pookshollow
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Registered: 04-2005
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 242
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Re: Soap
Well, the workshop was fun (demonstration - we didn't actually get to make our own). It certainly doesn't look that difficult - just safety precautions to follow. Met some nice people, spent some money on supplies.
Now I just have to decide what kind of soap to make for my first batch! 
---
Half Caper Farm
Saanens, Boers, Nigerian Dwarfs
Harlequin and Lionhead Rabbits
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2/15/2009, 4:27 pm
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TexasMadness
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Location: Austin, Texas
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Re: Soap
Sounds good! Does it take long to make? I know you have to let it cure for awhile, but the actually "cooking" part - how long is that?
Let us know what you make...and send some to Corbin...sounds like he needs it!
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2/16/2009, 6:26 pm
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Saijen SilverWolf
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Location: Upper North East Tennessee
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Re: Soap
Corbin, you crusty nut! Take a bath, I'm sure pooks will send you some soap!!
Pooks, sounds like it was a good time. I can't wait to see what you come up with. And, I'll ditto Texas' questions.
--- Blessed Be,
~*~ Saijen ~*~
~~*~~  .~~*~~ |
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2/16/2009, 6:56 pm
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pookshollow
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Registered: 04-2005
Location: SW Ontario
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Re: Soap
It doesn't take long at all. The actual workshop was two hours but a lot of that was talking. Probably an hour or so tops, with set-up.
You dissolve the lye in the water, set it aside to cool while you melt your fats/oils (she used the microwave). Mix them together until they form a "trace" (gets thick enough to leave trailings on the surface) and add your fragrances/colours/botanicals and pour into the mold. It has to cure for several weeks.
Yesterday I rendered down some beef suet - messy business! but it's free. 
---
Half Caper Farm
Saanens, Boers, Nigerian Dwarfs
Harlequin and Lionhead Rabbits
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2/16/2009, 11:23 pm
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berishell
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Registered: 11-2009
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Re: Soap
I have been making cp soap for a couple of years now. the most important thing with any soap recipe, is always run your list of fats/oils through a lye calculator to make sure you use the right amount of lye foryour batch.
http://www.thesage.com/calcs/lyecalc2.php
even if I am using the same recipe except changing botanicals or fo's or eo's, I still make a new recipe page in my soap book, and I still put everything into the lye calculator. if your soap is too lye heavy, you can't use it. i make mine with a combo of lard and tallow (one is pig fat, one is beef fat). pretty much the way grandma used to make, but my recipe can be changed for all vegitarian type oils.
I love making goats milk soap. I have hopefully 6 girls going to be fresh come spring. can't wait for fresh milk for cheese 
berishell
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11/26/2009, 3:18 pm
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heritage ranch
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Registered: 05-2009
Location: central colorado rockies
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Re: Soap
i have been wanting to do the soap thing for some time now. last year i even bought a can of lye. i also have plenty of fat in the freezer. just havent gotten around to the saponification yet
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11/26/2009, 11:24 pm
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