FYI - There is no such thing. Using less water simply means that you are using a higher Lye Concentration. Example...if I use a 33% Lye Concentration and then use 10% less water, I'm actually using a 35.5% Lye Concentration, NOT 33%.
Do or do not. there is no try.
@TheGecko oh does that mean I'm using to much lye. I always soap at 40% concentration because my soaps always turn out the best for me with a 40% concentration and all my soaps pass the zap test I just learned to do, and ph strips my soap is a 9. So I decided I will try adding 5% Caster oil for the technique I'm trying to do I'm just a little worried it will set to fast but I do this when practicing my mantra swirl but it does set quicker. I might also try blending a little more I'm just scared to ruin my batch if I blend to much.
and I'll let everyone know how it goes.
I for got to mention it is a 3 pound batch and I will try soaping abit warmer to see if that helps to.Hmmm, you are starting with 60% soft oils that are slow-tracing, and your temps are low. Both of those will slow trace.
But it still seems like a very long time. What is the size of your batch? Larger batches do take longer to reach trace.
If you do want to trace sooner, try bumping up your temps to 95F, or stick-blending a bit longer.
Not at all...there are several soap makers here who use a 40% Lye Concentration.
Thank you so much. Im just still learning to control my soap batter and was worried if I was bringing my soap to a proper emulsion because my recipe takes so long to trace and also try to keep my batter a bit thicker so I can have thicker stripes on my Zebra soap I'm trying to make lol
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Wow that's really nice to know I like Lisa I dream in soap too. I love watching her videos. 18 to 24 hours wowsers that would really be hard to wait that long LOLThat soap is
I can understand wanting to get to trace faster, and I would recommend stick blending a little more. Still short bursts with stirring in between, but more of them. If you like your recipe there is no need to change it. You will learn what to do for the emulsion - trace you want to get to with practice. If you are sure you are reaching a stable emulsion, your soap will be lovely in the end.
A lot of people would be overjoyed to have a recipe that remains fluid for 30 minutes or more. If you are familiar with Marina of Creamy Obsession and her gorgeous and intricate work, she has said in her comment here that she knows that she can work with her batter for up to 18-24 hours if she only whisks it. Lisa at I Dream in Soap also keeps her batter fluid for a long time for some of her designs.
@TheGecko Oh Thank goodness I got worried for a sec I actually thought the higher the concentration the more of a water discount, I didn't realize it meant using more lye. LOL for me I always use 40% concentration because my soap always seems to turn out really nice when ever I go less I get soda ash and glycerin rivers or something. I still have so much to learn. Thank you so much for your info!
