How To Make Soap WITHOUT A Stick Blender! | Soap Making 101

How To Make Soap WITHOUT A Stick Blender! Soap Making 101
**Recipe down below!**
No stick blender? No problem! Soap has been around way longer than electricity, so this is a way to start out making your own soap without needing to buy any extra equipment.... even if you're on a budget or off grid! I do recommend a digital scale, but if you do some simple math, you can convert the weights to volume measurements (once you've weighed out your first batch). With a little planning and a good attitude, you can make cold process soap with NO stick blender!
Sorry it's a little wordy. I cut as much as I could out to keep the overall time down some. :)
Thanks for watching!
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***Recipe....==========================
Recipe calculator used- bit.ly/2vs6jWU
OK... got the recipe fixed and it matches the calculator now. Everything should be right. I use ounces, and matched it up to the calculator I usually use and that works. I haven't done the math on the grams, so you might want to double check the conversion before starting this recipe! First time using this one.
***Basic ingredients (grams)
Canola Oil, rapeseed 530 g 30 %
Coconut Oil, 76 deg 618 g 35 %
Soybean, 27.5% hydrogenated 618 g 35 %
Water 669 g
Lye (NaOH) 255 g
***Basic ingredients (ounces)
Canola Oil, rapeseed 18.7 oz 30 %
Coconut Oil, 76 deg 21.8 oz 35 %
Soybean, 27.5% hydrogenated 21.8 oz 35%
Water 23.6 oz
Lye (NaOH) 9 oz
***Soap Properties======================
Range This Batch
Hardness 29-54 38
Cleansing 12-22 23
Conditioning 44-69 48
Lather 14-46 23
Creamy 16-48 14
Iodine 41-70 64
INS 136-165 147
***Fatty Acid=======================
Lauric 19.6
Linoleic 11.0
Linolenic 3.6
Myristic 7.8
Oleic 41.3
Palmitic 8.7
Ricinoleic 0.0
Stearic 8.0
***Totals & misc. properties===========
Superfatting 5%
Total batch weight 152.4oz
Total oil weight 100.0oz
Fragrances / essential oils 0.0oz
Fragrance (%) 0.0%
Water as % of oils 38%
Water / lye ratio 2.632:1
Lye concentration 27.5%
Sat./unsat. ratio 44:56
***Don't click this! - bit.ly/2T8uh1h

[@UriValdez]

I love how you make soap making so much less dramatic than most.

[@firdowskruger9896]

True that👍

[@allisonkoester2736]

Quick tip for anyone wondering: the best way to use a whisk and create the quickest emulsion is to go in a back and forth motion in a straight line (not stirring in circles). This movement causes the molecules to slam against one another with more sheer force and thus emulsify more readily. If you’ve ever watched a hand mixer whip anything, you’ll see that the two mixers move in opposite directions TOWARDS one another, which again forces the oppositely moving molecules against one another and brings the emulsion together. Plus the motion is a lot easier on your arm lol.

[@unclejonssoap]

Yep! I've learned that over time. I still stir in a circular motion sometimes but tend to do mostly the back and forth motion these days.

[@allisonkoester2736]

Uncle Jon's DIY and Outdoor I mainly know because I make a lot of fresh whipped cream haha!

[@siyamuddin62]

Yeah! Just like how we mix egg omlet. Back and forth motion

[@andang7005]

Oh why didn't I read this sooner? I wasted over an hour painfully doing the circular movement and only achieved a very slight trace.

[@duduetsangseeletse4589]

You just saved my life!! Lol my stick blender broke just as I started and it's night. Your trick helped. Much thanks from South Africa 😅

[@lakesidesoapery5593]

I still whisk big batches when needed. I’ve told lots of newbies to start with a whisk and a small batch (that way it’s not forever of whisking) so they can actually SEE each step from emulsion to thick trace. And it’s a good workout 😁

[@loladennler571]

My first few batches of soap were all hand stirred....and I still did not give up! Then my nephew got me a stick blender. I'm hooked!

[@rrdcreates]

Any soapmaking video with guitar riffs in the background deserves a subscription! Thank you for the great tips!

[@Alchemista110]

LOVE YOUR SIMPLICITY and the whole "No big deal', "don't over think"

[@firdowskruger9896]

Thank you, Jon for yet another great video. I always love your simplicity. Our ancestors had no electricity or blenders and made beautiful soaps for centuries👍 Sometimes we over think and make soapmaking equivalent to your final math exam or something. Relax...😊 Greetings from Pretoria, RSA

[@squirrele.beltran8282]

SO REFRESHING to have found your channel! You make soap the way I make soap, but I've always been afraid to admit it because of the "tsk tsk" attitude one can often get when try to emphasize the fact that it's NOT deactivating a nuclear warhead... It's soap! I've been in communities where things like electricity and "PPE" were not available & this was pretty much how soap was made. THANK YOU for showing others they can ditch the hazmat suits & walk to the beat of their own soap making drummers!

[@Seductive_Psycho]

I love your videos and your style. No nonsense. Thank you.

[@unclejonssoap]

Thank you!

[@SavingWithTee]

super helpful & love your energy, thanks so much!

[@MissyRoselle]

Thank you so much for sharing this

[@brianamurphy144]

So far your videos and approach are my favorite!!! Thank you for sharing what you know 💗

[@CopperHueCollectionsChippewa]

That’s why I like your channel, you keep it simple. I learned how to make shaving soap from you a couple of years ago.

[@Alchemista110]

I love the way you teach and explain the whys

[@DreamLoveBeautyandMayhem]

Thanks for posting... Great to know

[@SabrinaMarieMonroe]

New soap maker finding your channel. Thanks so much for this man, dig the music 🎶

[@prizzmbu8139]

Thank you so much for this Teaching.....I appreciate

[@isthatsonotsofast9604]

You made it look so easy. I feel confident about trying it.

[@tobyandbond]

Jon, Thank you! I've learnt so much by watching your videos!

[@vroseessentials259]

You are very detailed. Thanks

[@AvionOrr]

Excellent lesson

[@oumarabdul9368]

I am beginning to like this guy. Thank you again Jon .Easy.

[@shalimarmohammed2582]

Thank you that was very helpful

[@EllysEverydaySoapMaking]

Hi Jon, I watched your video last night and it's great! I get a lot of questions on my channel about whether or not people can make soap without a stick blender, I now have a video to share with my viewers - thanks!

[@unclejonssoap]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@mikeellis5691]

Excellent advice !! .. we humans really are great at over complicating just about everything!

[@unclejonssoap]

Indeed!

[@madtabby66]

You think great grandma had a scale?

[@getyourfeelgoodbackbjones1576]

Learning new stuff is great!

[@sonyabarrientos8355]

I love the way you make soaps no drama

[@mizzkathryn7]

This was very nice for beginners very informational for people if the grid go's down. Thank you

[@maycuarecamacho]

Wow! Big help to me w/out electric mixer, thank you so much sir 🙏☺️😍

[@amhebbel]

Thanks!

[@RavenVargas27]

I love how easy you make it no fancy tools and ingredients just simple soap making like the old days, I never used a stick blender for soap making don't like them I use whisks etc

[@Spongebob007]

You’re a natural teacher

[@yasinoguz1784]

Thank you Uncle Jon Keep going man!

I spent the whole day almost watching videos about making shampoo bar and I really wish this was the first one lol Thanks man!

[@Liusila]

This is great. I’m a “chill” maker too, although I’ll need to work out the proportions. I’m glad I don’t need to buy a device to stir it.

[@karlamanalang1493]

Love how straightforward you are, sir! Your channel is one of my most favorite soap channels to watch. :)

[@unclejonssoap]

Thanks!

[@techanswerguy8820]

Thank you

[@steveww1507]

awesome vid thanks

[@elbowcoffeecup]

Love your soaping style.

[@unclejonssoap]

Thanks!

[@ednac1626]

Thanks so much! You made it incredibly straight forward, I really appreciate that.

[@unclejonssoap]

Thanks!

[@susannminall7456]

It was so much fun seeing you making a product and keep up with foot traffic in-store at the same time. You are an inspiration to all us newbies!

[@unclejonssoap]

Well thanks! If I hadn't started a video, I probably wouldn't have had any foot traffic 🤣

[@BushImports]

thanks Jon.

[@Mandela219]

Found you recently in my recommendations and so glad. I want to start making my own soaps and your videos are very helpful!

[@unclejonssoap]

Awesome! Just remember to breathe and have fun!

[@JahleeyahKalonji]

I make soap at home and even though I have a stick blender, I rarely use it. I don't see the point. I also use the lye to melt the coconut oil or butter if used. I like how you simplify soap making, it's quite refreshing. You don't make it seem so scary like many others, lol. When I was learning, I saw a YT video of a lady making soap, she looked like she lived in the U.S. and lived off the land. She looked like she was a Mennonite or part of some religious group. She said at first she was afraid but read books and just tried it. She took all the fear out of it for me. No stick blender either, she used the heat of the lye to melt anything solid and made it very simple. I use to wear all the gear but not anymore. No gloves and I wear prescription glasses. I keep my lye mixture in the sink until needed.

[@unclejonssoap]

That's one of the early videos that helped me get started too. She's not mennonite but some other conservative order. Misty, that lady that filmed that has gone through some major changes and I think she even left that group when she moved.

[@Know_Ishlam]

OK, can we use hand miser instead of blender that makes any different?

[@JahleeyahKalonji]

@@Know_Ishlam you can use whatever works best for your needs

[@bhaktuhlife]

You are awesome for doing this. I just moved out of America and I was like where the heck am I gonna get a stick blender in this little village that I am at . You then saved me ,so thank you .

[@abefrohman1759]

I hope you have a great weekend Jon 👍😎

[@unclejonssoap]

Thanks! You too!

[@maeeco2126]

I needed this. I broke my stick blender just recently.

[@lindachandler2293]

I know all to well how to stir it by hand. I was the stirrer when I was a kid. And it was a flat stick 🤣

[@unclejonssoap]

Lol.. it builds character!🤣

[@lindachandler2293]

@@unclejonssoap If you say so 🤣

[@unclejonssoap]

That's what I was always told when being made to do certain chores growing up...lol

[@lindachandler2293]

@@unclejonssoap Me, too. And yes, it is true.

[@UriValdez]

linda chandler its a good workout, I have my nephews do the stirring when I make detergent. Because they’re “Bored” all the time at their home

[@susanboshaw5846]

Would love to see you make soap by campfire. That's cool!

[@mypinkelephantlife3618]

Thank you so much for this video! I literally, just this minute finished pouring my very first batch of soap. I used a whisk. Due to your calm demeanor, I made what some say would be a tough first batch. I've never been one to do what everyone else says to do or does. Used almond milk instead of water and added honey at slight trace. My oils included olive, sweet almond, castor, coconut, and lard. I researched this video as I stirred. I walked away a few times to rest my arms. I'm sure I stirred longer than most would have, nearly 2 hours, but I'm working on building my muscles anyway. Great workout! I can't wait to see how it comes out. Thanks again for your calmness and encouragement.

[@unclejonssoap]

That's great!

[@HoliHealerz]

Oh great job. You probably took longer because of the high percentage of liquid oils. I use mainly (more than 80% sheep tallow and.wouod not really need a stick but I bought one and also use standing mixer. Works great.

[@kylielachappelle102]

Just made two loaves with a stick blender and I just don’t like it. About to do a third batch and I’m going to try a whisk this time! Excited to see how this one comes out!

[@JahleeyahKalonji]

lol, I make soap similar to you, I use a whisk, egg beater....and I put it in the oven so I can use it the same week. I make my own molds too and I'm making my own soap cutter. I was using a large cheese cutter and decided to just make a larger one. Soap making doesn't have to cost you hundreds, you can keep it simple.

[@prodepranpongplutong]

I started with stickblender but now I have developed a shampoo&shower bar recipe that takes 3-4 mins to reach light trace with just hand stirring! But I live in Thailand and it’s about 25-30c here maybe that help too

[@HoliHealerz]

Thats awesome. Mine reaches light trace fast and I have even produced a good (one of my best bars) with a stand mixer on slow speed. Its such a good bar and I may even say better than stick blender. But I still use stick blender for now.

[@amandabiwoye456]

Can you make a video of that? It would be really helpful. You could highlight in the caption that it is no stick blender and only 2-3 mins mixing so people would love it!

[@brookemitchell7496]

Yes, make soap outside on a wood stove! It’s so simple, just make sure you don’t put too much wood in and have the stove too hot. It will cause the batter to boil and scorch if they are not continually stirred. I do it twice a year at historic events. You’ll enjoy it.

[@unclejonssoap]

Wood stoves are expensive in my area...lol. But, I want to do a video on cooking soap over an open fire soon. :)

[@countessxiexie1581]

This is a great help for me since I do not have those fancy equipment. I don't have the most basic of things really - blender and microwave!

[@unclejonssoap]

Yep! Just remember... People made soap for every with a pot, a stick, and a camp fire..lol. You've got this!

[@countessxiexie1581]

@@unclejonssoap very inspirational... I've been wanting to make my own soaps for sometime but all the videos I've watched has this fancy things and I'm so broke can't even afford them. You now have a new sub! Thanks again!

[@kaijaca]

I want to learn how to make a soap i am so much interested.i am your supporter and new friend from the Philippines

[@CaptBilly357]

Great video. Really like your style. Just a safety note: Remember - Heated oils and fats can catch fire when they are hot enough and especially when exposed to open flame. If you heat over a fire or gas range (also fire) use caution. If the oil starts to smoke remove it from the heat source immediately (if you feel you can do so safely) or turn off the heat. Don't use water to quench an oil/fat/grease fire, smother it or use the correct style of fire extinguisher. Have fun. Use your common sense. Be prepared for things to go wrong. Keep your soaping enjoyable. Probably TMI, but I want everyone to keep their face and their house.

[@unclejonssoap]

Yep! It's just like frying over a heating element or gas flame. Although,the most they should be heating the oils (for my method) is just enough to melt the solid oils. But good points on how to deal with grease fires 😁

[@levanasoaps6142]

This was cool, thank you! I tried your cherry-almond soap, such a nice burgundy color! I'm curious to know how they made sodium hydroxide before modern times too. If you could do a video about that, it would be pretty educational. :)

[@lorilee1931]

they used rain water with ashes before.

[@fabulousprincess603]

I love this video. It's always good to learn how to make things with an alternative method. Would a regular hand mixer cause too much air bubbles? (The ones with the two mixer attachments)

[@unclejonssoap]

I think it could be ok but you would have to really watch for splashing. I want to try it sometime just to see how it does. Oh yeah.. keep it low speed too. 😁

[@mau5fan4lyfe]

Thank you majestic beard man! These fancy doodads are a luxury where I live. You saved me quite a bit of money! Thaaaaanks! Edit: can I use a normal hand mixer?

[@libertymicrofarm6032]

That trace didn’t take near as long as some say it would! (I do know it depends on the oils used). You make it look doable 👍

[@tester1991]

Day ??? of Quarantine: i learnt how to make soap

[@johnarmstrong4041]

Just be careful with aluminum and lye (also known as Caustic Soda, NaOH). The two react, you will end up dissolving the aluminum pot. Thanks for the video, just how my grandma used to make it.

[@unclejonssoap]

I don't use aluminum pots or tools. I've found that you can usually get away with some aluminum contact for a one time batch, but it's not worth finding out which aluminum will work. Or which type will be dangerous. Do, your right.. easier to just avoid it.

[@madtabby66]

Canadian wilderness here 👋 But the stick blender thing is more expense thing. They're pricy and I've been eyeballing my old one but then I cant use it for food. And a new one is around $70. So.......... *THANK YOU!*

[@questrixdragon]

You can also do the heat transfer method if you don't have electricity.

[@unclejonssoap]

Yep. I've mentioned that a little in other videos but I'm not a fan. I like all the oils melted and ready to go when I start. So for me, even a small fire with sticks would melt everything nicely and then I'm done with the fire and just go cold process from there 😁

[@kajbathandbodyllc4318]

But if you had to make soap somewhere where there was no electricity or if u didn’t have access to a heat source.. You can definitely do heat transfer. And when you use heat transfer it gets to trace super duper quick. Especially with a water discount. JS 👍😁

[@chrismedeiros3201]

Hi Jon. What is the brand and size of your plastic mixing bowl? BTW: Another great instruction video. Thanks.

[@unclejonssoap]

These are just the basic Rubbermaid plastic bowls that come in pairs at Wal-Mart. Maybe 3 quarts? The same for the heavier bowels I use for shave soap. Those are sterlite brand and thick wall because it's more heat involved.

[@jasonstouder]

Thank you. What's your box lined with?

[@unclejonssoap]

Cheap light duty trash can liners from sam's club. I can get 8 liners from each 30ish gallon bag.

[@fruitsalad5976]

Making soap for the first time..... I don't have a stick blender or a whisk... next best thing I could find is a potato masher.... apart from a sore shoulder right now it seems to be coming along quite well 😂😂

[@sterchinwe4454]

New subscribe sir I love ur channel please I want to no how to calculate my own soap recipe without using a soap calculator That's manually using a sopification table pls

[@sallykalya9023]

Hi uncle.Please show us how to make liquid soap cold processed.

[@MtnNerd]

This is cool I want to make soap but I'm not buying a whole new stick blender just for this project

[@melrose795]

I learned to make soap in a local class from a long term soaper who had a successful soaping business. She taught us without a stick blender, all hand stirred..We all took turns in the stirring process..It was fun and was valuable to learn that way.. The first time I tried hand stirring, I botched it, it never traced, but I actually think I messed up the recipe, we learned to do recipes without a lye calculator, she gave us the SAP values, then we had to do our own math..Oops, therein was the problem for me, because I am horrible with math, lol..Once I discovered the lye calculators, boom, good to go.. I tried one more time with a tiny 1 pound batch and it worked just fine by hand stirring. So, I guess I am saying, I think the lye calculators are key, even though they may very a tad..

[@dawnwinters2473]

Hi Jon, do you cover your soaps or only pour and allow them to sit?

[@unclejonssoap]

Just pour and let them sit 😁 Three weeks mold helps with insulation some but it's not much of a concern to me honestly.

[@janelleropp6988]

Hi there. I’m just looking into soap making and of course they make such a big deal about the lye. I figure it can’t be that bad because like you say people have done it for hundreds of years. I do want to be safe with the lye because of health conditions.... so just wondering when I wash it should I rinse the lye solution bowl first before i wash it? Or do you just fill up a sink and wash everything in the sink together bare handed?

[@unclejonssoap]

Sorry for the delay... I wash them all at once. It's plenty diluted at that point.

[@agustinagreco1981]

Thank you Uncle Jon! ❤ Why didn't you use the heat transfer method to melt the oils instead of the microwave? You say on your video that you didn't have good luck. What happened? What were the challenges? I'm trying to make soap with no electricity and the gas is only for cooking so I would need to use heat transfer to melt the oils... I wonder how that will go....

[@unclejonssoap]

For me, I like having all the oils melted before hand. It just seems to make for a more consistent product. The transfer method seems to work for some but it's just not practical for me.

[@ct-lu8go]

8:50

[@sunflowerlover7979]

I just like to make stuff too. Lol

[@growintalesmD]

I liked this video 👍🏽but the peace core guy should ask the locals Africans have been making soap for ever and they should tell him what to use🤷🏽‍♀️💁🏽‍♀️🙋🏽‍♀️but great video and 🙌🏽

[@unclejonssoap]

They have but it's a different type. Nothing wrong with learning both ways😁

[@kikisoaps6544]

I sometimes make soap after my family members go to bed so the stick blender is too loud.

[@YAEteddy]

Hey, Jon! super new to this. After I pour it in the mold, then what? When is the soap usable?

[@unclejonssoap]

Patience is key. Should be able to unmold after 24 hours. Then cut with a knife. Let cure for a week or two and then try a bar. Then try another after 3 to 4 weeks and so on. You'll see the difference in each bar after a certain amount of time curing. It's a learning process for sure.

[@unclejonssoap]

You can also try a bar after a day or so out of the mold. It's safe at that point but may not be at it's best. Some will cure faster than others.

[@YAEteddy]

@@unclejonssoap Thanks a bunch! So I can use a plastic beaker for the water and lye?

[@Skylightatdusk]

Why is it necessary or preferable for the lye water to clear up before the emulsification process?

[@unclejonssoap]

I like to do that because it lets me know the lye is well dissolved

[@nicholasparnell732]

i have a question and you may have mentioned this in another video i have not got to yet buy can you use vegetable oil instead of olive oil i am wanting to start making soap as a hobby

[@unclejonssoap]

You can.. it it would be difficult to make the soap with any kind of accuracy unless you know exactly what oils are in it and in what percentage.

[@nicholasparnell732]

@@unclejonssoap ok thank you for the info

[@itzcloveynuh1207]

That's me, i wanna learn different things that compliments each other. At the end of the day, i should be able to give you a completely furnished house. 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗😊🤗😐😐🇬🇩🇬🇩🇬🇩

[@ellaellala8741]

Random question: I tried to use soapcalc a few days ago and it didn't work and I saw you used a different lye Calc, do you know if it's gone for good? And also I live in a warmer climate and I discovered that there are are a few additives that one could use to achieve a thicker trace easily like beeswax and some essential oils, so if anyone has a problem with that it's worth checking out

[@ellaellala8741]

People will usually refer to it as things that accelerate trace, and also as a rule of thumb thicker oils and butters resolt in a thicker trace

[@unclejonssoap]

I'm not sure what's going on with soapcalc. It's not the end of the world but it is the one I've been used to for years...lol. As for waxes... They can help some with trace but must be kept in moderation. They can also kill lather beyond a small amount.

[@pjpony1234]

You can add a bit of salt. You end up with harder bars. I add it to my lye water.

[@pjpony1234]

@@unclejonssoap Brambleberry has a soap calculator app. I use it sometimes.

[@karishmahramneehorah3937]

why oils separate in the cold process soap making at times. could it be because of less lye or I mixed the lye water and oils at inappropriate temperature?

[@unclejonssoap]

Usually, that means the soap should have been mixed a little longer before going into the mold.

[@karishmahramneehorah3937]

Actually i had used a manual whisk.

[@arvintejarat776]

but grate man ! ancient people were not using such harsh raw material as caustic soda ,they were using softer material like wood ashes and so on ,please note some people that are watching your video are not so alert about chemicals ,please don't push them to take it so easy ! thank you

[@unclejonssoap]

Wood ash is as caustic as caustic soda..lol. Where do you think potassium hydroxide came from originally? I "push" for education. And,not to sound disrespectful, but you're mistaken on this subject and need to study some more.

[@celticqaidbear]

Can you do off grid soap making?

[@unclejonssoap]

Yep! That's basically what this was except for the microwave substitution for the wood stove or camp fire...lol. Hopefully I can do one outdoors soon over the fire.

[@suandoyle9814]

How long do you leave it in the mold?

[@unclejonssoap]

I usually unmold and cut my soap after 24 hours. But, sometimes if I'm busy it will stay in the mold for a few days.

[@susanboshaw5846]

Was there a fragrance in this soap?

[@unclejonssoap]

I think there was but I can't remember..lol

[@darlenejustason4395]

How long do you leave it until you cut it into bar

[@unclejonssoap]

Roughly 24 hours. Some recipes can be done sooner or later depending on the types of oil used.

[@Jaidzeka36]

If I wanted to use aloe vera water instead of distilled water, would the lye burn away all the nutrients?

[@unclejonssoap]

Yep. And, as a rinse off product, adding anything like that would be kind of a waste any way. Better off using soap to clean and then a lotion when necessary. It's almost impossible to make a conditioning soap.

[@missyeliza8037]

I have a question. If I substituted the hydrogenated soybean oil, would I use the same weight of the liquid soybean oil?

[@unclejonssoap]

Possibly. It you would need to double check with the lye calculator that you use. I would think it's close but not totally sure.

[@missyeliza8037]

@@unclejonssoap Thank you so much! My husband and I love your videos! Stress free and to the point 👍

[@unclejonssoap]

Now, I just need to get my lazy self making more videos🤣

[@karinblair1367]

The complication probably comes from the government. I love your honesty.Your video was awesome, have you been taking classes?

[@unclejonssoap]

No classes. But, I do research online along with my own experiences 😁

[@pjpony1234]

It is the government and lawsuit attorneys. The FDA regulates soap and cosmetic industry. I was going to try this as a profession, but the insurance and FDA put me off. Now I just make soap and lotion for myself and husband. I'm too old to be hassled by bureaucrats.

[@Uncle_Jon]

@@pjpony1234 actually, the FDA does not regular soap as long as it's ONLY soap.

[@pjpony1234]

@@Uncle_Jon They can raid you anytime they please for any reason if you are selling soap or cosmetics to the public. They can use the excuse they're checking your cleanliness. Not giving them an excuse to enter my property. I was a member of a soapers group and know a few members who were treated this way. Don't think they respect the law. They don't.

[@deema9790]

It’s necessary to use distilled water into a soap ?

[@unclejonssoap]

It's only necessary if you have poor water quality or if you don't know the quality of your existing water source.

[@lizaryder5219]

Is it an unscented?

[@unclejonssoap]

Yep! I feel everyone should make an unscented soap starting out to learn how the different base oils act before adding scents and additives. Because, each additive can possibly make the batch react totally different which ends up being basically a different soap each time. 😁

[@jakeblanton6853]

My first batch of soap was with around 500 g of used fryer oil. Pretty black oil that I normally sprinkle on my dogs' food for a taste treat for them. It was a hot process soap and it just never seemed to get as hard as I thought it should. Even after a few days under a fan, I could still press my thumb into it. It had a dash of Pine-Sol added to it for smell. I remelted it multiple times and tried adding things to it (e.g. salt, quicklime, sugar), but it never really seemed to get it as hard as commercial soap. The soap was supposed to just be for cleaning my hands after I was working in my garage, so I needed to add some abrasive to it. I had read about some people making soap with rice, so I ground up a half cup of raw dry rice with the stick blender and added it to it. That seemed to firm it up a bit, but still not what I would have liked. I had a piece of 2" sched-40 PVC pipe and cut down a piece of wood on a lathe to make a plunger that was 2" in diameter. I put the square chunks of soap into the pieces of PVC and then used the plunger to compress it until it reformed itself to the shape of the PVC pipe. This seems to have made quite a bit of difference in the hardness of the soap. Ever tried something like that?

[@unclejonssoap]

I haven't but it's similar to the press that would be used to make commercial soap. The hardness of commercial soaps is some from chemistry and a lot from multi-ton presses and extruders. But, your batch should have hardened a little better. Have you rechecked all your weights and proportions?

[@jakeblanton6853]

@@unclejonssoap -- I was very careful with the measurements and used the calculator at SoapCalc.net, but the used fry oil probably consisted of a mixture of soybean, cottonseed, canola, and corn, in addition to various animal fats from whatever was being fried, so it was pretty much an unknown quantity (pun not intended since I knew exactly what the quantity was). :) I'm thinking of trying it with an arbor press to see what happens though. As it was, I just leaned all of my weight on the plunger, so it was probably only 64 psi.

[@unclejonssoap]

Yeah.. the used oil is a bit of a crap shoot...lol. I really like to blend it off with some fresh canola oil to help offset that a little.

[@jakeblanton6853]

@@unclejonssoap -- Even my fresh oil is a bit of a crap shoot since I buy it in the large 5 gallon jugs / boxes at Sam's Club and then transfer it to 2 liter soda bottles that have been cleaned and dried. I have never bothered to label those 2-liter bottles with respect to what type of oil since it really didn't matter to me -- they're all the same when it comes to my wife's stir frying or my deep frying. :) I might need to make a note of what type of oil is in the 2-liter bottles the next time I buy in bulk and transfer the oil to them. :) And who knows what the dash of Pine-Sol did to the chemistry... :) I doubt that I could duplicate the batch, but surprisingly, it seems to work well enough. Maybe a bit less oil with the same amount of lye since it is just a hand soap.. I recently got banned from SoapMakingForum because I offended some snowflake moderator by typing "sh-t" in the quote of a joke from elsewhere, as in "yo! watch this sh-t!" (with respect to testosterone poisoning the leading cause of death amongst guys up to age 25) and pointing out that their censorship of my post changed the meaning of it. She also didn't like the fact that I had corrected one poster who insisted that a liquid ounce / cup weighed the exact same as a dry ounce / cup. Accused me of elitism... :) The actual quoted reason was "You have been banned for the following reason: taunting members with your greatness, being disrespectful to mods/admins and yelling censorship: this is not a free speech forum" As the saying goes -- "Women... Can't live with 'em, can't kill 'em..." :)

[@unclejonssoap]

I don't do well in soap groups in general..lol. There's a Hoover mentality that makes it really tough to have constructive conversations because so many there are just spouting off things they've heard but never proven for themselves..lol. Ah well... At least I have my little corner of the web 😁

[@libertymicrofarm6032]

One question I can’t seem to find an answer to is… how long does lye stay hot? Do I have time to make my lye solution and then melt my fats over a heat source?

[@unclejonssoap]

You should have time. Plus, the lye doesn't have to stay hot. You can make the lye solution first, then melt your hard oils, then you add your liquid oils which will bring the oil temperature down.

[@libertymicrofarm6032]

@@unclejonssoap thank you. What if I’m making a pure tallow soap? Our group is doing a back to basics, “old ways”, learn by doing just so we know we can kinda thing 😉 Nothing froo froo, just basic soap.

[@unclejonssoap]

Same thing. I would still make the lye water first. Melt the tallow over your heart source being careful not to get it too hot. Once the tallow gets half melted I would remove from the heat and stir. Sometimes, it will melt the rest of the way without more heat added. If not, then you can slide it back on the fire. I would still keep the fat temps low and do it cold process off the fire so it's easier to pour into a mold.

[@libertymicrofarm6032]

@@unclejonssoap thank you so much for your help

[@margaritaespinoza1745]

Do you know other soapcalc ....??? Because soapcalc.com does not work....... helpppppp

[@unclejonssoap]

Here's one to try. www.thesage.com/calcs/LyeCalc.html

[@carolbrandenberg9336]

Also the soap calculator or wholesale supplies plus has one like soapcalc

[@jeffcotton2235]

I am surprised you're stirring on top of the scale. A tippy thing to do.

[@unclejonssoap]

Life on the edge! 🤣

[@singha2927]

Stick blender is so expensive for high school student 😭

[@unclejonssoap]

Not really. They can be bought used too. And, even if you can't afford one, soap is easy to make stirring by hand😁