[MR] Soap Making Thanks!

[Becky McEllistrem]

> 
> Stir in 2 more ounces of lye into little bit of
> water, pour into warmed up 
> semi-soap and stir, stir, stir.  Stir, stir, stir
> your soap, gently while 
> watching Dune....

You could cheat and use a stick mixers.  They're well
worth the $20.00 after all that stirring.  Just
remember:  short gentle bursts.  Longterm bursts
result in air holes...  Course with a classroom full
of kids at a camp you could start the stirring and let
the adults with them take turns.

 
> Add 40 or so (probably overkill) 

Not really for a large batch of soap but don't ever
worry about too much oil.  The scents always mellow
out over time.


> Pour soap into wax paper lined 8x8 brownie pan.  

Or those cheap heavy rubbermaid containers.  If it
doesn't pop out of theplastic containers you can
freeze it and pop it out of the mold.


> 
> YEAH!!  (Those of you who helped out get to take
> credit for the end 
> results.)
> 

Not a great way to learn but a VERY good batch for
your first try.  I reshaved my first three down to
laundry soap.


> However, as successful as this experiment was, I
> recommend that beginning 
> soap makers not use the Anarra Method of Soap Making
> (patent pending).  

Why not?  Everybody else did! <G>

> 
> I did learn that one CAN add more lye late in the
> process (at uneven 
> temperatures, no less) and still get some nice soap.
>  Or at least solid, 
> lavendar-smelling soap.  

I've gone as low as room temperature and still gotten
soap but I'm told later I was lucky.  Some soapers
premix the lye solution the night before and then use
it at 70 degrees but I haven't tried this.


Congrats and you're welcome.  You're now a soaper!

Rebecca

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