Recent content by Soapy Bill

Cocoa butter is hard to beat, but I've recently become a big fan of Cupuacu Butter, Pretty similar - but oh so nice! The only reason is becuase I scoured EBAY and some guy has a drum of it and is selling it pretty cheap by the lb relatively speaking. I bought 10 lbs and while folks may not...

While we are discussing it, I'd love to know what you think about the Avaocado Butter. It was the number 1 variable in terms of several of the output factors (Soap Characteristics). I haven't used it a ton in recipes and was shocked at what it did for appeal and acceptance. I have tried it...

Of note, I keep saying that I do experiments and it seems to come up. It might be interesting to some what I'm talking about. I use Design of Experiments (DOE) to optimize recipes. I'm a geek that way, and it lets me adjust several variables at once instead of one variable at a time (The...

For most recipes, like this one, I typically start at a 32% water discount as a starting point. I did back off on the fluid amount in a few batches, but beyond the faster hardening time, it didn't make much difference on the overall firmness of the bars after the final cure period. I didn't...

Apologies! I reported that I average slightly greater than a "9" on this recipe. I went through my records - here is what I actually got; 3 weeks = Avg 9.9 pH, n= 12 4 weeks = Avg 9.7 pH n= 12 5 weeks Avg 9.5 pH n= 17 No discernable drop after 6+ weeks. Equipment: Oakton® Benchtop...

Ah the Steric and Latic. After many attempts without them, either combined or seperately, the bars were a little soft. That's fine, and some folks like them that way. However, I decided to use them for more firmness when the "Exfoliating" characteristic feedback needed improvement. I went...

I tried to publish a nice soap recipe. I thought that was what this forum was for - sharing ideas and experience. I just had two independent collegues read my post. Neither felt I was talking down or being rude in anyway. In fact, they can't understand your reaction at all. I'm personally...

Honestly, It wasn't my intention to speak down to anyone! Really! I used terminology common in the books and from the experts. I can't imagine any other way to put it. I really don't see where I went amiss besides a little confusion on the Double Strength. It's a nice recipe, and I really...

The best way to test for un-reacted lye if you don't want to do a pH test is an acid Titration. Not too hard, and if anybody wants to know how to do it - please PM me.

Guys, I used the term double strength becuase several authors have done so, as well as David Fisher. True, it's not actually double strength - sorry if that caused confusion. I was trying to get across the methodology of incorporating and accounting for the double strength goats milk is all...

Double strength Lye - Becuase you don't mix the lye with the Milk in this method, you essentially "discount" the water by half to compensate for the volume of GM that is used. Say, for example that a recipe calls for 16 ozs of water. Becuase the Evaporated GM is double strength, you have to...

After seeing how popular Oats-Honey-Milk soaps are, and surprisingly – expensive, I undertook formulating my own recipe after much research into available recipes in books and the web. Asking people what characteristics they associate with the soap was critical. I came up with: Creamy, bubbly...

Patchouli seems to be one of those scents that you either Love or Hate - with no middle ground. People (men especially) that I thought would love it turned out to hate it. Women seem to be on the fence about it. I've seen it used where you can't tell it's there at all. Of course the...

With the FDA, nothing is ever so simple. Distinguish between External and Internal drug approval, and the subsequent Regulatory sections that apply. I'm really tired of doing the battle on the FDA topic. You're all correct, I'm a noob - you're the experts. You win. Just call it...

Reference Mayan Magic Soap Thread http://soapmakingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23478 After Speaking with our Manufacturing Representative in the FDA this morning, some clarification may eliminate some of the perceptions presented in the feedback of this soap. Let’s be clear, if you...