Making Handmade Soap: Batch Size

So, I have been debating (in my head) on how to approach the size of the batches of soap I intend to produce. Initailly, I was thinking 10-12 lb batches - more because that's the batch size used in the book I purchased than for any other reason.

With that in mind, I purchased 2 bar molds designed to hold a 5 -6 lb loaves of soap.

But now I'm thinking ... maybe I should make 5 lb batches instead. Assuming 20-24 bars per batch I could ...

• make more different kinds of soap more quickly
• waste less material in the event of a bad batch
• possibly use a countertop stand mixer

The first issue is the most important. If I intend to make soap baskets for xmas gifts I am going to need those molds working continuosly - and 20 some odd bars of each should be more than enough. I don't really have all that many friends.

Secondly, I would be really bummed if I made a 12lb batch of 48 bars that dind't work out - effectively scrapping a good amount of material.

Thirdly - I hadn't considered the use of a stand mixer until I came across it on one of the other homemade soap websites (link coming as soon as I remember who it was). I had considered using an immersion blender to reach trace quickly (some say 5 minites or so), but ruled it out for two reasons.

Handheld mixers...

1. Can burn out mixing soap if you are not careful and
2. If not used properly have a tendancy to not completely mix the soap properly resulting in lye filled bubble in your soap.

So, in the iterest of not wasting money on burned up equipment or failed batches and unusable soap I had all but given in to mixing by hand.

The stand mixer would't be capable of very large batches, but appears to reach trace in about 10 minutes or so and I have to assume they do a pretty good job of evenly incorporating the ingredients - seeing as most bakers I know are quite picky.

... but then again, if I use the stand mixer, is it really handmade soap.

Home Made Soap; Working Out the Formula

The more hand made soap recipes I read, the more my head spins. Now, I know I need to incorporate some palm oil for a hard bar and coconut to get the rich creamy lather that I'm looking for - but neither of these make up the bulk of the soap.

Photo Credit: Bostick & Sullivan

The top contenders are avacado and olive oil. Both have some really great properties to bring to the table, and to the soap. I guess I could use a combination of both, as I have seen soaps with up to 6 different oils or more - but buying more than a few oils in bulk could get a little expensive.

I also don't want an oil that's going to lend too much of an aroma the the soap, as I intend to add oils and macerations myself.

Welp, I'll keep working it out. Just want a recipe I'm happy with so I can move onto the fun stuff ... like using double-brewed teas, or beer, or any number of liquids instead of water.

Daydreaming: Scents of Things to Come

Well, I have already decided that my first batch of soap will be unscented. The actual recipe or formula has yet to be determined.

That said, I have already begun daydreaming about the scents I would be adding. I really want to do some more masculine type scents. I'm thinking cloves, black pepper and chai -individually, of course.

Photo Credit: TheNibble.com

I'm also thinking of creating my own "oils" (not the right word) by soaking the spices in alcohol. I actually did this with black pepper and vodka once, and the vodka took the flavor of the black peppercorns really well ... almost too well, but I'm thinking it would be perfect for a natural soap.

Well, still gathering up the material needed for the first unscented batch and a recipe that will produce a really nice lather and a pretty firm soap ... which are really my only real requirements thus far.

Can't wait for my first successfull batch, and subsequent experiments. Fingers crossed.

Loaf Soap Molds with No Liner - Genius!

So, I started some preliminary window shopping on the web and quickly realized that the loaf or bar molds would be a pretty hefty investment. Initially I expected them to be pretty cheap, as most are a pretty simple wooden box (that I would like to think I could m ke myself, but who am I kidding ... I won't.)

That's when I came across these BEAUTIES!

Photo Credit: No Liner Soap Molds

This set comes with two loaf molds and a cutter - that can also be used as a third mold.

My excitement stems from not having to deal with lining wooded molds with wax paper. It may seem a little petty or lazy, but at this stage of the game eliminating any steps I can should aid in successful soapmaking.

The 10 to 12 lb. set comes in at $62.50 on Ebay from a fella named MrDoGood123. Wooden lids are an extra 3 bucks a piece and shipping is just about $15. I think I'll go with the lids.

****For those keeping score at home, thats $86.50 for the molds and cutting gear, and $14.95 for the book. Grand total $101.45 ) At this point I think I'll be lucky to make my first batch of soap for under $250. I think I'm also going to have to scrap the idea of building a workbench in the garage and beg to use the kitchen.****

With what's included this set costs just about as much (or maybe less) that wooden sets - that can get really expensive.

Again ... more than I really thought it was going to cost to start up this hobby, but that's just me...and what do I know.

I'll let you know when I place my order.

Gathering up the Gear; Soapmaking Equipment

Alright. Looks like I am going to need some stuff. After initially thinking "Hey, I have most of the equipment already", I have quickly realized that lots of things will need to be purchased specifically for soapmaking, as they will no longer be safe for any other household uses.

So, this little undertaking is going to cost me a little more out of pocket than I expected. I guess the upside is that if I make this type of investment, I'll be darned if I don't get some successfull soapmaking done.

(image credit MyWoodenSpoon.com)

For startes it appears I'm going to need ...

• 2 good quality stainless steel digital thermometers


• 1 large stainless steel pot.


• 3 qt saucepan


• at least one scale that uses both the American and Metric Systems ... (or one of each)


• an emersion blender (handheld stick blender)


• wooden"loaf" style mold(s) and a soap cutter

...and I'm sure I left some essential tools and equipment out.

So, I guess I'll start shopping, or at least pricing these items out. When I get my hands on them, I'll let you know what I spent Once I put them to use I'll also let you know how they worked out.

It's a little daunting - and starting to look a little pricey to be honest with you - but, hey, if it works out this would overall be a pretty inexpensive hobby and hopefully some decent gift baskets for friends and family.

Gotta Start Somewhere. Get a Soap Book

While there seems to be a wealth of knowledge about handmade soap making on the web, I needed to take a step back and look at it from one perspective at a time ... so I broke down and dropped$14.95 on a book.

Specifically, The Natural Soap Book: Making Herbal and Vegetable-Based Soaps by Susan Miller CavitchJust seems like a logical place to start. I was looking for another title by he same author, but this will do. It's got a good list of tools needed, and as soon as I gather them up I'll let you know what I found and how much it cost me.



While at Borders, another title caught my eye ... Soapmaking for Fun and Profit. Let's just hope that we get that far.

It's Just Soap, Right?

OK, so I got it into my head that making my own soap would be a good idea. Cruising online for recipes I discovered that most recipes for cold pressed handmade soap make, like 10lbs at a time - so then I got to thinking ... maybe, if it comes out well, just maybe I could sell the stuff. I could definatley use a profitable hobby.

Anyway, the process (of curing etc.) seems to take a few weeks - and my latest thought was to test drive it as a Christmas gift - so time is of the essence.

I have been given permission to use the garage for this purpose... provided I do it safely, etc.

First I'm going to need a workbench ...

Well ... lets' see where this goes. No one on my Xmas list got their cookies last year either. Not that we didn't make 'em, it's just they weren't quite done on time. I believe I ate 6 or seven dozen cookies in the first week of January. So much for resolutions.


Why the blog? It could be that I just needed to share my new found enthusiasm. Or, more likely, I needed to say it out loud or it would never happen.

Anyway ... wish me luck.