dark circle in the center of cp soap

[venus78]

Hi everyone,

I made a batch of carrot honey chamomile soap yesterday, put it in the fridge for about 12 hrs and cut

it about 4-5 hrs after I took it out of the fridge. It was fine when I cut it, but after a couple of hours I noticed

that the center of bars had gotten darker. It must have gone through partial gel phase. I've attached a photo.

I used fresh orange juice and 1.5 tbs raw diluted honey and added it at light trace.

It happens sometimes with my carrot honey chamomile soap and sometimes it doesn't.

Is it because I cut it too late? Can you please help me to avoid it next time, I'm always nervous when I make

this batch and afraid of these dark circles :?

Thanks,

Venus

[CareBear]

it's called a partial gel, and it's purely cosmetic - the soap is fine.

there are 2 ways to avoid it

- insulate better to ensure full gel

- insulate less/cool down to prevent any gel

finding precisely what you need to do varies with the recipe, your mold, your technique, and your environment.

[venus78]

I'm afraid if I insulate better volcano reaction happens due to the use of honey. when I put it in the fridge I though I already prevented gelling. should I leave it longer in the fridge to prevent gel?

[ChrisR]

I don't gell any of my goat's milk CP's and put them in the freezer, not the fridge.

[venus78]

I don't gell any of my goat's milk CP's and put them in the freezer, not the fridge.

How long do you leave it in the freezer Chris? and how long after that do you cut it?

Edited August 13, 2010 by venus78

[CareBear]

I'm afraid if I insulate better volcano reaction happens due to the use of honey. when I put it in the fridge I though I already prevented gelling. should I leave it longer in the fridge to prevent gel?

ah - OK then start with chilling your mold before you fill it, and perhaps soap with your oils and lard a little cooler.

[Kitn]

Add your honey to the lye water, it will not volcano or overheat even, I forget where I saw this tip but it sure does work.

You can also chill your mold with freezer paks and leave the mold sitting on them to prevent gel, I have better luck preventing gel with freezer paks, than when I put the soap in the fridge or freezer.

[ChrisR]

How long do you leave it in the freezer Chris? and how long after that do you cut it?

I've left it in the freezer as long as over nite (24+ hrs). I usually take it out of the freezer, take it out of my log mold and let it set on the counter an hour or so before I cut it. Works for me!!

[CareBear]

I haven't found the freezer much help, nor the fridge, really.

I can't help gelling milk soaps. After 2 days in the freezer and another 3 on the floor in a cold winter garage, mine gelled once I brought them into the house to cut. When it happened the second time I gave up trying to prevent gel in any soap with milk or pumpkin or other sugar-laden additive.

[ChrisR]

I haven't found the freezer much help, nor the fridge, really.

I can't help gelling milk soaps. After 2 days in the freezer and another 3 on the floor in a cold winter garage, mine gelled once I brought them into the house to cut. When it happened the second time I gave up trying to prevent gel in any soap with milk or pumpkin or other sugar-laden additive.

Strange Carol, all my soaps are goat's milk with sugar added and I've never had that happen. It's amazing how we sometimes use the same methods and get such totally different results. I love the challenge LOL!!

[CareBear]

Strange Carol, all my soaps are goat's milk with sugar added and I've never had that happen. It's amazing how we sometimes use the same methods and get such totally different results. I love the challenge LOL!!

Strange indeed! And OH so frustrating! I am easily annoyed, so this particular challenge has gone unmet in my life LOL.

[Kitn]

Isn't that the truth , the very same recipe will work out differently for us. Makes you wonder about all the variables, that influence what the soap does.