Introduction to Gel Phasing in Cold-Process Soapmaking.
Welcome to The Natural Lather! In this post, we'll explore the fascinating concept of gel phase in cold process soapmaking. Whether you're a seasoned soap maker or just curious about the process, let's dive into what gel phase is and why it matters. We'll also touch on how it impacts the making of our all-natural bar soaps, including our natural goat's milk soap, and the other wonderful cold-process soaps in our natural bath and body shop in Seaside, OR.
What Is Gel Phase in Cold-Process Soapmaking?
Gel phase is a stage during which cold-process soap heats up and transforms, appearing translucent and more vibrant in color. This occurs when the saponification process generates heat, and the temperature of the soap mixture rises to a certain level. As the soap goes through gel phase, it temporarily becomes more fluid, like a thick gel, before cooling and hardening back to its opaque state.
Why Does Gel Phase Matter?
Gel phase can influence the final appearance and texture of the soap. When soap undergoes gel phase, it often has brighter colors and a smoother, glossier finish. This can be particularly useful when creating visually appealing soaps with intricate designs.
Encouraging or Preventing Gel Phase in Cold-Process Soapmaking.
Soap makers can either encourage or prevent gel phase, depending on their desired outcome. To encourage gel phase, soap makers often insulate the soap mold to retain heat by putting a lid on the mold, placing in the oven, or insulating with a towel, to ensure the entire batch remains the same temperature during the saponification process.
To prevent gel phase, soap makers cool the mold quickly or avoid insulation. This is preferred when they want to avoid certain color changes or maintain specific designs. This is typically done by placing the mold into a refrigerator or freezer with the hopes of preventing a drastic rise in temperature!
Partial Gel Phase in Cold-Process Soap.
Partial gel phase occurs when only a portion of a cold-process soap loaf undergoes the gel phase while the rest remains in its opaque state. This can happen when the heat generated during saponification is unevenly distributed across the soap mold, or just the outer layer of the batch is cooled, resulting in a distinct ring or area of translucency within the soap. This partial gel phase can create unique visual effects, such as a noticeable gradient or pattern within the soap. While some soap makers embrace partial gel phase for its artistic appeal, others aim to avoid it for a consistent appearance across the entire batch. The key to preventing partial gel phase is ensuring even insulation and careful temperature management during the curing process. However, if you appreciate the unexpected beauty that comes with partial gel phase, it can add a touch of individuality to each bar of soap.
Common Issues When Trying to Promote Gel Phase in Cold-Process Soap.
Promoting gel phase in cold-process soapmaking can present a few challenges that require careful attention to avoid undesired outcomes. One common issue is overheating, which can lead to "soap volcanoes" where the soap expands and erupts out of the mold, creating a messy cleanup and potentially ruining the batch. This can happen if the soap's internal temperature rises too quickly or is not properly monitored.
Another problem is cracking or "heat tunnels," which occur when the soap's center heats up and expands more rapidly than the outer layers. This can result in visible cracks or uneven textures on the soap's surface, affecting its aesthetic appeal and structural integrity.
Color changes are also a concern when promoting gel phase. Excessive heat can alter or dull certain pigments, leading to inconsistent coloration across the batch. In some cases, the heat can cause the soap to "burn," resulting in darkened or scorched areas.
How We Use Gel Phase at The Natural Lather in Seaside, OR.
At The Natural Lather we typically choose to try and prevent this gel phase process by placing our small batches of cold-process soap into our refrigerator, which we keep clean and sanitized, and is specifically dedicated for this purpose. However, things don't always go as planned and some of our batches do go through this partial gel phasing. This in no way compromises the quality or consistency of our natural bar soaps, and the middle ring created typically fades over time before the soap is fully cured.
Conclusion to Gel Phase in Cold-Process Soapmaking.
In the image provided we have shown an example of what a cold-process soap bar looks like in each stage of gel phase. On the left side this soap bar went through the full gel phase process. The center bar soap went through a partial gel phase which you can tell by the ring, and the slightly more vibrate color in the center. Finally, the bar soap on the left completely by-passed gel phase all together.
Understanding gel phase is just one of the many intriguing aspects of cold-process soapmaking. We hope this post has given you a glimpse into the craft and care that goes into our natural soap shop in Seaside, OR. If you'd like to learn more about our products or see the results of gel phase in action, visit us in-store or check out our online shop.
Thanks for joining us and stay tuned for more insights into the world of all-natural skincare and cold-process soapmaking!