No, melt and pour soap does not involve a hot process. Melt and pour soap is a form of cold process soap making where pre-made soap blocks are heated in a container, melted down, and then poured into a mold or container to harden.
Cold process soap is a combination of various fats and oils combined with liquid and usually lye (sodium hydroxide) to create a chemical reaction that creates soap. The process of making hot process soap is different in that the fats and lyes are cooked together in order to cause the chemical reaction and saponification process that make the soap.
Hot process soap often requires additional heat during the curing process, whereas cold process soap only requires the natural energy of the reaction to saponify the soap.
What is a hot process soap making?
Hot process soap making is a method of making handmade soap by heating lye and oil together. The purpose of hot process soap is to speed up the saponification process and make the soap harder and longer lasting.
The soap is heated to around 180°F and cooked with an emulsifier, which helps the soap to interact with water more quickly and to create a better lather. There are two main methods of hot process- Crockpot and oven cook- and they both involve simmering the soap in an emollient and lye solution.
One of the benefits of hot process soap is that it’s ready to use as soon as it cools and can be made in large batches quickly. The downside to hot process soap is that, since it cures quickly, it doesn’t have as much time to saponify and achieve a high, stable PH level.
Does hot process soap need to cure?
Yes, hot process soap does need to cure. The curing process serves two main purposes in hot process soap making. Firstly, it helps the soap reach its full level of hardness and lose its excess water.
Rather than letting the soap sit for weeks with no contact, the curing process allows the soap to harden and last longer. Secondly, during the curing process, the chemical reaction between the lye and the fat used in the soap continues.
It is during this process that glycerin, a gentle byproduct of soap making, is produced. This offers a much gentler and moisturizing bar of soap than other processes. The curing time for most hot process soaps is typically around four weeks, but this can vary depending on the recipe and mold used.
Cure your soap in an area with good air circulation, away from direct sunlight and humidity.
Is melt and pour soap considered handmade?
Melt and pour soap is a type of handmade soap. This method of soapmaking involves purchasing a pre-made soap base, which is typically made with natural ingredients, and melting it down in a double-boiler.
After the soap base is completely melted, fragrance and other desired ingredients can be added and it can be poured into molds. Then, the soap is allowed to cool and harden before it is removed from the mold.
Because the soapmaker is using natural ingredients and pouring and sculpting the soap themselves, it is considered handmade and is often labeled as “handcrafted. ” Some of the benefits of melt and pour soap is that it is a great introduction to soapmaking and doesn’t require any special equipment.
It also takes little time, unlike cold or hot process soapmaking, and can be customized with colorants and fragrances. While melt and pour soap is a great way to make homemade, natural soap, it can be a more costly option and lack the qualities of soaps made from scratch with lye.
How many times can you remelt melt and pour soap?
You can remelt melt and pour soap as many times as you need! Melt and pour soap is much easier to work with than cold process soap, making it a great choice for beginning soapers. It’s also incredibly forgiving, so even with multiple remelting attempts, your soap will still turn out with a beautiful texture and color.
On top of that, its easy clean up allows you to reuse your soap molds and other tools so you can remelt the same batch of soap multiple times. Be sure to work with temperatures recommended by the soap base manufacturer for the best results.
How long does melt and pour soap take to cure?
Melt and pour soap usually takes approximately 24 hours to cure. This timeframe is only a guideline though, as the curing process will depend on the specific recipe you create. Thick bars of soap may require up to twice as long to cure.
For the best results, the curing conditions should be kept consistent and at room temperature. Additionally, the soap should be kept in an airtight container to prevent it from hardening too quickly.
Additionally, allowing the soap to rest and cure for longer than 24 hours can enhance the hardness of the cured soap.
Can you use a cold process soap recipe for hot process?
Generally, no.
hot process soap is made by mixing oils and sodium hydroxide lye together, then cooking the mixture until it saponifies (turns into soap). This soap is ready to use as soon as it cools.
Cold process soap is made by mixing oils and sodium hydroxide lye together, then letting the mixture sit until it saponifies (turns into soap). This soap needs to “cure” for 4-6 weeks before it’s ready to use.
The main difference between hot process and cold process soap is that hot process soap is cooked, while cold process soap is not. This difference can affect your soap in a few different ways.
Hot process soap is ready to use as soon as it cools, while cold process soap needs to “cure” for 4-6 weeks before it’s ready to use.
Hot process soap tends to be more oily, while cold process soap tends to be more dry.
Hot process soap usually has a more “rustic” look, while cold process soap usually has a more polished look.
Does melt and pour soap have lye in it?
No, melt and pour soap does not have lye in it. This type of soap-making is the simplest and most convenient way to make soap. All you need is a pre-made soap base that you can easily purchase at most craft stores or online.
Or you can even make your own soap base. This type of soap base has already undergone saponification and the lye has already been neutralized, so using melt and pour soap eliminates the need for adding lye to your soap.
You simply melt the soap base, add your desired scents and colors, and pour it into molds to cool. Once it has hardened, you can remove it and cut it into bars.
What temperature do you add fragrance to hot process soap?
When adding fragrance to hot process soap, you want to add it at a temperature of around 180 – 190 degrees Fahrenheit (82 – 88 C). The goal is to avoid boiling temperatures that may degrade or scorch your fragrance.
Before beginning to add fragrances, you also want to ensure that all of the soap’s reaction is complete and the mixture has thickened and cooled slightly. This will minimize any scalding that could occur when pouring the liquid in.
Once the soap is ready, slowly add your fragrance in small batches and ensure the temperature is maintained throughout the addition. Once the fragrance is fully incorporated, you can move forward with the molding and cutting of your product.
How much water should I use in soap making?
The amount of water used to make soap will depend on several factors, such as the type of soap you’re making and the recipe you’re using. Generally, the basic rule for the amount of water when making soap is that no more than 45% of the soap’s weight should be water.
This means that, for example, if your recipe requires 300 grams of the soap’s base oils, the water should never exceed 135 grams. When starting out with soap making, it’s best to use the lower end of the percentages until you’re familiar with the process.
Keep in mind, though, that the amount of water you use in soap making affects not only the texture of the finished product, but also the rate at which it saponifies (or turns to soap). If you use too much water, the soap will probably become too soft and may saponify at a much slower rate, leading to a weak, soft bar.
Too little water, on the other hand, can mean that the soap takes a longer time to saponify than desired, resulting in an overly hard and brittle bar.
For more specific information and tips, it’s best to research the particular type of soap that you’re making and the recipe that you’re using. Every recipe will require a different amount of water and you may need to do some experimentation of your own to find the right balance.
