Substituting water for yogurt

[saratk]

Hello everyone,

If I were to substitute 1/2 of the distilled water (for lye) with yogurt that I add to the oils, would that still be enough liquid? I'm trying to formulate a yogurt soap but am not sure if I can replace one with the other of if I must take into account the thickness of the yogurt, the extra fat it adds, etc. I could really use some pointers please!

 

[BrewerGeorge]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that's probably not a good idea. Depending on the type of yogurt, the amount of water will vary quite a lot. While water amounts can vary quite a bit, that could be quite a bit.

If I were you, what I would do is strain regular yogurt overnight to extract the whey. Use that whey for 1/2 (or all) of your calculated liquid, then mix in a tablespoon or so of yogurt per pound of oils before adding the lye. The yogurt and the slightly acidic whey will raise the superfat above what the recipe calculator tells you, so I wouldn't start above 5% SF and I'd probably start at 3% if it were me.

 

[Cellador]

I have seen a recipe where yogurt is used as half the water amount. It says to mix the water & yogurt together & freeze, like you would with other milks.
I purchase powdered yogurt.

 

[Millie]

I would take George's advice on using a low superfat. I'd also try the split water method - 1:1:1 water:lye:yogurt, and blend the yogurt right into the oils before adding the lye water. I have had success using this method for milk soaps, but never tried yogurt. Let us know what method you end up using and what you think of the soap!

Here are two soapers who tried it different ways:
https://soapjam.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/yogurt-soaps-and-notes/
http://oilandbutter.blogspot.com/2012/10/sunflower-yogurt-soap.html

 

[Jeninok]

I use yogurt often, I do my normal 1:1.5 lye and water mixture and add about a tablespoon per pound of oils. I stick blend the yogurt into my oils just before adding the lye.

I'm using a very thick full fat homemade yogurt, so your liquid amounts may vary depending on your typical recipe and yogurt.

 

[penelopejane]

I would take George's advice on using a low superfat. I'd also try the split water method - 1:1:1 water:lye:yogurt, and blend the yogurt right into the oils before adding the lye water. I have had success using this method for milk soaps, but never tried yogurt. Let us know what method you end up using and what you think of the soap!

Here are two soapers who tried it different ways:
https://soapjam.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/yogurt-soaps-and-notes/
http://oilandbutter.blogspot.com/2012/10/sunflower-yogurt-soap.html

I would also do the split method, to ensure your yoghurt is counted as part of the water in the recipe and start with a low superfat.

 

[saratk]

I would take George's advice on using a low superfat. I'd also try the split water method - 1:1:1 water:lye:yogurt, and blend the yogurt right into the oils before adding the lye water. I have had success using this method for milk soaps, but never tried yogurt. Let us know what method you end up using and what you think of the soap!
/QUOTE]

I definitely will! I plan on making it this weekend so I'll let you know in a month or so.