Hot Process Soap Making
Hot process soap making is a unique method of making soap that is very popular because the resulting soap can be used right away.
While this kind of soap becomes harder, much faster than soap produced using the cold process method, I still feel the bars reap the advantages of several of the week’s curing. This allows the soap to harden, even more, extending the time that the bars can be used.
The hot process uses an external heat resource to bring the soap to the gel phase, where it is then poured into the mold. This is unlike the cold process method that will not use external heat. The heat is produced internally during saponification, and the soap might or might not go into the gel phase.
Design-wise, the hot process has what many call a rustic or less refined look, with little to no chance for swirling or intricate designs. However, many soap makers love HP because of its quick turnaround; we can use many soaps from the next day.
To get made of hot process soap, you’ll need:
1. A Crackpot
2. Glass or Pyrex measuring cups and bowls
3. A digital kitchen scale
4. A stick blender
5. Soap Mold
6. Safety gear
Pros and Cons of Hot Process Soap Making:
Pros
1. Hot process soap allows you to customize every ingredient, including essential oils.
2. The excess heat speed up the saponification process. We can cut the hot process of soap within one day and use it immediately.
3. The bars have a rustic appearance with a less soft texture than a cold process. Whether you prefer this look is a choice.
4. Could be made in a Double boiler or Crock-Pot.
5. The thick consistency makes it ideal for suspending heavier additives.
6. Considered an extra natural bar of soap.
7. Clean-up is easy because the soap in the slow cooker/Crock-Pot has already been soap.
Cons
1. Because of the solid consistency of hot process soap, some swirls, and techniques, such as layering, are extremely difficult to achieve.
2. The bars have a rustic look with a less easy texture than a cold process. Whether you prefer this look is a choice.
3. If your fragrance or natural essential oil has a minimum flash point, some soap makers find the temperature of the hot process tends to melt away the fragrance, leading it to fade.
4. As the soap cooks, it expands. For the possibility of it overflowing, it’s important to never leave it unattended.
5. Difficult to include fresh ingredients like purees and milk; they scorch through the cooking process.
