Rebatch Question

[bookworm]

Hello to all you selfless sharing people,

I’m curious to know if it’s possible to rebatch a soap, and use it as the base layer in the mold and then pour a batch of freshly made cp on top.

If yes, does one need to wait until the rebatch has cooled down and then pour the fresh batch?

If this is possible, would the same recipe be required for the fresh batch?

Thank you so much.

 

[AliOop]

I’m curious to know if it’s possible to rebatch a soap, YES and use it as the base layer in the mold YES and then pour a batch of freshly made cp on top. YES, but it may or may not stick - see below.

If yes, does one need to wait until the rebatch has cooled down and then pour the fresh batch? NO, in fact it will stick better if the rebatch is still warm and very soft. You might even need to wet the top of it a bit before pouring the new batter on top of it.

If this is possible, would the same recipe be required for the fresh batch? No. You can use different recipes.

You might also consider just shredding the soap you want to rebatch, and making confetti soap instead. Much easier. Many threads here with pictures and instructions for confetti soap.

 

[bookworm]

Thank you so much, hadn’t considered confetti prior to your suggestion.
My daughter has been urging me to make confetti before , but I wasn’t keen.
But I’m thinking I’ll give it a go, first due to the fact that rebatch doesn’t look as good and secondly as you so kindly pointed out, the layers might not stick.

Really appreciate your time and assistance.

 

[AliOop]

Confetti soaps can be so pretty that some people make them on purpose, and not just to use up failed soaps. Be sure to post a picture for us!

 

[earlene]

I've done this many times. I like to create layers of soap with old soap and sometimes new soap over some days.

There are a couple of ways to help layers of older soap adhere to the new soap better. You can score the older soap (sort of like if you were scoring a peanut butter cookie prior to baking the cookies). The rough scoring helps the new soap have something 'grab onto' as opposed to just sitting on top.

If you want the layers to be totally flush, though you can get the dry older layer wet first to soften the top surface (make soap glue - get soap wet and a tad mushy like paste, and smear it onto the dry soap). Then be sure to CPOP. The CPOP will help the layers to adhere. This is much like 'soap welding' which works to stick pieces of soap together, but may require an extra step (see next paragraph.)

If layers start to separate when or after you cut the soap you can complete the weld this way: Get the layers wet, stick them together, wrap the bars in plastic kitchen wrap very tightly, place in oven and heat. Here are links for more information about this process:
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/smf-july-2020-challenge-welded-soap.79925/For more links, see the first post in that thread for an ebook and videos showing the process.
I think the plastic wrap idea that I use is not covered elsewhere, but it works fantastically and I have not had welded soap fall apart using this method (thoughout the life of the soap in use).

Another way to 'weld' the soap that I think DeeAnna uses for curing partial gel also works to 'weld' non-sticking layers, as long as you wet the non-adhering surfaces first. That is to put all the cut bars back into the original mold and heat the soap in an oven. I would follow the same procedure for heat & time that I use when made the welded soap in the first linked post above (200° F for about 10-20 minutes, @bookreader451 found 40 minutes worked better for her, so it could take longer, for whatever reason).

One tip that works for me: If you know ahead of time you won't be able to put all the layers together on the same day, wrap the soap in plastic wrap to slow down moisture loss. The adherence of each layer is much more reliable for me when I do this. I have used soap as old as 18 months in layers this way and had no problem with the layers sticking together.

 

[bookworm]

I've done this many times. I like to create layers of soap with old soap and sometimes new soap over some days.

There are a couple of ways to help layers of older soap adhere to the new soap better. You can score the older soap (sort of like if you were scoring a peanut butter cookie prior to baking the cookies). The rough scoring helps the new soap have something 'grab onto' as opposed to just sitting on top.

If you want the layers to be totally flush, though you can get the dry older layer wet first to soften the top surface (make soap glue - get soap wet and a tad mushy like paste, and smear it onto the dry soap). Then be sure to CPOP. The CPOP will help the layers to adhere. This is much like 'soap welding' which works to stick pieces of soap together, but may require an extra step (see next paragraph.)

If layers start to separate when or after you cut the soap you can complete the weld this way: Get the layers wet, stick them together, wrap the bars in plastic kitchen wrap very tightly, place in oven and heat. Here are links for more information about this process:
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/smf-july-2020-challenge-welded-soap.79925/For more links, see the first post in that thread for an ebook and videos showing the process.
I think the plastic wrap idea that I use is not covered elsewhere, but it works fantastically and I have not had welded soap fall apart using this method (thoughout the life of the soap in use).

Another way to 'weld' the soap that I think DeeAnna uses for curing partial gel also works to 'weld' non-sticking layers, as long as you wet the non-adhering surfaces first. That is to put all the cut bars back into the original mold and heat the soap in an oven. I would follow the same procedure for heat & time that I use when made the welded soap in the first linked post above (200° F for about 10-20 minutes, @bookreader451 found 40 minutes worked better for her, so it could take longer, for whatever reason).

One tip that works for me: If you know ahead of time you won't be able to put all the layers together on the same day, wrap the soap in plastic wrap to slow down moisture loss. The adherence of each layer is much more reliable for me when I do this. I have used soap as old as 18 months in layers this way and had no problem with the layers sticking together.

Wow I’m so totally amazed at this.
Thank you so much for your detailed information and procedure.
It has certainly opened up more options.( and greatly increased my knowledge)
I never fail to be amazed and deeply grateful to all of you who so willingly share your knowledge and experience.
Thank you, thank you, thank you