eugenia Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Basically, it's a bad reaction with the fragrance and lye. Rapidly, you have a rock solid pot of soap that is impossible to get into a mold.You can throw it away, but there is another option. I just had 9.5 lbs of soap seize. BAM!!!! Instant rock in just a minute after I added my lye water to my oils and fragrance. You could not even stir it. I took the pot, put it on the stove, lit the burner on low. I added some water to make up for the discount (some water evaporates during HP so discounting is not recommended) and 1 tablespoon of regular sugar per pound of oils.I continued to stir until I thought my arm would fall off, but eventually, it all became gelatinous. At the point that all the rocks were melted, I poured it into the mold.I did not even color it and it won't win any beautiful soap awards, but it will be soap.This has not happened to me in a while, but I wanted to give the new soapers a heads up so that they know what their options are if this should happen.e Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Not all that new, but something to definitely try rather than just pitch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarieJeanette Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Very good advice. I've only ever had to do that once (with Lait Sucre from SW), but it worked like a charm and saved my batch.MarieJeanette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbren Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I had a the second big seize of my life Saturday using condensed milk in a recipe. I put mine in the microwave! No sugar or extra liquid, but got the same result, and it's ugly as all hell, but it lathers great and smells good to boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eugenia Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 No sugar or extra liquid, but got the same result, and it's ugly as all hell, but it lathers great and smells good to boot.That's what I'm hoping for!e Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruina Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Great thread for us newbies.I like the microwave idea since my soaping pot is not really a pot but a plastic rubbermaid pitcher. So, what's the temp & time if doing this in the microwave? Would love to know just in case I have to do. Thank you all for these great tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbren Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 I soap in a large plastic mixing bowl with rubber on the bottom (from IKEA)It was only a 35 oz. oils batch, I put it in the microwave on Power Level 7 for a minute, checked it and stirred it around, put it in for another minute...same thing, then put it in for 30 seconds and that did the trick.It wasn't really 'fluid' like a medium traced soap (I didn't add any liquid), but it was more like a rebatch. It poured into the mold, but very thick. Banged it on the counter a couple times and just let it sit til it was cooled off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruina Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Thanks jbren. The lye is cooked in that short span of time? Or will it still be raw? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michi Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Thanks for that tip E! Thank goodness you were able to save that huge batch!I've had this happen ONCE (knocking on wood) and I had no idea I could salvage it, so threw it out. It's nice to know there's still life after seize! LOLThanks as well to jbren-sounds like it goes much quicker in the micro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 oh it's happened to me a few time (I have this thing for heady florals). my crockpot is my friend...I like to think of it as HPing after the fact... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbren Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Thanks jbren. The lye is cooked in that short span of time? Or will it still be raw?It was cooked..no zap when I unmolded. I guess it was like doing HP only faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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