Question re: Lye

[Moonblossom]

Ok so I am mixing my Lye with a small amount of the water required for each batch of soap then adding GM after I add the lye to the oils and I have been having problems with my lye crystalizing in my pitcher before I stick it in the oils is this a lye problem or a me problem? any ideas?
Thanks
~Teri

 

[JackiK]

Are you making sure that the total of your water and GM are the amount required for the lye?

 

[Moonblossom]

Yes, I haven had problems with that just my Lye crystallizing before I get it to my oils example if it calls for 24 oz h20 I use 4oz h20 and 20 oz GM but I don't add the GM until I put the lye in my oils I have major problems with brownish orange if I do.

The only thing I can think of is I cool my lye down in a cold water bath. Last batch I made I had to pry the crystallized lye from my pitcher, then heat it up in the microwave to make sure all the lye was melting in the oils.
Thanks
~Teri

 

[calico21]

Are you using enough h2o to completely dissolve the lye? You should use the same weight in water as weight of lye. I believe if not then you should add your goats milk slowly to it as it cools then add to your oils.

 

[carebear]

Absolutely you must use at least as much water as lye. It's best if your GM is at room temp when you add it later on the process.

 

[MeadowHillFarmCT]

Today I used frozen goat milk and let the lye melt the milk. I had no off color at all and my lye mixture stayed at 70 degrees. I have to say it worked out great. Although to increase my temp I'd use 2/3 frozen and 1/2 cold GM.

see the color.. oh and this is tinted pinkish.