Search results

DeeAnna, as always your posts are very informative and helpful. It's true that I mean to say fatty acids and not oils. Seeing as how this is simply an idle curiosity, I won't be attempting to isolate fatty acids to test any time soon. It's good to know that overheating won't, necessarily...

Hello all! First off, a quick recap. A couple weeks ago I had 2 of 3 CP batches overheat a little bit on me. Panicked I turned to the collective wisdom of this forum. I was told that the liquid forming on top of the loafs would likely re-absorb and the soap would be fine (It did re-absorb but...

Thank you all so much! I just cut 3 of the other soaps I made yesterday that were fine and I'll wait on these until tomorrow or the next day. Susie, great tip on the "sink of water". DeeAnna, you and Shunt2011 have put my mind at ease and THAT is priceless! Thanks again! Jack

Thanks for the quick response! Y'all are awesome! I'll let it sit. I took it in to an air conditioned room. Out of curiosity, what is it? Lye? Glycerin? Thanks!

Hello all! Long time, no post. Rest assured I'm doing well and I've been soaping consistently thanks to the advice and help I've gleaned from here! While I've been soaping for the past 3-4 years, this my first time soaping in my new place during a heat wave (it's like 90f and 90% humidity)...

Thanks! I'll give it a go. What's the worst that can happen? I make a bad soap and learn a lesson? I think I'll use it as an opportunity to try an idea I had for a shave stick. Arko style. Thanks!

Hello all! Long time no post! I would love to catch up but 3 jobs have left me lacking in time. Anywhoo! I have a quick question regarding stearic acid. For a couple years now I've been using it in my shave soap (like many of us) and I ran out recently. I mentioned this to my wife and how I...

Hey! Does anyone know of a dupe that is close to Crabtree and Evelyn's old Sandalwood? It's really sweet and oddly enticing. I would love to find a FO that mimics it. Thoughts? Thanks, Jack

Seawolfe, the batch is zapless at around 20 minutes into the cook but I cook for a full 90 minutes. When I unmolded they had been room temp for an hour. Not sure if this matters but my mold is a BB 3 inch silicon round individual mold.

Oh it's not a problem that they're soft. In fact, I was surprised as to how hard they were (I use 100% KOH so they're usually soft but the 1 &1/2 hr cooking time seems to help them firm up enough to mold in a puck). Usually they come out a bit soft but over the cure they firm up enough to wrap...

Good questions! The last time I made it was in March. My cook time is 1 &1/2 hours which I know is longer than I have to but its always worked for me. The only change I made is the timing of when I add the glycerin. I figured it couldn't hurt to simply add it when I add the FO which I did...

Hello all! So, yesterday I made 2 batches of shave soap using one of my usual recipes. My last batch I used lard for fun and the soap ended up having a bit of a piggy smell (not a good thing considering how important scent is to a shave soap). This time I made an older version which was: 45%...

I just realized that the last batch I made of shave soap I forgot to add glycerin! Think I should rebatch it and let the FO just disappear? or should I start again? I've never rebatched but it sounds like a nightmare. Thoughts? Thanks, Jack

I have a batch that just came out of cure, the oil bill is: 95% Lard 5% Castor oil with a 5% superfat and the FO is BB's Cedar & Saffron I'll admit it's not very lather-y but it does fine and its performance is my wife's favorite of any batch I've made thus far.

Ok. Cool! It is definitely yellow. I had heard that DOS could be various shades including brown. I figured if it went one direction on the spectrum it could go the other. Also, if it was DOS wouldn't it smell off? Thanks! Jack

This soap I made about a month ago and I've noticed these tiny off color dots. The FO is bamboo lotus and the oil bill is: 7% castor 7% coconut 25% olive 61% lard 6% SF I've never encountered DOS before so I don't know what to think. It smells fine but I'm obviously concerned. I've been...

Hey all! I'm looking to take an informal survey about curing. I was wondering how everyone cures their soaps. I think this could be a great learning experience for us all! I'll start: I cute them for at least a month (to start, I'm still experimenting) I put them on a paper grocery bag...

Hello all! After cutting yet another few batches with a knife I realize that I must be getting worse at it! No idea how but each 2 lb batch I slice ends up worse than the last. I've finally decided to get a soap cutter. Seeing as how I don't want to spend a lot (i.e. don't have a lot) I've...

Has anyone ever tried a soap using just olive oil and lard? I made a 100% Lard soap and I really liked it! The other day I made a 95% Lard/5% Castor Oil to see how it would affect the lather. This got me thinking, What would happen if I made a soap using just olive oil and Lard? I'm still...

Thanks all! That's pretty much what I figured. Good to know I'm not crazy! Jack