Hand Mill & Rebatching Soap Instructions
Handmilling is the
process of rebatching or remelting freshly grated soap with various
scents and ingredients. An advantage to handmilling soap is that you
can make several different types of soap from just one batch and use a
variety of different mold shapes as well.
Stove Top Method
1. Over
medium/low heat, add some of the grated soap to your pot filling it to
about 3/4 of the way. Add 1/4-1/2 cup of milk or water to the pot,
adding more or less if necessary. Stir gently.
2. The
soap should begin to melt down and have the consistency of soft mashed
potatoes. Stir occasionally adding more of the liquid if necessary.
You do not want the soap to become runny, but all of the gratings
should melt to a fairly smooth consistency.
3. When
your soap has melted down, remove it from the stovetop and let cool
awhile. Prepare your ingredients and molds. If you are scenting all
the soap in the pot with the same scent fragrance oil. The amount of
scent will depend on your liking, but as a guideline, about 1 oz per
pound of soap. Scents will fade slightly over time, so it’s better to
start out a little stronger.
4. Add any additional ingredients such as botanicals, grains, colorants at this time. Stir in well.
5. Pour
into mold/molds. Hand milling allows soap makers to make a variety of
soap scents and shapes from just one batch. The soap can also be
poured into molds
6. Allow
molded soap to harden uncovered overnight or several days. The freezer
will also help to harden the molded soap and make the release much
easier.
7. Finished bars should cure (air dry) for several weeks.
Crockpot Method
Place
one pound of soap curls and 1/2 cup of liquid (milk, water, herbal tea,
etc.), in a crock pot at about 250 degrees f or on low, cover and allow
to "stew" for 1 to 3 hours depending on how many pounds you are working
with. Stir gently and thoroughly every hour making sure your don't
create air bubbles. After 2 hours, stir every 1/2 hour until the curls
are melted and you have a mixture resembling marshmallow cream. Add
ingredients, stir pour in mold, tap molds firmly to remove any air
bubbles. Finished bars should cure (air dry) for several weeks
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oven method:
place the soap curls and liquid a stainless steel, enamel or glass pot,
cover and place in a 200 degrees f oven. stir gently and thoroughly
every hour making sure your don't create air bubbles. after 2 hours,
stir every 1/2 hour until the curls are melted and you have a mixture
resembling marshmallow cream. finish --Add other ingredients and pour
in molds.tap firmly to remove any air bubblesFinished bars should cure (air dry) for several weeks |
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double boiler method:
follow the crock pot method using a double boiler instead. check water
level periodically. This method may take longer. Stir gently and
thoroughly every hour making sure your don't create air bubbles. after
2 hours, stir every 1/2 hour until the curls are melted and you have a
mixture resembling marshmallow cream. finish Add other ingredients and
pour in molds.Tap firmly to remove any air bubbles. Finished bars should cure (air dry) for several weeks |
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