Soap making is a creative and satisfying hobby that allows you to create unique and personalized soap bars for yourself or as gifts. While traditional cold process soap making is the most common method, hot process soap making offers an alternative technique that produces a unique texture and character. In this article, we will explore the hot process soap making technique, its benefits, and some recipes to get you started.

What is Hot Process Soap Making?

Hot process soap making is a method of soap making that involves cooking the soap mixture over a heat source, such as a stovetop or crockpot. This method accelerates the saponification process and allows the soap to be used immediately after cooling and hardening. The result is a bar of soap with a unique texture and character that differs from cold process soap.

Benefits of Hot Process Soap Making

Hot process soap making has several benefits over cold process soap making. Some of these benefits include:

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  • Faster curing time: Because the saponification process is accelerated by heat, hot process soap can be used soon after it cools and hardens, typically within 24 hours. By contrast, cold process soap requires a curing time of four to six weeks before it can be used.
  • Unique texture: The heat and cooking process of hot process soap making produce a soap bar with a unique texture and character. The texture can range from smooth and creamy to rustic and chunky, depending on the recipe and cooking time.
  • No need for fragrance oils: Because the soap mixture is heated during the cooking process, the fragrance of essential oils is not lost or affected by the lye in the soap mixture. This means that hot process soap making does not require the use of fragrance oils, which may contain synthetic chemicals.
  • Ability to add ingredients later: With hot process soap making, you can add ingredients, such as exfoliants or colorants, later in the cooking process without affecting the final outcome.

How to Make Hot Process Soap

Hot process soap making requires a few additional steps and equipment compared to cold process soap making. Here are the basic steps for making hot process soap:

Equipment needed:

  • Heat source (stovetop or crockpot)
  • Stainless steel or heat-resistant glass pot
  • Stick blender
  • Thermometer
  • Safety goggles and gloves
  • Soap mold

Ingredients:

  • 16 oz. olive oil
  • 8 oz. coconut oil
  • 8 oz. palm oil
  • 4 oz. shea butter
  • 4 oz. lye
  • 10 oz. water

Instructions:

  1. Put on safety goggles and gloves.
  2. Weigh the oils and shea butter into the pot and heat over low heat until melted.
  3. In a separate container, weigh the water and lye. Slowly add the lye to the water while stirring until fully dissolved. Be careful not to inhale the fumes.
  4. Add the lye mixture to the pot of oils and blend with a stick blender until it reaches trace.
  5. Cover the pot and cook on low heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the soap reaches the desired texture. Check the temperature periodically with a thermometer; the soap should reach 180-200°F.
  6. Once the soap has reached the desired texture, remove from heat and let cool for 15 minutes.
  7. Pour the soap mixture into a mold and let cool and harden for 24 hours before removing from the mold.

Recipes for Hot Process Soap Making

Here are two recipes to get you started with hot process soap making:

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Lavender and Rosemary Soap

  • 16 oz. coconut oil
  • 8 oz. olive oil
  • 8 oz. palm oil
  • 4 oz. shea butter
  • 4 oz. lye
  • 10 oz. water
  • 1 tbsp. lavender essential oil
  • 1 tbsp. rosemary essential oil

Follow the instructions for making hot process soap outlined above, adding the essential oils at the end of the cooking process.

Oatmeal and Honey Soap

  • 16 oz. olive oil
  • 8 oz. coconut oil
  • 8 oz. palm oil
  • 4 oz. shea butter
  • 4 oz. lye
  • 10 oz. water
  • 1/2 cup oatmeal
  • 1/4 cup honey

Follow the instructions for making hot process soap outlined above, adding the oatmeal and honey after the soap mixture has reached the desired texture and removing from heat before pouring into the mold.

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Conclusion

Hot process soap making is an exciting alternative to traditional cold process soap making, offering unique texture and faster curing times. With some practice and creativity, you can create personalized soap bars that suit your individual preferences and needs. Remember to take safety precautions when working with lye and to research any additional ingredients you wish to add to your soap recipe. Enjoy the process of creating your own soap, and have fun experimenting with different recipes and techniques!

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