| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| woolgirl |
Posted - Jul 12 2011 : 12:55:35 PM
Does anybody have a preference one way or the other? I just don't know. I am trying to get over the intimidation of working with lye.
Liz
Farmgirl #1947
www.militaryfarmgirl.blogspot.com |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| peafarm |
Posted - Jul 22 2011 : 10:06:34 PM
I buy my lye from Runnings farm store or Ace Hardware store.
I've bought coconut oil from super Walmart. It seems that all the local grocery stores were carrying organic coconut oil ($$$), but Walmart also carried a brand in the aisle with the regular oils that was reasonable and a lifesaver.
Can't help you with the tallow, but I will say I have pork lard in the freezer that I am going to try rendering. I don't seem to be I any hurry for that tho;)
Penny
www.444Farm.com |
| Cabin Dreamer |
Posted - Jul 22 2011 : 6:33:06 PM
Thanks for the suggestion Sharon. There are a couple butchers in my area, can't hurt to ask right? It might be worth rendering beef fat to get the amount I need for a batch of soap.
Farmgirl #1954 |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - Jul 22 2011 : 05:50:12 AM
My husband and I just started making soap. We make the Hot Process and really like it. We have found that it does get used up quicker than Cold Process unless we let it cure too. I love how it can be used right away and to be able to have it on hand to give as gifts no matter how 'old' the soap is. The longer you let the Hot Process soap sit, the harder and firmer the bars become and they will last longer and lather better. (our experience anyway :))
Oh, and we also found that instead of the 2 ounces of fragrance or essential oil that was required in the recipe we use, we can get away with using 1/2 an ounce to an ounce for a really nice scent (not too overpowering)
Brenda,
We purchase lye from our local True Value store. It's where the plumbing and drain cleaners are. We get Red Devil brand. I wish I knew of a place that sold lye in bulk. We were thinking about asking the butcher for some beef fat to render for tallow. Just an idea :)
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
| Cabin Dreamer |
Posted - Jul 22 2011 : 03:24:56 AM
I made my first batch of cold press soap in a class in February. My supply is getting very low now. I need to find the supplies to make a new batch. I have tons of essential oils, but the lye,coconut oil and tallow seem to be hard to find. Perhaps I am not looking in the right places. I have searched some online but a lot of the websites had big containers of these ingredients. Does anyone know the shelf life of tallow and coconut oil once a container has been opened? I could order the bulk sizes, but I am afraid it would spoil before I could use it up. Any suggestions?
Farmgirl #1954 |
| walkinwalkoutcattle |
Posted - Jul 21 2011 : 1:35:31 PM
I am so excited about learning how to make soap! Our local extension office is offering a cold-process class. :)
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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| peafarm |
Posted - Jul 20 2011 : 8:50:07 PM
Perennially behind, I often use CPOP and am happy with the results. And I do use goat's milk <gasp!> I just make sure that my fragrance oils all have a flashpoint above ~180 so the scent sticks around (which I guess would also be the case in HP, I just hadn't thought of that yet). I do still try and let it cure two weeks to increase hardeness. And sometimes I just can't wait and use it just a day or two after unmolding.
I believe www.summerbeemeadow.com has a lye calculator that also lets you resize the recipe to your mold size so for all those large CP recipes that may help.
Penny
www.444Farm.com |
| woolgirl |
Posted - Jul 16 2011 : 05:27:58 AM
That's what I was kind of thinking, most all the cold process recipes I have make HUGE batches. I like the look and feel of cold process better though, so I just can't decide! I live in a really small house too and don't know where I could let my soaps cure with cold process. It's very sad!
Liz
Farmgirl #1947
www.militaryfarmgirl.blogspot.com |
| herbquilter |
Posted - Jul 15 2011 : 11:54:01 PM
For small batches I would make hot process.
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many, Herbalist, Master Energy Intuitive
http://herbalmommasda.blogspot.com/
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| woolgirl |
Posted - Jul 13 2011 : 10:40:44 AM
If you were to just do small batches though which would you prefer? I am pretty much just making it for myself and maybe for a few gifts, but I won't have too much to make.
Liz
Farmgirl #1947
www.militaryfarmgirl.blogspot.com |
| herbquilter |
Posted - Jul 12 2011 : 4:00:47 PM
I make both and teach both, but I like cold processed over hot any day. Yes, it does take more patience, but the bars are harder and will last alot longer. The only advantage to hot that I have found; if you are making a small batch with more expensive essential oils, you will use less EO than if you were making cold. Other than that I LOVE cold process. We make it in the fall so the bars are ready for gifts and then we have enough for our family for the rest of the year. BIG batches :)
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many, Herbalist, Master Energy Intuitive
http://herbalmommasda.blogspot.com/
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