RNSandSCENTS Posted October 21, 2008 Author Share Posted October 21, 2008 I don't think I was clear about the cure time. I was under the impression that soaps with high amounts of OO take 6 months or more to cure. For a new soaper, I figured that making a soap with a cure time that long would take me forever to test, therefore, I wanted a recipe that cured in a shorter amount of time.....more like 4-8 weeks. All of the recipes that I have cure in that time so I'm good. I do have an extra crock pot and may even try hp method one day but for now, 1 step at a time and I will focus on cp.I agree with the others, this has been an awesome thread. The responses have been simply wonderful. I am so glad that I started asking questions and even happier that the answers are helping others as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNSandSCENTS Posted October 22, 2008 Author Share Posted October 22, 2008 I've been looking at log molds and wanted to know if anyone had a recommendation and your reason for the recommendation. Shoe boxes are not an option as they all currently have residents in them. I went to the Silvermoon site and it appears it is down. Besides that, a couple of threads I read said there are issues with availability. I also read the thread regarding IKEA Fira molds but I wanted a mold that had a lid, something like this one...http://www.candlesandwoodcrafts.com/woodensoapmolds.htmI prefer to buy molds rather than start using alternative containers so that I can also learn how to cut, stamp and bevel my bars as well. One of my pet peeves is that I hate spending money on something I really didn't want in the first place because eventually I am going to buy what I wanted anyway.Also what is the best way to store butters & oils? Should I put them in the refrigerator or just in a cool, dark place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Yes, I recommend those molds. I have one and use it all the time. It was one of my first molds I ever bought. Store oils and butters in a cool, dark spot. The fridge is a great place for them too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Just offering my encouragement. It took probably what seemed an eternity before I started making and experimenting with a lot of people chastising me for not starting with an uncolored soap and moving the traditional route so to speak (or what seemed traditional as I was trying to formulate my own recipe on my third batch.) BTW ... I would tell people if they saw a small mushroom cloud to head to their shelters ... and I was probably 3/4 serious lol. Just treat the lye with respect and get beyond that first batch. You'll see it isn't mushroom-cloud threatening ... though you can produce a volcano with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNSandSCENTS Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 Scented, thanks so much. I think my fear of the lye is just based on my incident with the house fire I was in. Lye in very cold water, very slowly....I think I can remember that. I am going to at least scent the first batch but I still am on the hunt for lye. ACE only has Rooto and not Roebic so I need to order mine, once again. But I am having so much fun with the other b&b stuff I am working on, I'll get to it. Thanks again for the encouragement. And I will have to post pics of my first batch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissMary Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 RNS - coming from a person who stood where you are just 6 months ago, the lovely ladies here (and a few gentlemen ) convinced me, that while it CAN be dangerous, I was afraid of nothing really, IF, and this is a big IF to follow - I followed all the proper precautions and did not soap around children or animals.Since then, I haven't found a success with a recipe yet, but I've made around 15 batches. Some good, some horrid - but nothing yet quite like what I am looking for.Just remember 3 things - goggles, gloves and hair net. The hair net is dual - keeps your hair out of soap, but also keeps your hair out of your face from accidentally wanting to brush it back with gloved hands that may have a bit of lye.You'll do fine - I did and it was thanks to everyone here.BTW, funny but true, I started on M&P and said I would never do CP. Here I am! Curiousity got the best of me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNSandSCENTS Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 Miss Mary can you tell me what kind of lye you are using NaOH or KOH? Just curious. I can get Rooto brand fairly easy but I am a bit hesitant because of the things I have read here about this particular brand making batches more unpredictable. I just wish I could find a supplier closer than TX.....shipping, shipping, I am so tired of paying for shipping! But at the same time, there aren't a lot of suppliers close to me, heck, we only have 3 suppliers in MD and they don't really carry much and the one who carries Shea is a bit expensive....$38 for 3 #s.....yikes! Yes the ladies have been really encourgaing and the pics...OMG....I have got to learn to do this. I almost want to jump on a plane and just watch Grumpy & Soapfreak! Unbelieveable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissMary Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 NaOH and I use what the others have recommended which was Roebic from Lowe's. But my batches are no more predictable than anything it else is seems right now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNSandSCENTS Posted October 24, 2008 Author Share Posted October 24, 2008 I think I will probably get mine from The Chemistry Store they have both types. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between NaOH and KOH? I have been reading, reading, reading and can only see that NaOH is bead form and KOH is flake form. And I think I read that NaOH is 100% and KOH is 90%. I think one forum said something about KOH being a little easier to keep your batches from being lye heavy....that sounds a little weird to me. So I guess my question is really what is the difference, and, should I get it from a place like The Chemistry Store or AAA, or would Rooto give me the same results? Did any of that make any sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jurnalynn Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 i had my lye sitting for weeks before i dared touch it i was afraid of it but i found out its not so bad..........lolLaura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissMary Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 I think I will probably get mine from The Chemistry Store they have both types. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between NaOH and KOH? I have been reading, reading, reading and can only see that NaOH is bead form and KOH is flake form. And I think I read that NaOH is 100% and KOH is 90%. I think one forum said something about KOH being a little easier to keep your batches from being lye heavy....that sounds a little weird to me. So I guess my question is really what is the difference, and, should I get it from a place like The Chemistry Store or AAA, or would Rooto give me the same results? Did any of that make any sense?Simplest way explained to me once on this board was - NaOH is best for bars of soap.KOH is best for liquid soap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soycrazy Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 It has to say 100% sodium hydroxide on the bottle. Lowes doesn't carry it in my area so I buy the rooto from a hardware store and it works fine for my bar soap. Chemistry store is pretty pricey though if you can't get it at lowes or a hardware store salt city soap works is pretty cheap https://www.saltcitysoapworks.com/store/store.php?crn=216&rn=382&action=show_detail or true value http://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-52713/LB%2C-Rooto-No.-4/Detail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNSandSCENTS Posted October 24, 2008 Author Share Posted October 24, 2008 Simplest way explained to me once on this board was - NaOH is best for bars of soap.KOH is best for liquid soap.I read this last night in an old post. Thanks a bunch!It has to say 100% sodium hydroxide on the bottle. Lowes doesn't carry it in my area so I buy the rooto from a hardware store and it works fine for my bar soap. Chemistry store is pretty pricey though if you can't get it at lowes or a hardware store salt city soap works is pretty cheap https://www.saltcitysoapworks.com/store/store.php?crn=216&rn=382&action=show_detail or true value http://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-52713/LB%2C-Rooto-No.-4/DetailSoycrazy....thanks so much for the link! I can buy Rooto at the hardware store and I think I may give it a shot and if it give me problems I will order from Salt City as they are only in NY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soycrazy Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Soycrazy....thanks so much for the link! I can buy Rooto at the hardware store and I think I may give it a shot and if it give me problems I will order from Salt City as they are only in NY.No problem I actually like the rooto brand much better than the stuff from lowes it's much fresher I notice I get more gel which is great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNSandSCENTS Posted October 25, 2008 Author Share Posted October 25, 2008 Soycrazy, ya know what? I'm in an experimental kinda mode right now....not sure how long its gonna last but....think I may just give it a try! What the heck let's see what happens! Now if I can just get that mold I am tryin' to order....I'd be good to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soycrazy Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Oh you will be so hooked once you start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNSandSCENTS Posted October 25, 2008 Author Share Posted October 25, 2008 Oh you will be so hooked once you start Now that's the part I am afraid of!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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