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Genny
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Overheating. What kind of lavender did you use? Some fo's/eo's can cause overheating.
hmmm
Our oil was at about 140. When the soap started to trace we added powdered oats and the brand NOW 100% pure lavender extract. Is the soap still safe to use? Is it just not going to look that pretty?
Our oil was at about 140. When the soap started to trace we added powdered oats and the brand NOW 100% pure lavender extract. Is the soap still safe to use? Is it just not going to look that pretty?
Genny
Well-Known Member
How hot was lye when you added it to the oil?
Do you mean 100% lavender essential oil? How much did you use & how big of a batch of soaping oils did you have.
It's most likely going to be fine, it'll just be ugly. I usually put my soaps that tend to overheat in the freezer. But if it's cold outside, you can put it outside in a safe place to keep it from overheating more.
Do you mean 100% lavender essential oil? How much did you use & how big of a batch of soaping oils did you have.
It's most likely going to be fine, it'll just be ugly. I usually put my soaps that tend to overheat in the freezer. But if it's cold outside, you can put it outside in a safe place to keep it from overheating more.
kdaniels8811
Well-Known Member
I soap about 100 degrees, 140 sounds very high.
Uh oh....we didn't check the temperature of the lye/water mixture before adding it to the oils. The distilled water was room temperature when we added the lye. What should the temperature be (lye/water) when adding it to the oil. Next time we will try to keep the heat of the oil closer to 120. Great news to hear that it is still usable!
Genny
Well-Known Member
Your oil should never be much hotter than your lye solution, otherwise that can create a volcano effect.
melstan775
Well-Known Member
Just out of curiosity, have you actually made soap before? The advice on this forum consistently tells newbies to do it by the book and/or not use any additives. Soap making is a chemical process, if you're not a chemist you really need to take your time. Which is what I plan to do now that I got my lye in. 
First time. I did use an exact recipe out of a book. Just didn't get the temperature right.
Just out of curiosity, have you actually made soap before? The advice on this forum consistently tells newbies to do it by the book and/or not use any additives. Soap making is a chemical process, if you're not a chemist you really need to take your time. Which is what I plan to do now that I got my lye in.
In the book we are using "soap makers workshop" it says 120-140. Definitely going to pay closer attention to temperatures next time.
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Most books and articles that I have read with recipes for soap usually say mix your lye/water solution into your oils when both temps are between 95 to 110 degrees F. And the the oils and lye/water mixture should be within 5 degrees of each other. I have never seen 120 to 140 degrees for a mixing temp.
marghewitt
Well-Known Member
I'm surprised a book would tell you to go that high. I never soap over 115. You want your lye water to be within 10 degrees of your oil temp or as close to the same temp as possible. Keep them both under 120 next time.
lizflowers42
Well-Known Member
You always learn from each batch. Save a bar of this to remind yourself of how far you've come! My biggest mistake has been making large batches...all this soap...and its really boring looking in comparison with ummmmm everyone else on this forum...but again...you learn!
dyclement05
Well-Known Member
One thing I've learned, there is no such thing as a boring soap. Not even boring looking ones. Since I became interested in making soap, and then actually started making it, I LOVE looking at soap. Even plain ol' white soap is awesome!
ALWAYS run ANY recipe from any book or website or any other source through a lye calculator.
Yes, you should try to start simply, and figure out the process WAY before you try using any additives.
If the book you used said 140 is fine for your oils and never mentioned lye temp, you may want to find another book and do a lot more research.
Did you mean that you used Lavender Essential Oil, or did you use Lavender Extract? There is a big difference.
Yes, you should try to start simply, and figure out the process WAY before you try using any additives.
If the book you used said 140 is fine for your oils and never mentioned lye temp, you may want to find another book and do a lot more research.
Did you mean that you used Lavender Essential Oil, or did you use Lavender Extract? There is a big difference.
Some people like to jump in with both feet and there's nothing wrong with that as long as you respect the lye. Lavender essential oil rarely causes problems unless you use too much, then it stinks ...ummm...smells very strong (and might irritate the skin). Checking temps of both lye and oils is a good idea when you're starting out. Eventually you'll be able to tell if the temp is right just by feeling the sides of the containers. A volcano is a bit if a bummer but just part of the learning process. If you catch a volcano early enough you can put the batch in the freezer or fridge to try and stop it from causing too much damage. Hang in there and you'll be a pro in no time.
lizflowers42
Well-Known Member
I know...but I want to make soap porn now and my stuff is barely high school play worthy
But you are right...I made it and feel proud!
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sweetcindylou
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I'm a newbie too and didn't have this issue. I have made two bathes of soap so far but was extremely careful. I first found the recipe, ran it though soapcal to make sure it was okay and then made sure my oils and lye solution were the same temperature. It was 100 degrees but from what I have read online they can be a bit lower. I did lots of research on-line, several weeks worth. I read and re-read instructions and double checked everything while making the soap.
I did hot process soap the first time and I really like that method. I think there is less room for error with the hot process method and you don't have to wait as long to use the soap. I'm not sure and don't quote me on this as I have no clue but maybe another soaper can answer my questions but you could re-batch this and possibly re-bath it in the crock put using the hot process method. So simple.
I did hot process soap the first time and I really like that method. I think there is less room for error with the hot process method and you don't have to wait as long to use the soap. I'm not sure and don't quote me on this as I have no clue but maybe another soaper can answer my questions but you could re-batch this and possibly re-bath it in the crock put using the hot process method. So simple.
