What is it? Can I fix it?

[TashaBird]

They went into gel and since they weren't in a mold, they puddled. They will be fine to use.

Seems like they gelled really fast, did you have the oven turned on while the soap was in it?

No, oven was off. I think they still had quite a bit of liquid from the pour.

 

[TashaBird]

That is why they should always be put back into the mold. Sometimes they will go into a full gel and/ or melt when put into the oven.

I would try that next time. Hopefully won’t need a next time!

 

[TashaBird]

Well, this has been QUITE the roller coaster of a soap making batch! I was mortified and sure I’d lost them all. I put them in a cool room and walked away. Awhile later they were firming up and a nice much more even color. But, they were still soft enough I could reshape the gloppy ones, at least a little. I followed the videos directions exactly. I wonder if the formula had anything to do with it. Anyway, I’m back to being pleased with the batch and happy to put them away to cure.

 

[shermluge]

Awesome!!! Patience (for the most parts) wins with soap..

 

[lsg]

No fragrance oil. I added some EO after trace, but I think it blended in well. I hadn’t even thought of bacon FO! Have you used it? Do you like it?

No, that is one I haven't tried.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

It’s possible that the reason your soap melted so quickly is that you used a low lye concentration and beer as the liquid (lots of sugar). I just ran your recipe through the calculator at 5% superfat and came up with about 27% lye concentration or 36% water as percent of oils. Does that sound right? I apologize for not checking your recipe before I shared that I don’t put my soaps back in the mold. I never use a lye concentration lower than 33% and for that reason, my soaps start out much drier than yours. Like the ones in the video, they barely deform, even as they gel. I’m so happy to hear that all is well in the end.

 

[TashaBird]

It’s possible that the reason your soap melted so quickly is that you used a low lye concentration and beer as the liquid (lots of sugar). I just ran your recipe through the calculator at 5% superfat and came up with about 27% lye concentration or 36% water as percent of oils. Does that sound right? I apologize for not checking your recipe before I shared that I don’t put my soaps back in the mold. I never use a lye concentration lower than 33% and for that reason, my soaps start out much drier than yours. Like the ones in the video, they barely deform, even as they gel. I’m so happy to hear that all is well in the end.

I’m still trying to understand the lye as a percentage. I thought as long as my liquid was within the range the lye calculator offered that it was ok. So, maybe it was ok, but would behave differently in this situation?

 

[Mobjack Bay]

I’m still trying to understand the lye as a percentage. I thought as long as my liquid was within the range the lye calculator offered that it was ok. So, maybe it was ok, but would behave differently in this situation?

Everyone has personal presences and there is no right answer. I think these are the best reads on how water content/lye concentration affects soap making:

https://classicbells.com/soap/waterInSoap.asphttps://classicbells.com/soap/waterRatioConc.asp

 

[TashaBird]

Everyone has personal presences and there is no right answer. I think these are the best reads on how water content/lye concentration affects soap making:

https://classicbells.com/soap/waterInSoap.asphttps://classicbells.com/soap/waterRatioConc.asp

I just found that site recently and can’t wait to read these! And, again, thanks to all of you for helping! I’ve still got so much to learn!