I made my first batch of CP soap today. All went well, but the high temperature of the lye solution confused me a little. I have read recipes and instructions about the lye/water solution reaching temperatures of up 200° F. Mine peaked at 150° F. I was under the impression that even in a cold...