"Superfatting" vs. "Lye Discount"

[Momonga]

Are these terms interchangeable? Is there a difference in the effect if you incorporate additional oils or butters at trace (I was under the impression that this was "superfatting", more than just a lye discount)? And if you incorporate oils at trace, do you include them in your lye calculations?

 

[jcandleattic]

These terms are interchangeable and mean the same thing.

 

[VanessaP]

Most people consider them interchangable. Cause and effect, really.

I dump all my oils in at once with CP. At trace, the lye is still very very active and it will saponify whatever oil it wants to, so there is no use in trying to superfat with a specific oil at trace. For HP, which I prefer, I don't add my superfat after the cook. I just dump it all in at the start. Now, if I wanted to use an exotic oil as my superfat, I would wait until after the cook to do so. But if its that much of an exotic oil, I also wouldn't be "wasting" it in a wash-off product.

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

You may find this helpful:
http://cavemanchemistry.com/LyeDiscount-Dunn.pdf

 

[Lindy]

I highly recommend buying "Scientific Soapmaking" by Kevin Dunn. It eliminates a lot of the myths in soap making - and we have a lot of them!

 

[Momonga]

Thanks all! I have come across this book in my preparations, but not read it yet. Didn't know he has a web site!