types of coconut oils

[kathrynit4]

Does anyone know which is the preferred type of coconut oil for soap making?
There's refined (food safe), fractionated, coconut oil 76 (?!)
I have always used coconut oil, but only just recently found out there are all these types!
Any clarification would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[7053joanne]

I don't know about everyone else but I generally use coconut 76 for soapmaking.

 

[kathrynit4]

Do you know what the 76 refers to?

 

[7053joanne]

I believe it is the melting point of the hard oil. Fractionated is the liquid form.

 

[kathrynit4]

That's interesting about the melting point.
The fractionated type (which i think I ended up with once) was not liquid though... perhaps I'm wrong about what type i received.

 

[topcat]

Hi! Fractionated is the light/liquid fractions of regular coconut oil and is a light, non-greasy liquid at all temps.

Coconut oil 76 is standard CO and begins to soften and melt at 76 degrees.

Coconut oil 92 is hydrogenated so that it is solid at most room temps and doesn't begin to melt until it reaches 92 degrees room temp.

Each soaps differently and most soapers that I know of use the 76 as a standard oil for their soaps. The 92 is great for body butters and balms and the fractionated is excellent as a massage oil base.

HTH!

Tanya

 

[kathrynit4]

Thanks so much for that concise information!

 

[topcat]

You're very welcome!

 

[angbaby4974]

WOW! That's perhaps the best explanation I've ever read! Thank you so much for sharing!

 

[ilovedoxies]

I use the 76° stuff in CP, it's the only one they sell at Walmart.