Teach Soap

The last 2 batches of soap I made have ended up with huge cracks right down the middle. I soaped at lower temps than I usually do as well. What is causing this and how do I fix it? Do certain oils do this? If my batch does split down the middle do I rematch it and when? I'm totally lost

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Flowers that grow beside each other still bloom.

Kellie Sasser
www.facebook.com/dirtyluxems

Your soap overheated. Some fragrances can do that. Keep good notes and next time you make it, put the soap in the fridge or the freezer. Slight overheating is ok. There is no need to rebatch, unless it starts oozing or you end up with lye pockets inside.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

That's what I figured. Ugh. I did try to rush it to the freezer after the cracks developed but I consider it a failed batch. It is the ugliest soap I've ever made with horrible discoloration. I've never rematches before, if I do will the color even out? I'm getting ready for a craft fair and I need this 5lbs of soap but if it's going to look awful I can't sell it

_________________
Flowers that grow beside each other still bloom.

Kellie Sasser
www.facebook.com/dirtyluxems

Do you gel? In my experience, gel starts in the middle of the soap, and a crack can form on the top. If the whole loaf gels, then it becomes very liquid again, and the crack closes up. Another option (if you don't have a pretty swirl you want to preserve), is to give it a quick stir to release some heat and close the crack. I put my soap in a gently-warmed oven, so gel tends to happen more evenly.

To be honest I didn't know "not gelling" was an option. Thought all soaps went through gel phase. Oops

_________________
Flowers that grow beside each other still bloom.

Kellie Sasser
www.facebook.com/dirtyluxems

I am one of those that prefers not to gel.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

I don't have space in my fridge for a batch of soap, so if I don't want to gel, I use individual molds. Another option might be a cooler and some ice.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Do you place it in the fridge/freezer as soon as it's pored in the mold ?

_________________
Flowers that grow beside each other still bloom.

Kellie Sasser
www.facebook.com/dirtyluxems

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Interesting. Thank you so much for your input. That's why I have fallen in love with the craft of soap making, the possibilities and techniques are endless

_________________
Flowers that grow beside each other still bloom.

Kellie Sasser
www.facebook.com/dirtyluxems