soapopera said:
Very lovely textures. Lately I'm having a problem similar like yours and I was soaping cooler. I've checked my notes and batches which I'd soap warmer around 43C never have the stearic spots. Also about the ash, I notice I have less ash if I don't expose the soap so soon to air sometimes up to 2 or 3 days (give it time to saponify). I don't gel. I just cover the top with a cling wrap but it's not full proof. I think air is leaking into my mold. But I have gelled batches which have the least ash.
I agree with everything you are saying, at least it certainly seems that way.
I usually gel my soaps and unmold after 24hrs. I don't normally have too much problem with ashing.
I soaped this batch cool, I don't think it gelled and unmolded in about 24hrs, which is prob too early for an ungelled/partially gelled soap.
It ashed over in about an hour, I'm convinced I should have left the Saran on and left it in the mold longer and it would have been fine. I'm so impatient sometimes when it comes to soaping.
younglivingmargo said:
Hi Saltydog
How long should I let my soap sit for before I unwrap it. Do you wrap your soap in a towel to keep the heat in. ?
What do you mean by 'zapped', ive never heard this term before.
So much to learn any help is greatly appreciated.
thanks, Margo
Hi Margo,
Welcome to the forum! I'm a new soaper myself, and there are many much more experienced soapmakers on this forum, but in regards to your question, this is what I've learned:
I let my soap sit at least 24 hrs before unmolding. That usually does the trick for me, as I always gel, but people who don't gel sometimes need to leave their soap in the mold for 2 or 3 days, until it hardens. (Ungelled takes longer than a gelled soap)
As far as insulating goes, I like to Cold Process Oven Process (CPOP) most of my soap, unless it contains milk, beer and/or honey, which tends to heat it up.
Please forgive me for over-explanation if you are already aware, but this is when you pre-heat your oven on very low, I do 150, and then turn it off before you set your soap in to gel.
I like to ensure a full gel, and CPOP usually does the trick. It also depends on what kind of mold you are using- I have a wood mold that insulates very well, there's usually no need for me to wrap it in a towel, in the oven. If I don't CPOP, I usually drape a dish towel over the top. Also, I always cover the top with Saran when I can.
The 'Zap' test is a neutrality test. If you put your tongue on your finished soap, or rub it with your finger and touch it to your tongue, you may feel a sensation like a 9-volt battery zap. This means there is still active lye in your soap.
My gelled soaps never zap after 24 hrs, ungelled soaps can zap for several days before becoming completely saponified.
I hope that helps, don't hesitate to ask if you have questions, the people here are tremendously generous with their knowledge and time