Formula No.3

I used a superfat of 2.5% to get this a little harder. Not sure if that did anything

This came to trace really fast. Like under a minute. I don’t think I let the lye solution cool down enough. It was about 120° – 125° before I poured it into the room temp oil so a big temp differential. Hope it gels nicely just for the sake of seeing molten soaping stuff

To misquote “My cousin Vinny” does your castile soap come to trace faster than the entire castile making world 🤣

I usually mix the lye first and then measure and melt the oils. The oils and lye are usually within 10° of each other. This time I only had to measure the olive oil. So after measuring it, I set a timer for 15 minutes. Still wasn’t enough.

Next time I make this batch I will heat the oil a little before mixing

A note about Lye. It is a dangerous substance that, for a good reason, every soap-making website will put up caution flags and I’m going to, too. When using lye, always use eye protection and gloves and long sleeves. If you have small children or nosey dogs lock them out of whatever room you are working in. And make sure it’s ventilated. I usually mix it outside on my deck or on the stovetop with the fan on high.

Don’t know what happened here. Maybe I had a false trace. Maybe it only partially gelled. Who knows

Loaf gel watching

Gel starting I think no real evidence but its getting hotter.

I usually cover my loafs in cellophane to keep the heat in and stop the towels from touching the soap. That was more if a problem when i filled the loaf mold to the top.

This time I used the wooden covers that came with the molds. We’ll see if that changes anything.