Chris_S
Well-Known Member
Ok so a few things i would really appriciate help with that i have spotted while looking on the forums tonight. Wasnt sure where to post this as its quite non specific but still about soap making so sorry if its in wrong place. I understand if i needs to be moved elsewhere. (moved to beginners)
Firstly i use a glass pyrex jug for my lye solution and didnt realise this has the potential to crack while in use the suggestion was to use ss something id prefer to avoid because as mentioned in the thread it is more difficult to see the solution. So that leaves me with plastic i would guess that it has to be a specific type because of the nature of lye solution and the heat it produces. Is the an international standard or any people from the uk that could point me for what im going to have to look for?
Secondly i am thinking of making a larger mold (slab mold i think they are called) than iv got now i am fine making it im a pretty practical person is there any specific types of wood i have to use or can you use pretty much anything because you need a liner? Iv seen molds than have the end that folds down persumably to get better access to the soap once ready to demold is this nessicary and can i use a door hinge for this purpose. Id be generally looking for about 3 times the width and maybe twice the lenght of a standard box mold with a silicone liner but it would be worked out also on the width of liner i wanted to use on a regular basis. or as an alternative could i use a clean and brand new letter tray and just line it?
When mixing lye solution say a few hours before needed how do i go about adding liquid and solid oils obviously melting them but if the lye solution is room temp what temp do i then mix the oils with the lye solution wouldnt they start to return to solid form at room temp if say i put cocoa butter in the recipe?
Because of the cold this time of year in my part of england my previous soaping area isnt really very practical anymore and if im honest far too dark even when lights turned on for any detailed work so i have decided on using my spare room. i have no carpet down but have an old but big rug in there near the desk i plan on using and will be putting down a thickish probably plastic lined sheet down and washed after each soaping adventure to catch any bad spills then getting cleaned up for everyones safety but particually the cats. the plan is to use the previous soaping space to mix the lye and the kitchen to melt the oils although they will be prepped and wieghed out upstairs in the spare room unless i get a single hob plate thing at some point. I can keep the cats out of that room easy enough while im soaping just need to put one the litter trays in the bathroom while im busy. My questions are can i place my made soaps to gel or harden in a sliding doored wardrobe and shut it entirely until ready to unmold to make sure little kitty noses dont get overly nosy in the night and start causing any trouble knocking things off ect it would be kept out of reach but theres a potential for them to knock the shelves and it cause a problem or fall unless the doors kept shut. Wont be cured in there only stored until unmolded
And another quick question could someone please explain or at least point me in right direction to find the instructions of how to edit what you have inventory wise on sm3 i can input via purchase got that sussed now but i have some oils iv used before i got the software but when inputting them as stock didnt want to put in accurate amounts because that just seemed like more trouble that it was worth. but i now cant find where to change the levels. It would be a guess but i would prefer to be under guessing than over guessing amounts left.
And yet another thing. I bought some olive oil pomace but it was blended type which i only noticed when i got home wasnt aware this exsisted. So i know % of the blend how would i input it accurately into a soap capc? its 52% pomace and 48% rapeseed oil.
Thanks in advance for any help given
Firstly i use a glass pyrex jug for my lye solution and didnt realise this has the potential to crack while in use the suggestion was to use ss something id prefer to avoid because as mentioned in the thread it is more difficult to see the solution. So that leaves me with plastic i would guess that it has to be a specific type because of the nature of lye solution and the heat it produces. Is the an international standard or any people from the uk that could point me for what im going to have to look for?
Secondly i am thinking of making a larger mold (slab mold i think they are called) than iv got now i am fine making it im a pretty practical person is there any specific types of wood i have to use or can you use pretty much anything because you need a liner? Iv seen molds than have the end that folds down persumably to get better access to the soap once ready to demold is this nessicary and can i use a door hinge for this purpose. Id be generally looking for about 3 times the width and maybe twice the lenght of a standard box mold with a silicone liner but it would be worked out also on the width of liner i wanted to use on a regular basis. or as an alternative could i use a clean and brand new letter tray and just line it?
When mixing lye solution say a few hours before needed how do i go about adding liquid and solid oils obviously melting them but if the lye solution is room temp what temp do i then mix the oils with the lye solution wouldnt they start to return to solid form at room temp if say i put cocoa butter in the recipe?
Because of the cold this time of year in my part of england my previous soaping area isnt really very practical anymore and if im honest far too dark even when lights turned on for any detailed work so i have decided on using my spare room. i have no carpet down but have an old but big rug in there near the desk i plan on using and will be putting down a thickish probably plastic lined sheet down and washed after each soaping adventure to catch any bad spills then getting cleaned up for everyones safety but particually the cats. the plan is to use the previous soaping space to mix the lye and the kitchen to melt the oils although they will be prepped and wieghed out upstairs in the spare room unless i get a single hob plate thing at some point. I can keep the cats out of that room easy enough while im soaping just need to put one the litter trays in the bathroom while im busy. My questions are can i place my made soaps to gel or harden in a sliding doored wardrobe and shut it entirely until ready to unmold to make sure little kitty noses dont get overly nosy in the night and start causing any trouble knocking things off ect it would be kept out of reach but theres a potential for them to knock the shelves and it cause a problem or fall unless the doors kept shut. Wont be cured in there only stored until unmolded
And another quick question could someone please explain or at least point me in right direction to find the instructions of how to edit what you have inventory wise on sm3 i can input via purchase got that sussed now but i have some oils iv used before i got the software but when inputting them as stock didnt want to put in accurate amounts because that just seemed like more trouble that it was worth. but i now cant find where to change the levels. It would be a guess but i would prefer to be under guessing than over guessing amounts left.
And yet another thing. I bought some olive oil pomace but it was blended type which i only noticed when i got home wasnt aware this exsisted. So i know % of the blend how would i input it accurately into a soap capc? its 52% pomace and 48% rapeseed oil.
Thanks in advance for any help given
