All you Aussie Soapers :)

[Vonna]

What does everyone think about using Copha for coconut oil? I know they've started adding a soy compound to it...does that matter? It's only going to be for me here at home...Good enough do you think?

 

[Gobbler's Run]

I use it and it doesn't effect the out come of the soap that I can see. I declare it in the ingredients list just so that people are aware though. I will be contacting the manufacture and getting an estimate on the amount that they are adding.

 

[topcat]

Starduster uses it too and I have used soaps she has included it in - it soaps fine. I have thought of trying it too if I run out of CO anytime. It's funny because I had a block of it sitting in my fridge for about 6 years waiting for me to make choc crackles with it....then I threw it away about 1 month before I started soaping! :wink:

Tanya

 

[Vonna]

That's usually how it happens Tanya Thanks for all your replies too!! This might sound like a really dumb question but keep in mind...I'm new to CP When I use a lye calc. it asks if it's 76 degree or 92 degree (coconut oil)...what does that mean and what is Copha classed at???? So confused at all these calculations!! Thanks heaps!!

 

[Galavanting Gifts]

yep I did topcats trick and chucked it out after letting it sit for about 5 years in my fridge in fact it got thrown out less than 7 weeks ago lol. I heard it couldn't be used for soaping so now hearing that ya can i'm kicking myself. :roll:

 

[topcat]

Hopefully Mary/starduster will chime in here but my understanding that the CO we use and probably the copha too is 76 degree - means it begins to melt at that temp. I haven't seen the 92 degree. Normal, everyday CO is 76 degree, whether is is cold pressed or RBD (refined, bleached, deodorised). Fractionated is different of course and that is in soapcalc separately.

Tanya

 

[Vonna]

Ohhh, okay....I'm so glad I found this forum!! I'm learning so much from all of you and I've only been a member on here for about 2 weeks!! Thanks!!

 

[Vonna]

okay, another question for you Aussies...where can I find coffee butter??? See, I'm originally from the US but I've been living here now for 5 years. I am still trying to find things here that we have in the US and I usually find them...just under a different title Any suggestions on the coffee butter would be great though!!

 

[Galavanting Gifts]

coffee butter? i've never heard of it, have you tried the USA Foods shop? I usually find what i'm after there, you americans have some of the most awesome stuff over there in the States

 

[Galavanting Gifts]

ok I just had a look but they don't have it, I guess you could always see if they could order it in for you.

 

[Vonna]

yeah, I'll have to specially order it somewhere because I've heard it gives the best coffee scent without FO or anything! I love my american food so once I start ordering...there will be no stopping me Cheers!

 

[Vonna]

heres some info on coffee butter..hope this works

http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/soap/ ... =butcoffee

 

[Galavanting Gifts]

That looks nice, I took a look at some of the recipes it can be used in too. I'm wondering if you could maybe contack a cake/biscuit shop or a bakery or chef to see if they use it, if so who their supplier is.
I remember getting frustrated cause I couldn't find Karo syrup or Pepto for my goats i case they got sick, I searched high and low, I did eventually find some a few months later oh and I found corn oil which was an added bonus.

 

[Vonna]

one of the best places I found American food is http://www.usafoods.com.au/
They are fantastic and they have ALL my favorites!!! It makes me feel like I'm right back at home again I should have a look there for the coffee butter just in case but I don't think it would be there. They just sell all the most famous and popular foods of America. But I bet you could find Karo syrup and Pepto there

 

[ChrissyB]

I've used copha for soaping with no trouble at all.
The only advice I have to offer with it is that even if you put it in the soapcalc as coconut 75, I think the hardness numbers that come up are a little on the lower side, I think copha makes much harder soap than coconut 75. So I guess all that means is you may have to cut it sooner because it will get pretty hard pretty quick depending on how much you use and what other oils you soap it with.

 

[topcat]

I've used copha for soaping with no trouble at all.
The only advice I have to offer with it is that even if you put it in the soapcalc as coconut 75, I think the hardness numbers that come up are a little on the lower side, I think copha makes much harder soap than coconut 75. So I guess all that means is you may have to cut it sooner because it will get pretty hard pretty quick depending on how much you use and what other oils you soap it with.

That's really good to know Crissy! I may just have to make a copha soap now....the soy lecithin they put in it may even contribute something nice to the overall feel of the cured soap - apparently in water, soy lecithin results in a type of surfactant. Now surfactants are lathering agents (they lower the surface tension of water) so it may increase a soap's lather....?? :? Anyone know for sure?

Tanya

 

[starduster]

Hmmmm

Thanks TC
Ah duh?
I just use it.
Don't know the technicalities.About to learn it seems.
I use it when desperate.
I haven't found any resitance from customers.
I have about 22 litres of Coconut oil at the moment so wont need it for a while

 

[topcat]

I've used copha for soaping with no trouble at all.
The only advice I have to offer with it is that even if you put it in the soapcalc as coconut 75, I think the hardness numbers that come up are a little on the lower side, I think copha makes much harder soap than coconut 75. So I guess all that means is you may have to cut it sooner because it will get pretty hard pretty quick depending on how much you use and what other oils you soap it with.

Chrissy, maybe there is some fractionated CO in it then? That comes up much harder on the soapcalc scale. Hmmm.....perhaps use the Fr.CO properties tab if using copha and see how close it matches up in the cured bar?

Tanya

 

[kaseencook]

Vonna, I read that you were origionally from the US and moved to AUS! I am like you, I moved to AUS from US three years ago. I miss foods and food variety too! Thanks for the link to the USAFoods! Maybe one day when we have some free cash I can order some Hershey's or Jello!
It's just nice to hear about someone else with a similar experience, and a soaper at that I just got my permanent residency last week. sorry to be off topic :wink:

 

[Vonna]

Hey kaseencook!
Thats great!!! I've been here about 5 years now and had my permanent residency for about a year and a half now. I'm going for my citizenship this year. Where did you live in the States? And what brought you to Australia?? Sorry for the 20 questions but this is exciting. I never get to chat to someone over here thats from the States