Hi there, I've been following this forum for about a year, but have just subscribed because I couldn't find the answer to my newest soap question here or online:
I just started using different lye, and suddenly I have cracking and gelling where I haven't before (same recipe, same mold, same water, same kitchen, same everything except the lye)
I was using lab grade NaOH, and then bought plumbing lye from a local hardware store that says free-flowing 100% lye. The sales clerk knew where it was because "lots of people are making soap with it", so it is being used for this purpose.
What could be causing the partial gel and cracking? I soaped at around 75C, but as I say, this is normal operating procedure for me. I didn't cover the last two batches to see if that would help....no.
The soap itself is fine, but I'm curious why the change has occurred.
I just started using different lye, and suddenly I have cracking and gelling where I haven't before (same recipe, same mold, same water, same kitchen, same everything except the lye)
I was using lab grade NaOH, and then bought plumbing lye from a local hardware store that says free-flowing 100% lye. The sales clerk knew where it was because "lots of people are making soap with it", so it is being used for this purpose.
What could be causing the partial gel and cracking? I soaped at around 75C, but as I say, this is normal operating procedure for me. I didn't cover the last two batches to see if that would help....no.
The soap itself is fine, but I'm curious why the change has occurred.