leashaann Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 I did a search on the topic but didn't find much. I'm just starting my soap making career and I've read a few books and made a few batches of HP soap. The book I'm currently reading teaches making cp soap but the author makes basic soaps and then mills them. She adds the fragrance, color etc in the milling process. My question is does anyone know any advantages / disadvantages to this?I know one downfall would be the extra curing time after milling it. Benifit would be that more of the FO / EO would last. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbren Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 Milling/rebatching is all I did before I started making my own CP...only I used a friend's soap to do it. I've heard of a lot of people using the process you mentioned lately. Rebatched soap is wonderful to use, however, lots of people think it isn't as 'pretty' as CP soap can be. It can look pretty rustic, but with some practice, I was even able to get swirls in rebatched soap.The benefits...it can be used immediately, just as HP soap can. If done properly and not too much liquid added, the time it takes to dry out completely isn't long at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doris Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 I assume you've got Norma Coney's book.My first few batches worked "well": they melted etc, but then shrank to almost nothing once they dried. Later batches for some reason didn't work: they turned into lumpy messes.In theory, it sounds like a wonderful idea: make a large batch of soap, remelt and scent a portion of it. However, all my soaps were ugly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbren Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 I assume you've got Norma Coney's book.My first few batches worked "well": they melted etc, but then shrank to almost nothing once they dried. Later batches for some reason didn't work: they turned into lumpy messes.In theory, it sounds like a wonderful idea: make a large batch of soap, remelt and scent a portion of it. However, all my soaps were ugly.I learned very quickly that I got better information on the net than in any of the soapmaking books. Even some online instructions tell you to use entirely too much liquid. If soap is fresh, you don't even need any additional liquid to rebatch...hence...the 'shrinkage' is at the very minimum. Now, I only rebatch occasionally...bevels from my soaps. Since I started using Kelsei molds, I have very little soap scraps or waste. I use the rebatched soaps for myself, and I love them because they have a little bit of everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leashaann Posted February 16, 2007 Author Share Posted February 16, 2007 I learned very quickly that I got better information on the net than in any of the soapmaking books. Even some online instructions tell you to use entirely too much liquid. I'm learning this. I actually found a lot of mistakes in the water calculations in one of my books. I followed her directions for calculating and a few of her recipes were off. She may have adjusted intentionally but there was no explanation. I returned that one to the library. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperi Posted April 7, 2007 Share Posted April 7, 2007 Milling/rebatching is all I did before I started making my own CP...only I used a friend's soap to do it. I've heard of a lot of people using the process you mentioned lately. Rebatched soap is wonderful to use, however, lots of people think it isn't as 'pretty' as CP soap can be. It can look pretty rustic, but with some practice, I was even able to get swirls in rebatched soap.The benefits...it can be used immediately, just as HP soap can. If done properly and not too much liquid added, the time it takes to dry out completely isn't long at all.What was your method for swirling rebatch? I've only been able to do really good rebatch! Any tips would be appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbren Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 What was your method for swirling rebatch? I've only been able to do really good rebatch! Any tips would be appreciatedI rebatch in the microwave. Shred soaps on a box-type cheese grater or KA attachment. Use a large plastic bowl with cover. Lightly mist with water or liquid...just enough to dampen the shreds and toss like a salad.Cover, microwave for 1-2 minutes on half power. Stir down, cover and zap some more in 15-20 second spurts until it's at a creamy, pourable stage.I removed some from the main bowl and whisked in some black oxide, poured back in the bowl in a few blobs in different areas, stirred once or twice through with the nylon spoon, poured into log mold. Here is the finished product: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperi Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 Wow ty so much that is a beautiful picture I'm going to experiment tonight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heirloomoriginals Posted April 9, 2007 Share Posted April 9, 2007 That is really nice and doesn't even look like rebatch.Steph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katinka Posted April 9, 2007 Share Posted April 9, 2007 Wow, those REALLY don't look like they have been rebatched - congrats, you have a new admirer!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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