speeding up the cure time

[CajunLady]

This may have been addressed on here before but I am new to this site and looked but could not find it. Is there anyway to speed up the cure time on CP soaps? I am selling at a Festival on Feb 2 and the new soaps that I made a couple of days ago probably will not be ready. thank you

 

[Genny]

It's been discussed here a few times. If you put +speed +cure in the search function, you'll find lots of info. But here's some of it
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/f11/cure-time-29771/
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/f11/curing-time-schmuring-time-28302/
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/f11/cure-time-bar-size-28652/

The general opinion I've found from most soap makers that have been soaping for dozens of years is that there really is no way to speed up the curing process.

 

[CajunLady]

Thank you. That is what I thought but figured it would not hurt to ask. I will just save those bars for the next event a couple of weeks later. Can I just tell you how wonderful my house smells since I started making soaps....especially right now with the Peppermint ones just sitting there.:razz:

 

[Nevada]

"It takes a lot of beer to make wine"

Also true for soapmaking

 

[Lindy]

Part of the curing process is a reduction in water. If you do a steep water discount (Increase lye concentration) that will increase the cure time but only by a week or so. Saponification is complete usually within 48 hours unless you are not gelling your soap.

 

[serenaglynn]

I use grapefruit seed oil to speed up trace.

 

[Genny]

I use grapefruit seed oil to speed up trace.

How does that work?

Never mind. You said speed up trace. The OP was talking about speeding up cure. My brain thought you said speed up cure LOL

 

[sistrum]

And why would you want to? Do you stir by hand?

 

[Paintguru]

Being the newbie that I am, I'm curious why putting your soap into some sort of low temp oven wouldn't speed up the process? This should drive off the water and/or speed up any chemical reactions that are occurring. No experience here, just thinking of things from a chemistry point of view.

 

[Lindy]

Paintguru yes if you oven process your soap you are basically doing a hot process in the mould and it too will shorten cure time.