Candybee Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Just made my first batch of soap. I used AJ's basic soap recipe. It just happened to be the one with the exact same ingredients I wanted to try out for my first batch;45 % olive oil5 % castor oil25% coconut oil25% lardAs soon as I added the lye solution it started getting thick real quick. I am so sure I botched it but will have to wait. I used the stick blended for a few seconds at a time but it didn't take long for it to become thick and creamy. I have only seen trace once so I had to guess. The spoon started leaving 'trails' in the mix and when I let the mix drip from the spoon it just barely sat there before sinking in. I didn't use any dyes or scent for my first batch. Thought I would try to learn everything from the ground up.Now if my nerves would just settle down.Question; how do I know if the batch is over heating? and how long do I keep it wrapped? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorrie Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 how much lye did you use and how much water did you mix the lye in? If your soap is over heating it will start to expand and crack. Kind of like bread. I keep my soap wrapped until the next day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 I used the lye calculator from MMS and came up with 18 oz water and 6.75 oz lye for a 5% excess fat. Total wt of oils 48 oz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorrie Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 (edited) Did you cover the soap with a towel or anything? Lately I have been leaving the lid off of my molds because the soap is heating. I also don't put my soap on a heating pad. It is also ok to take a peek once in a while;)And your recipe looks ok to me and your soap will be fine. Edited January 23, 2012 by Lorrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 (edited) Thanks Lorrie. I don't think its overheating. I peaked a couple of time and its a creamy white. There is some warmth coming off the soap but it doesn't seem hot. I was taking peaks because I wanted to see the gel stage but I its been 2 hrs and its still creamy white. Maybe I missed gel? or do not all soaps gel? I'm so confused reading all this material on soap. I decided I just have to dive in and do it! I am one of those people that learns better doing hands on. Reading too much just gives me a headache!Oh yes, I covered it up with some towels.I was worried because I let the lye solution get to 110 degrees and the oils were at 125 degrees. I was trying to cool the oils to the lye temp but the lye kept getting cooler so I just decided to go ahead and start making the batch. So I added the lye at 110 degrees while the oils were just under 125%. I'll do better (I hope) next time! Edited January 23, 2012 by Candybee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8-GRAN-ONES Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 sounds like you are doing good..if you are not careful, you will be looking for excuses tomake more...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitn Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 It sounds great, you can tell by looking or feeling the mold if it is getting to hot. I had a batch of eucalyptus spearmint hit full gel within 5 minutes of hitting the mold the other day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudMarineMom Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Yay Candybee, way to go!! Congratulations on your first batch of CP. I'm still reading and taking notes and hope to make my first batch before too long. Keep us posted on how it's going. I'm excited for you! J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorrie Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 candybee don't worry about it gelling. It may take it sometime. I have some batches that seem to take forever and a day to gel, some just don't even gel, and some are in full gel within a few minutes. It not a must- Kitn- was your batch an fo or eo batch? I have noticed a few of my fo batches latey are accelerating and gelling faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonShadow Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Congrats on your first batch of CP soap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 Thanks for the kind words. I never did catch the gel stage. I have only seen pictures. Just wanted to see for myself what it was like. Right now its kind of soft like semi wet chalk. I am so glad I picked this recipe. I love the creamy whiteness of it. I'll leave pics in the gallery.I don't think I am going to be able to sleep tonight. All I can think of is when can I cut it!! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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