| Author | Content |
winnietn
Celina, TN
(Zone 6b)
March 30, 2007
04:51 AM Post #3335844
| Any suggestions or links on crockpot soapmaking would be very helpful for this newbie.
Thanks
Winni |
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
April 02, 2007
11:22 AM Post #3347585
| http://www.candletech.com/hpsoap/index.htm
I like this one!
I may try it today. I've also seen a double boiler technique. I've always done cold-process soap. Let me know how it works out for you and I'll do the same. |
winnietn
Celina, TN
(Zone 6b)
April 03, 2007
06:42 AM Post #3350528
| Thanks renwings, I like that site better than the others I've checked so far. The pics help a lot. Will post pics when I try this recipe.
Winni |
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
April 06, 2007
03:15 PM Post #3362995
| IT TURNED OUT AWESOME! I am never doing it the other way again!
The CrockPot is so CLEAN now.
Just a note, depending on the far you use and the ratio of water you use, the pics may not look like hers. I never had seperation happen. It just got all poofy, and I only had to stir it down once. I add the bare minimum of water and use lard. I used silicon molds and never had a problem with the soap sticking. Muffin type mold and a load mold for bars I'll slice up. |
winnietn
Celina, TN
(Zone 6b)
April 06, 2007
03:35 PM Post #3363045
| It's been spring break this week and the house has been full of kids. Hopefully I can try it next week after I rest up. My daughter gave me a huge Crock to use. Will post how it turns out. |
winnietn
Celina, TN
(Zone 6b)
April 08, 2007
03:12 AM Post #3367724
| Well here it is... My first batch from the crock pot.. Could'nt wait to see what it looked like this morning. I am very proud of this. Now to the shaving, trimming of the bars. I might try another batch today. Thanks again for the great link Renwings.
Winni |
winnietn
Celina, TN
(Zone 6b)
April 08, 2007
03:14 AM Post #3367725
| Can't you tell I'm excited .I forgot my picture.LOL 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
April 09, 2007
08:26 AM Post #3371640
| You can tell I was so excited too! I couldn't spell anything right in my post!
I made 6 lbs of soap in one afternoon and took it to the family gathering for easter. I made pretty light green bars and wrapped them up in pretty tissue paper. It was so cool to have finished soap in an afternoon.
I couldn't find any info on this a year ago and it just seems like recently this posts have popped up and all by people who make soap to sell who want to share their success with others.
With this kind of a process, it is much more feasible to make soap to sell.
What did you use for fragrance? |
winnietn
Celina, TN
(Zone 6b)
April 10, 2007
07:57 AM Post #3375544
| I just went and checked on it and it still smells good enough to eat as my 11 year old granddaughter said. I used orange sherbet EO. I Love the crock pot method :] no waiting weeks to use it. I wonder how long it should dry? I would like to put mine in ziploc bags as soon as I can. I went to the library and check out all their soap books [a big total of 4] Two of them are on M&P soaps.
I am going to try a smaller recipe from 4 to 6 bars so I can experiment and have some fun learning.
Winni |
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
April 11, 2007
04:10 PM Post #3380912
| Mine has been drying now for a few days and it is quite hard, but I've already been using a bar in the shower.
I tried an olive oil recipe, and that is taking a while to set up. Not sure why.
|
winnietn
Celina, TN
(Zone 6b)
April 13, 2007
03:45 AM Post #3385767
| I tried to do a smaller batch and it did'nt turn out so well. I then did a large batch using differeent oils. Like your it's taking a long time to set up. I have to get more lye before trying any more. |
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
April 16, 2007
04:21 PM Post #3399320
| I read on a website for HP soap, that it may still take a couple weeks to set up well. I turned that batch into shampoo, so now it doesn't matter if it won't set up. It's still soap! |
muleyaz
Scottsdale, AZ
April 16, 2007
09:06 PM Post #3400312
| I've made a few batches of soap in the crock pot. While I love the idea of having the soap ready to go, I don't like the texture as much as soap that is done the old fashioned way. It doesn't seem as smooth as soap that is allowed to cure.
There is a really great book that shows you how to hot process soap. It also has a bunch of really good recipes that you can use with or without a crock pot. The title of the book is:
Handcrafted Soap, Make it today, use it tonight.
isbn # 1-58180-268-4 |
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
April 17, 2007
02:07 PM Post #3402338
| Your right, the texture is a little bit rougher than the CP soap I've done.
I don't think I mind it though. I think I'll keep experimenting with it. I guess it depends on your preference.
I've tried not cooking so much of the water out of it, and it seems to help with the texture, but then the bars take much longer to cure and warp a bit.
I'm not very patient and it is extremely satisfying to me to have it done and be able to enjoy it! I peek at the CP soap too much when your supposed to leave it alone! |
winnietn
Celina, TN
(Zone 6b)
April 17, 2007
02:57 PM Post #3402475
| Hi Muleyaz,
Right now I will stick with the crock till I get my nerve up to try it on the stove. I also need to get me a big pot.Thanks for the info on the book. I googled but could'nt find it, maybe I can get a copy sometime.
Renwings,
I am getting better at it as I go along with the crock. Shampoo? [have'nt read up on that yet] Maybe sometime soon after I get better at the soap. I checked the huckleberry sage today and it's looking and feeling better. I will trim it tomorrow and let it dry for another week.
Winni |
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
April 17, 2007
04:51 PM Post #3402862
| Making shampoo, laundry detergent and dish soap type soaps are really easy!
I LOVE my olive oil shampoo.
I've totally turned into a soap snob now.
I just grate the soap down into shavings. I also use the trimmings from shaping the bars! Then I add boiling water to the shavings and let them sit for 24 hours
For a thick gel I would add 2 parts water to 1 part soap.
For a thin gel I would add 4 parts water to 1 part soap.
I add borax for laundry soap and rosemary tea for the shampoo. I've heard good things about nettles in shampoo too. When I'm weeding this summer, I'll have to save some. |
MzzPool
Pass Christian, MS
(Zone 8b)
April 18, 2007
05:18 PM Post #3406608
| Hi! Here's a link to the Amazon where you can purchase the book mentioned above. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1581802684/ref=reg_hu-wl_it...
I haven't made any soap yet, but am planting some loofa seeds shortly and would like to make soap to go with the loofas in a gift bag or basket. |
MzzPool
Pass Christian, MS
(Zone 8b)
April 18, 2007
05:19 PM Post #3406614
| Has anyone used honeysuckle to scent soap? If so, how did you use it? Did you dry it, crush it up?
Thanks,
Megin |
winnietn
Celina, TN
(Zone 6b)
April 18, 2007
07:52 PM Post #3407087
| Renwings,
Well now I will just have to try to make some shampoo now. I guess I'm turning into a soap snob too.LOL I just got my order of lye and made a batch of goatmilk, honey a oatmeal. [ground up in blender] I added cloves to cover the smell of the evaporated goat milk a little. It turned out pretty and so smooth looking.
Hi MizzPool,
Thanks for the info on the book. I might get me one someday. Right now I have some checked out of the library and they are a lot cheaper.LOL I check them out and take notes and copy down recipes and all the other info I can find in them That I think I might use someday.
I love the smell of honeysuckle, I think I saw somewhere where you can get the Honeysuckle essential oil. As for how to make it from the plant I don't know. I remember as kids we would fid a bunch of yellow honeysuckle vines and sit and tear them apart to get the littl dab of sweetness from the. Speaking Of that I have them surrounding my whole lot nearly. We even have a few of the red ones. So if you learn how to make them work for soap please let me know
|
MzzPool
Pass Christian, MS
(Zone 8b)
April 19, 2007
05:30 AM Post #3407834
| Winnietn:
Where did you get your lye? Is powdered goat milk less smelly than the liquid milk?
Thanks!
Megin |
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
April 19, 2007
07:39 AM Post #3408238
| I've seen crafters who rest loofa slices in a mold and pour soap in around it. I wonder how well it works in the shower, looks pretty interesting.
I made a bar that I'm calling the Seaweed bar. I made a tea of dried Jasmine flours and green tea and added powdered kelp at the trace stage. Maybe you can dry honeysuckle flowers and see if they still smell wonderful when they've been infused in hot water. EO are expensive. I reserve them really good recipes and special occasions.
You'll have to scour your local hardware stores to find lye. At my local, the store only puts one out at a time. I have to ask if there is none. They may do a song and dance about their policy, but if you explain to the head honcho your situation, offer to show photo ID and maybe bring some soap when you come, they might be more understand and flexible. You can buy it from chemical supply places. Sodium Hydroxide, technical grade. You can order it online from some places, not all, since shipping is tricky.
Where you find it, buy a whole bunch. It may be a while before you find more. |
winnietn
Celina, TN
(Zone 6b)
April 23, 2007
03:11 AM Post #3420582
| I sowed some Luffa seeds in my GH. The cold spell we had got nearly all my seedlings. I noticed yesterday I still have three. Hopefully I will get a gourd or two from them. I get my lye and oils off ebay.
I found me a big pot but I am afraid to use the stove. I have RA and I can be pretty clumsy at times. With the crock I sit it in the sink and it's more my level and don't worry about burning myself.
I don't know about the dried honeysuckle still having a scent but Bee Balm and licorice anise and marigolds stills smells great after three years in my seed bags.
I got three bottles of avon SSS at a yard sale a few weeks back. Wonder how a few drops of that would work in soap?
|
MzzPool
Pass Christian, MS
(Zone 8b)
April 23, 2007
07:10 AM Post #3421294
| I wanted to share this link.
http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/coldprocesssoapmaking/a/ly...
I made an order with Bitter Creek which should arrive some time this week. It was pretty easy to order after completing their form.
Megin |
lil_beans
Montgomery, AL
May 06, 2007
01:30 PM Post #3469353
| I would like to try making soaps/fragrant soaps/candles. I was thinking gift baskets fro birthdays/x-mas/friends/matbe even get well baskets. Does anyone have any ideas or helpful hints? (easy, just a beginner)! LOL!
Thanks
lil_beans |
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
May 07, 2007
07:20 AM Post #3471908
| Best thing you can do is go buy a good soap making book. It's kind of a trial and error thing till you get the hang of it. I made many failed batches before I made my first beautiful soaps! What a thrill! |
lil_beans
Montgomery, AL
May 07, 2007
12:15 PM Post #3472882
| Ren
Can you recommend any particular book to buy? |
MzzPool
Pass Christian, MS
(Zone 8b)
May 07, 2007
04:19 PM Post #3473641
| My honey gave me an awesome book for my birthday. "Handcrafted Soap" by Delores Boone. He found it on Amazon.com. It looks like a book a local book store like Barnes & Noble would definitely have. |
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
May 07, 2007
10:57 PM Post #3474852
| The Complete Soapmaker is another good one. |
mountain_hooger
Morganton, NC
August 23, 2008
09:00 AM Post #5456246
| Hi, I'm totally new at soap-making and I have a question. When the recipe calls for 'lard' are they using real lard or solid shortening? When I say new, I mean green as a cucumber but I am very interested in the soap-making idea and I'm just reading and trying to learn all I can before I make a big mess and waste a bunch of money and time. |
winnietn
Celina, TN
(Zone 6b)
August 24, 2008
08:10 AM Post #5460361
| I get 4lb lard from Save-a-lot and walmart.
Winni |
yardqueen1948
Emory, TX
(Zone 8a)
September 11, 2008
11:47 PM Post #5541219
| Hi! I have never made soap either, but my daughter does! I am interested in that crock pot method. How long does it take to cure? |
winnietn
Celina, TN
(Zone 6b)
September 18, 2008
01:21 PM Post #5568395
| You can use it the next day but it lasts longer if you let it dry for a few weeks.
Winni |
soaper1218
Gulf Breeze, FL
October 21, 2008
01:45 PM Post #5699772
| I only use a crockpot when rebatching soap. I have not found it necessary to get standard CP soap hotter than what the lye gets it. In other words the lye provides all the heat that I need. I make my soaps in a blender mostly.
Steve
Soap Recipes
http://www.colebrothers.com/articles/soap.html |
denimangle
Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX
(Zone 8b)
April 12, 2009
09:58 PM Post #6401519
| BUMP
winnietn,
I was wondering if you ever got to make your luffa soap.
Your old post sounds like what im doing or tring to do this year ..
Im finding so many fun ways to make soap
Cheryl
|
MsBrenda
Birnamwood, WI
July 30, 2009
11:02 AM Post #6884619
| I make soap with my crock pot and love it. I have a tutorial posted on my web site http://www.msbrenda.com
I will be posting more recipes very soon. Any questions feel free to contact me.
Brenda |
