Techie Joe
Well-Known Member
Hot Process (HP) Fluid Method (simple version)
.. From the video: Stick Blender Hot Process from start to finish
.. Expected duration: Under 30 minutes (not including preparation)
.. (video included below - 44 minutes)
Tools:
. Large Pot (much bigger than your batch to allow for expansion)
. Stick Blender
. Stirrer / whisk
. Moulds
. Safety gear and thermometer
Ingredients (your own recipe):
. Oils
. Caustic Soda (Lye)
. Water (distilled or purified)
. Additives; essence, colours, clay, etc
Have additives and moulds ready before you begin
Method:
Heat the oils in the pot to 76-85 c (170-185 f)
Remove from heat source
Make the Caustic Soda solution and add to the Oils immediately
Stir and blend intermittently until light trace
Blend-in clay if desired
Keep blending and stirring past thick trace until the batter gets thinner (like applesauce)
No more blending from now on, only stirring
Watch for first volcano (expansion), then whisk / stir it down, its only bubbles
Use silicon stirrer to keep batter off the sides of the pot throughout (thru) the process
Stir occasionally but let it cook aswel, the mix should still be generating heat
(the more you stir the more water evaporates and the thicker your mix will be)
Watch for the second volcano
During second volcano, keep the mix stirred down to let bubbles escape, this should last for a minute or two
Once both volcano stages have stopped, the stirring sound will change to a sticky one as it is now the Gel stage
At this point your mix is 98% done, clean sides of pot and let the mix sit for a moment
Put your hot additives in and mix them, make sure the pot sides are clear of soap
If your mix is too thick you can add a little hot oil or something (suggestions welcome to suit your recipe)
Your mix is DONE and ready to pour into moulds or separate into jugs for colouring
Your soap should be ready to de-mould and cut after about 12 hours depending on thickness
You can use it straight away but its recommended to cure it for at least a few weeks so the moisture can fully evaporate
Notes:
A lower oil temperature will make less volatile volcanoes
Test PH as you wish after the second volcano, but remember the mix is still very hot
Touch some mix onto your tongue (zap test), it may be several seconds before you can sense anything
The mixture should stay hot during the entire process
A temperature of at least 82 c (180 f) is needed to complete this process
Use only hot additives not cold, to prevent seizing of your batter
Mixing Caustic Soda, always wear long sleeves, gloves and safety glasses to fend-off splashes, vapours and what I like to call "microscopic caustic fireballs"
I would love to hear of tips and improvements to this method
Good luck
(Edited to exclude "slow cooker" as it is too hard to control the heat with them. Also included "thermometer")
.. From the video: Stick Blender Hot Process from start to finish
.. Expected duration: Under 30 minutes (not including preparation)
.. (video included below - 44 minutes)
Tools:
. Large Pot (much bigger than your batch to allow for expansion)
. Stick Blender
. Stirrer / whisk
. Moulds
. Safety gear and thermometer
Ingredients (your own recipe):
. Oils
. Caustic Soda (Lye)
. Water (distilled or purified)
. Additives; essence, colours, clay, etc
Have additives and moulds ready before you begin
Method:
Heat the oils in the pot to 76-85 c (170-185 f)
Remove from heat source
Make the Caustic Soda solution and add to the Oils immediately
Stir and blend intermittently until light trace
Blend-in clay if desired
Keep blending and stirring past thick trace until the batter gets thinner (like applesauce)
No more blending from now on, only stirring
Watch for first volcano (expansion), then whisk / stir it down, its only bubbles
Use silicon stirrer to keep batter off the sides of the pot throughout (thru) the process
Stir occasionally but let it cook aswel, the mix should still be generating heat
(the more you stir the more water evaporates and the thicker your mix will be)
Watch for the second volcano
During second volcano, keep the mix stirred down to let bubbles escape, this should last for a minute or two
Once both volcano stages have stopped, the stirring sound will change to a sticky one as it is now the Gel stage
At this point your mix is 98% done, clean sides of pot and let the mix sit for a moment
Put your hot additives in and mix them, make sure the pot sides are clear of soap
If your mix is too thick you can add a little hot oil or something (suggestions welcome to suit your recipe)
Your mix is DONE and ready to pour into moulds or separate into jugs for colouring
Your soap should be ready to de-mould and cut after about 12 hours depending on thickness
You can use it straight away but its recommended to cure it for at least a few weeks so the moisture can fully evaporate
Notes:
A lower oil temperature will make less volatile volcanoes
Test PH as you wish after the second volcano, but remember the mix is still very hot
Touch some mix onto your tongue (zap test), it may be several seconds before you can sense anything
The mixture should stay hot during the entire process
A temperature of at least 82 c (180 f) is needed to complete this process
Use only hot additives not cold, to prevent seizing of your batter
Mixing Caustic Soda, always wear long sleeves, gloves and safety glasses to fend-off splashes, vapours and what I like to call "microscopic caustic fireballs"
I would love to hear of tips and improvements to this method
Good luck
(Edited to exclude "slow cooker" as it is too hard to control the heat with them. Also included "thermometer")
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