Ok, I've learned a lot through this forum and thought I'd share my findings with regards to ash. This has been tested and proven.
So what is ash? Ash is the white layer on top of your soap as it cures on the mold.
So what is the cause of ash? Before I thought you need to seal tight your mold to prevent ash. It helped but it didn't eliminate it. Then I was wondering why just the top portion of the soap? What goes up and makes ash? :idea: BUBBLES / AIR.
I have TOTALLY eliminated ASH by making sure my stick blender doesn't have air at the bottom when I start mixing. What AIR am I talking about? Just imagine you put a glass with its mouth facing the bottom, you submerge it on a bucket of water. What do you see on top of the glass? Air, so how do you eliminate air under the stick blender? Simply tilt is a few degrees as you submerge it, then shake the stick blender to release the remaining air then start mixing. Making sure that you don't expose the bottom part of the stick blender while you mix.
Tips:
If you are going to check for trace, don't lift your stick blender up. The only time you lift or expose the bottom part of your stick blender is when you're done. NEVER check trace using your stick blender, use another stick or spoon.
I would love to share some photos of my ash-less soaps but I just don't have the time now. I'll try to post some pics some other time.
I have other things I would like to share, but I just don't have the time to write them all down. Till then.
EDIT: I stopped covering my molds since I skip gel phase but I still get ash-less soaps :wink:
So what is ash? Ash is the white layer on top of your soap as it cures on the mold.
So what is the cause of ash? Before I thought you need to seal tight your mold to prevent ash. It helped but it didn't eliminate it. Then I was wondering why just the top portion of the soap? What goes up and makes ash? :idea: BUBBLES / AIR.
I have TOTALLY eliminated ASH by making sure my stick blender doesn't have air at the bottom when I start mixing. What AIR am I talking about? Just imagine you put a glass with its mouth facing the bottom, you submerge it on a bucket of water. What do you see on top of the glass? Air, so how do you eliminate air under the stick blender? Simply tilt is a few degrees as you submerge it, then shake the stick blender to release the remaining air then start mixing. Making sure that you don't expose the bottom part of the stick blender while you mix.
Tips:
If you are going to check for trace, don't lift your stick blender up. The only time you lift or expose the bottom part of your stick blender is when you're done. NEVER check trace using your stick blender, use another stick or spoon.
I would love to share some photos of my ash-less soaps but I just don't have the time now. I'll try to post some pics some other time.
I have other things I would like to share, but I just don't have the time to write them all down. Till then.
EDIT: I stopped covering my molds since I skip gel phase but I still get ash-less soaps :wink: