Recent content by CathyB

Deann, thank you for your sad, but important information. I do CPOP without a "safety net" under the mold and that will change immediately.

Atiz and Obsidian, where did you purchase your pumice? I am looking for something that will really scrub grease off as well.

For those of you who add pumice to your bars, what size of particles do you use? I did see that Wholesale supply particle size is #0-1/2--I think that means very fine particles suitable for gentle exfoliation.

My recipe is 55 lard, 20 coconut, 10 olive, and 5 each caster and canola. Or 35 lard, 20 tallow, then the same liquid oils.

I've used Bag Balm an Corona Ointment for years and years. In fact, I was wondering about the ingredients just this morning! I just knew the wise and brilliant minds on this forum could help and I greatly appreciate it.

I found this lovely recipe while looking for something soap-related. It has complete instructions. "A skin moisturizing, nutritive, and healing cream is produced by blending a predominant quantity of juices from an avocado, cucumber, lady's mantle or burdock, red clover, and white willow and...

Since starting this journey, I seem to be all about reading ingredients on soap! I found Vaseline Soap, and checked out the ingredients. I didn't find any "Vaseline"--which is a petroleum product (Petroleum jelly, petrolatum, white petrolatum, soft paraffin, or multi-hydrocarbon, CAS number...

I do the same--pull off some of the water before adding the lye, and while the lye is cooling, heat the water with my CA and sugar, then dump it into the oil, all ready for the lye solution. I like to mess with the lye as little as possible. I guess my chemistry teachers scared/scarred me!

Absolutely.

Since you said that, I had to know more! I found a great article on the components in buttermilk, and I was surprised at the high fat content. It makes sense when you think about. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/buttermilk

You, my dear, are evil. ;)

A tip I just learned from Royalty Soap's soap making videos--use a spoon to scrape the rough edges. It worked really well, and since I have problem controlling the veg peeler, so I'm going to give it a try. And the price is right!

I don't want to hijack this thread, but does anyone else ever hesitate a bit before popping a freshly spritzed mold into a hot oven? I keep think "soap flambe" but do it anyway. I don't want to be the one to patent THAT technique!

Thanks for the question and the responses. I'm using a "vintage" Acculab VI lab scale, which I like, but max capacity is only 13 oz, so it just won't handle a full batch. Now, I know what to replace it with!

I just couldn't let it rest. I went to the University of Idaho for answers: My question to them: What makes kidney fat “superior?” Is it just the ease of processing, or is there an actual chemical or physical difference in the fat aside from the various connective tissues binding the fat...