Kris10Tackles

@TallTayl the freedom of creativity is why I have no desire to start a candle, soap, whatever business. I LOVE being able to just make something fun because I want to versus (very much like have a jam company) having to make the same thing over and over and over again.  Creativity is fun!

Stunning! I’m in complete awe!

Where can I read more about that? Or is it just because it’s been foggy/drizzly over the past few days?

I decided to venture out and start experimenting with the superfat. All of my previous soap batches were made at 5% superfat and so I wanted to try 3% to see what the difference would be like. It kind of seems like my soap is secreting oil. Eh is that normal?

I’m actually really happy with how the bar looks. For those that have been along on this ride with me… look no bubbles!!! 
 

is everything okay and can just let them cure or is it bad?

I used 30% each coconut, palm, and olive oil.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

Kristen

On 9/20/2022 at 2:35 PM, NightLight said:

That looks perfect. What did you do different?

I tried a different stick blender. CuisinArt for the win.

Progress!!

1 hour ago, NightLight said:

Stick blender bubble and thickish batter. You can see the bubbles.  Try stick blending briefly burb batter and pour thinner.

This was right after I poured they lye water, burbled, blended for less than a second. There was no trace in sight! 

On 9/13/2022 at 1:11 PM, asr said:

How soon are you unmolding/cutting after you pour? I have found I get less spots like that the longer I wait to unmold and cut. I am using a wire cutter which I think tends to highlight any bubbles, but seems like if I wait an extra day they aren't as bad. I did some experiments with this; I will try to take some pics later. 

Between 24-48 hours for the 4inch loaf. Should I be waiting longer? 
 

I made another batch on Monday. I’m now wondering if it’s my stick blender? This happened after burping and with a half second pulse.

I think I’m going to take @TallTayl’s advice not work so much about this. They are lovely bars and I love using them and I make them because it’s fun way to be creative with a side of chemistry.

These 3 bars were cut three different ways. In no particular order one with a chefs knife, one with a dough scraper looking blade, and one with a wire. In person they look identical.

25 minutes ago, NightLight said:

Are you doing CPOP because that can cause bubbles. I found if you just let CP soap do its thing without CPOP behaves better.

Sorry what’s the OP? Still very new. Just googled it. 
 

I don’t oven process. I just let it do it’s thing in the mold. 

Yes I am making them in small batches - too afraid I’m going to mess things up and I like the variety.  I’m mixing 4 cup plastic pouring pitchers that seem fairly narrow, I think they’re just wider than the stick blender.

2 hours ago, TallTayl said:

Are you making very small batches? If your bowl is fairly shallow when making a small batch, it’s very easy to introduce air. Maybe a narrower container that’s deeper might help.

 

Your soap is still excellent looking though. Don’t sweat it too badly.

🥰 thanks for the wise words. 

Well, I think I’ve narrowed down the when. I tried again while making a few adjustments.

Combined lye water and oils at 115 vs 120. Gentle stirred with a spatula before using the blender and another zero water discount batch. 

Before I added the lye water, I was looking at the oils and this is when I first saw the little bubbles. I thought I was being very diligent about not adding air into the oils but there they were!

I still continued on trying to be aware of how much air I was allowing into the soap batter, mixed to a lighter trace than what I usually do. Ur still achieved emulsion. The bubbles weren’t going away but they also weren’t getting worse.

I’m still perplexed but I guess I feel a little but better knowing I’m not causing this while I’m mixing everything together.

What does it make you think of when you smell it? I’m not a candle business but I did like mixing scents. I remember there was this one I mixed into the wax I just blurted out, “oh man she’s as sexy beast!”

I agree “sweater weather” is over used.

Well, the weekend batch had fewer bubbles but it was also really soft and sticky. I’m wondering if I should have waited longer to un-mold it?

I also tried another batch and made a time lapse. 

I’ll cut them open tomorrow. 🤞🏻🤞🏻The waiting is torturous! I want to know now!

56 minutes ago, NightLight said:

Do you use sodium lactate? I always use, and you can unmold soaps with more water with ease.

I did! I’m hoping less mixing will be the key. It felt really nice while I was stirring, almost like cake batter.

I made more gremlins today. No water discount and barely blended but still achieved trace. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻In the 4 inch silicon mold I’m usually able to un-mold and cut after 24 hours with 15% water discount. I’m wondering should wait a few mores days since there’s more water?

I’m thinking this means I should try again tomorrow?! 
 

I am also doing between 5-15% water discount. Would that make a difference?

1 hour ago, Lizzy said:

yeah burping the blender or tapping the mold on the counter after pouring usually worked for me. Sometimes it didn't. I don't think air bubbles are a big deal in a soap.   your soaps look great! I love the simplicity of them. 

Thank you!! I’m having so much fun learning how to do it. Soon I’ll take the training wheels off. 

I have been doing that until air no longer releases. Anything else I could be doing better or am I being too 🤔 I can’t think of the word.

I’m hoping to give soap to my immediate family this year for the holidays. I feel like I’m starting to understand the process and I’m personally loving what I’ve made so far - good lather, moisturizing, smells good. I still have training wheels on by using the Bramble Berry Quick Mixes but I’m okay with that. I’ll venture into actually recipes in the en t few months or early next year.

My question is, are these little air bubbles normal or is there something I can be doing differently? I feel like it’s something I’m doing because it’s happening with different mixes and also I both 19oz batches and 54oz batches. 
 

Could it be I’m being a little heavy handed with my immersion blender?

Thanks in advance for any insight.

On 7/9/2022 at 10:36 AM, NightLight said:

Under the bad in a shoebox works! Try a blend with coconut oil as main with some olive thrown in 80/10, 80/20. I like it so much better than olive. I don’t even add castor. Keep super fat low. Also sub water with some glycerin and it traces and cooks fast.

🤣 I’ll look into swapping glycerine for water.

😆😆 I’ve been told I’m not “allowed” to make more soap until August.