Oy! I See

The good and the bad.

Was it purely coincidental that I was experiencing the same problem with lye batch number three?  Like the two before, the temp only rose to 80 degrees after it was mixed so I tried batch number four and stirred it longer than three.  Same result.  My assistant and I tried a hot bath but to no avail. All frazzled out by now I finally called the place where I took the soapmaking class.  The guy was baffled as to why the lye did not reach its customary 200 degrees once stirred and mentioned that the thermometer might be faulty.  Um, since I had never used a thermometer before I did not know that it reads at room temperature right out of the package so I had calibrated it to zero!  Since I had monkeyed around with it there was nothing left to do but buy another one. Sadly my assistant had to leave at this point.

So, I run to the store to get a brand-spanking-new thermometer and was back in soapmaking business within 30 minutes.  With the lye at 102 degrees (based on an experienced soapmaker) it went into the pan of oils at same temp.  I carried the pot over to the sofa where I proceeded to stir the mixture on the coffee table for 90 minutes.  When the mixture resembling pancake batter traced (when a drizzle of batter from the spoon leaves a trail on top), I added two ounces of lavender essential oils.  After stirring for another minute the batter was poured into the soap mold where it will remain covered for 24-48 hours after which bars can be cut.  Three weeks after curing (when the lye has dissipated) it is ready and safe to use.

In retrospect, not having my assistant on hand once the new thermometer was in place forced me to do every step from that point on my own.  I think this was for the best because I had to use my own wits to get the job done, which I did.

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SOAPMAKER'S NOTES

Today's Recipe
Sodium Hydroxide (12 ounces)
Distilled water (32 ounces)
Coconut, olive, and palm kernel oils combined (5 pounds)
Pure lavender essential oils (2 ounces)

Deviance from Instructions
Lye and oils at 102 degrees
Did not remove pot from stove while mixing in lye
Did not scrape sides of pan until almost traced
Scraped batter from sides of pan into the mold
Left batter on bottom of pan that had been continuously mixed (could account for reduced count of bars)