2nd Time Making CP Soap..Used Shortening and Thickened Right Away!!

by CS Fletcher
(CT)

Is this normal?? I used a soap/lye calculator and measured correctly. This was an experimental batch using ONLY veg. shortening for fats, with the exception of a small amt. of olive oil for super fating. I DID use cold, fresh brewed tea water for a beige color. As SOON as I added the lye/tea mixture I could feel it begin to thicken. I stirred for a matter of a couple of minutes and it was like mashed potatoes. I add a spice fragrance oil, but it was already turning this crazy thick consistency before I added the fragrance. Any ideas where this all took a bad turn? :o(

Answer:

It is likely a combination of things.

Your vegetable shortening will be made up of various oils, quite often palm oil is a large portion. Palm oil goes to trace rather quickly.

If you mixed the oil and lye at a low temperature, that can speed up trace. The tea could also have played a part.

Each of these factors on their own would probably be fine but when combined could have caused a rapid trace.

This is exactly why it's such a good idea to do experimental batches when creating new recipes...they can be quite surprising.

Hope that helps,

Cathy