Avrilon Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Hi everyone, I have two questions that I hope you can help me with:I've recently started making some soaps with the irregular, bumpy looking tops because I think they look so pretty that way. How do you cover them with plastic wrap when they are lumpy like that - to avoid ash - without mooshing the nice peaks and swirly bumps? The tops are above the height of the soap mold. My husband added an extension to the mold cover so the soap is covered, but there is air in there, if that makes sense. My last batch has a lot of ash on the top and I'm wondering if that is why. Any thoughts or suggestions?I have some old soap cut into chunks that I want to add to a new batch at trace. Does the new batch have to be the same recipe as the chunks? Or can it be totally different?Thank you so much for any advice. You guys were right about soaping becoming addicting. I really didn't realize how creative it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carriegsxr6 Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 now that it is getting colder, I notice mine sometimes get ash as well. What I do is keep the mold in the oven (no heat) and keep it covered up a half day longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soycrazy Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I just recently started using press and seal instead of plastic wrap and it's a god send it seals the heat in much better and I don't get ash anymore It does seems like the slower you let it cool on it's own the more likely I won't get ash just like what carrie does. I do the textured tops too, but I make sure they don't go too high so I won't smoosh my pretty tops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndulgentCreations Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Have you tried spritzing with alcohol? That has worked for me As for the chunks...no it doesn't have to be the same recipe. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 I really didn't think there was a way of avoiding ash (i.e. it comes when it wants to), but I use a box lid and pile on the towels and have gotten a lot better and not peeking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avrilon Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 Thanks everyone - your replies are most helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socoolsoap Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Spritzing with alcohol seems to work for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kool12 Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Some of my soaps get ash, others don't, and i never cover any of them with plastic. Luckily the ash doesn't bother me or my customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debratant Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Do you spritz with alcohol after you pour the soap in the mold? Or do you wait til it hardens?I LOVE the press and seal...best kitchen invention yet LOL.Yep...use those chunks, doesn't matter if the recipe is different. In fact...I have some chunks and confetti from some M&P soap that I am going to put into my CP soap today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 I do am wondering about ash. I'm starting to hate oven method as that is the only time I ever get ash. With no gel in the fridge it never happens but sometimes I need to make soap quicker and use the oven method. I'll have to try the press and seal stuff. Usually I spritz alcohol after it comes out of the mold and then rub with paper towel and other times I shave off the ash on the beveller but then I have a smaller bar of soap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecandlespastore Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 Ash is something that will happen no matter what you try sometimes. I have just learned to love it:laugh2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jooniper Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 Have you tried spritzing with alcohol? That has worked for me As for the chunks...no it doesn't have to be the same recipe. HTHAt what point do you spritz?? I have used alcohol to "clean up the ash" but never to prevent it. I ALWAYS have ash...dammit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dagwood Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 One thing that I've noticed is that if my soaps gel too fast or get too hot, I get more ash. Some fragrances do this more than others. With fragrances that I know will move fast, I use a bit more water and make sure my oils & lye are cooler when I start. It's helped a bit. Other than that, nothing I do seems to prevent it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 For a time I thought perhaps my ingredients caused it - I thought when I used a higher amount of RBO I got it. But I've proven myself wrong. In fact, I've proven myself wrong with many of my theories for the cause of ash. I've given up. Sometimes it actually improves the look of my soap. Sometimes it does not so I wash it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidsngarden Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 My new shea recipe ashes something fierce, but I just can't get past how much I love the recipe so I have learned to just deal with ash...It even ashes on the cut parts!Embrace the ash, become one with the ash, get to know your ash... :laugh2: :laugh2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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