I'm with you John, While I don't want my soap to strip my skin, it's soap... I prefer HP because I can add my superfat after gel, but going all nuts with designs is not my focus.
Very cool Jon. I like the way you keep things simple. Most of the soap making videos out there tend to over complicate things. I would love to see a beginner's soap making equipment guide.
I have to say, being a soap maker (hobbyist) I'm well aware of what super fatting is. I always watch your videos though because I love your channel and the great way you explain things. Keep up the amazing work!
You’re the best thank you for answering a question I had been stressing about. I thought I was doing something wrong. I been doing it right all this time. ☺️
I absolutely love straight to the point all the useless rambling make me loose focus on what I really need this is why I enjoy your vids the most thk u
Hey Uncle Jon! Personally, I dont think you are dragging on at all. I enjoy watching your videos because you keep it simple, informative and straight to the point. Thanks a bunch!!!!
Thanks so much, because I was so confused about the whole 6 %, 8 % etc superfat, didn't really understand when and where to add it, you broke it down very well
Thankyou for explaining things in a simple, easy to understand terms. I'm looking at starting to make my own soap and seeing all the different oils, butters and such was scaring the crap out of me!
KISS - Keep it simple stupid! Thanks Jon! I'm a newbie and in the research stage. Was getting overwhelmed with all of the information and over thinking it. Glad I came across your video. Going back to the KISS method lol. Have a fantastic day!
Hi, Uncle John, Thanks for another great video (I just found this. In fact, I have been your subscriber since not too long ago and I have been watching your old videos, one at a time and loving them all!) Would enjoy all kind of outdoor DIY, adventure, self sustainability, etc. Wouldn't mind it all in one same channel. Love your no-frills style. Keep the good job.
Thank you so much! I finally understand this topic now! You always keep things simple and explain it so I can understand. I appreciate all your videos!
You use the cold process method for your shaving soap I just can't wrap my head around that I have to use Hot Process I only use the cold process for my bar soaps because it pours into my 3D printed mold so easily. Always watch your video Have a great night Jon and thanks for transferring the knowledge.
LOL I always thought that soap was not where the soft came into play. That is what lotions are for and that type of thing. I mean I do not want a super stripping harsh soap... Also makes me think of my son starting to bake bread. He wanted to start with baguettes. I was like try basic white bread first.
hi and thanks for the vid. just found your channel :) i have a question, will 'superfatting' soap make the bar feel slippier than soap that hasnt been superfatted? thanks, much love from the UK xx
That would work but I would definitely add extra glycerin or bring the super fat up to at least 5%. It's still going to be a little harder on hair than synthetic soaps or shampoos.
That's been my experience. Although, you can add things to the soap to help. It's going to take some experimentation. Chelators are going to be your friend here.
What are your thoughts on tallow soaps? Maybe not a total tallow. Maybe a 50/50 tallow and olive oil. I’m looking to create a good winter soap for my husband who suffers from horribly dry itchy winter skin. Lotions and salves don’t help and commercial soaps/body washes make it worse.
Tallow is easy to get if you get the cheap ground beef and strain the fat off yourself. Make a few batches of chili and save the fat. I've done it a few times and it made great soap.
At 4:53, im confused! If you made a bastille, i thought you had to add either extra olive oil or extra coconut oil to make that your superfat. I have 2 other questions.. If you added some hemp oil to your bastille after it reaches a light trace, and then mix it to a heavier trace, would it use the hemp oil as the superfat? Also, is a water discount the same as getting a superfat?
Water discount actually just makes things move faster. Sorry far is just more oil than you need to get soap to a zero sum (safe usage level). In cold process soap, you can't really choose what your support fat oil will be. The lye is still active enough that it's using whatever. So, the end result is that most of the oils in the recipe okay a part in the super far. Bastile just means multiple vegetable oil recipe with the biggest amount bring olive oil. And honestly, the industry standard is that castile is at least 40% olive oil and the rest is other vegetable oils. That's been the commercial standard for years like Mrs Meyers, Dr Bronners, etc
I’d like to make soap from lard simply because we are farmers and it’s available.. I can render it down but do you recommend a good tallow bar for a beginner? Thanks.
Thank you for this video! I have a question ...I have made THREE soap loaves and they seem to leave a drying affect after washing my hands. Will I be able to place one back in the crockpot and then add the super fat? This never happened before
Honestly, it's not worth trying in my opinion. But, I guess if you want to experiment. Grate the soap as finely as you can. Then add a little oil (not sure how much but you might be able to figure out percentage since you know the super day). After adding the oil, turn heat on medium and mix the soap and oil or maybe glycerine. Then check every 5 to 10 minutes and stir gently so you don't create any sure. Once it's all combined well, you'll have to push it into the mold and pack it down. Maybe add some weight on top of it. Now let it rest for a few days and check every so often to see when you can cut it. Once cut, I would let it cure for at least a month after that. I'm not really into rematching because it just never turns out the same.
Hey John I got a bit of a problem. I made olive oil soap. I saw your video of canola is just as good. Saw and bought a cheap soybean oil at costco. I used the soapcalc you recommended. 90 soybean oil and 10 coconut oil. used the stick blender to bring it to a slight trace. I then added 4% superfat (coconut oil & essential oils) in after trace. I poured, but in the morning it was very soft. Do you know why? Any tips on how to tweak the recipe to fix it? reduce water? use another superfat? increase the lye? I don't want to waste a bunch of batches out to figure it out. Thanks for your time John.
When you address the superfat, did you blend some more? It to needs to come to trace. That's why it's recommended to add all the base oils at once when doing cold process. You really can't decide too much as to which oils will be your main superfat. Other than that, it could just need more time in the mold before cutting or less water.
Start by using a lye calculator online like soapcalc.net. Keep in mind that they are designed for using sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or a combination. In many places in the world, caustic soda isn't pure or has many fillers in it. So please be cautious using it for soap unless you really trust the source.
I've tried 4 different soap calculators and I guess they are smarter than me. These are the proportions I use and it works like clockwork every single time. 24 ounces lard, 3 ounces lye and 7.5 ounces water. Could you tell me please if this is a super fat soap? Thank you for your time. Love your videos.
That depends... Why such a high super fat? What oils did you use for this recipe? Most soaps don't need that high of a super fat. That's usually reserved for a straight coconut oil soap.
Unfortunately, excessive super fat can't be fixed. I would go for a 10% super fat at most. I would also not use olive oil for the super fat.. maybe something lighter.
What im confused about is when you use soapcal i dont see where the super fat is added into the ingredients.. How do you add the %5 super fat? Or is already added in by the amount of lye it tells you to put in?
Yep! It goes by the lye that you add or leave out. So if you plug in 5% SF, the calculator figures that amount of extra oil into the recipe across the board. Of you want to do it manually, you set it at 0% and then add 5% or more of the oil or fat of your choice. Just remember.. if you're doing cold process, you can't choose which oil will be your super fat.. the lye takes what it wants to. Hot process you might be able to steer it some. But, it's not worth the trouble to try in most cases.
Hey.. Thanks for the video.. I'm a beginner at soap making.. I've tried soapcalc and have made a few batches of soaps with superfat% as 0..if I'm making a soap with oils as 1000grams and decide to have 5% super fat, should my oils be at 1000g plus 5% super fat oil or my over all oils including super fat oil should weigh 1000grams..thank you!!
All of them really. In cold process we really have no say in which would are going to be in the super fat number. It's probably a little of each oil. In hot process, you can narrow it down a little by holding your support fat oil until close to the end and then adding it. But even then I wouldn't worry about it.
@@Bullkie I generally use the bath soap we make as well as the beard and hair shampoo that we make. I like to alternate between them. Although, I will say that for me, it's not necessary to use a soap or shampoo more than a couple times a week. I use a stuff brush and the hot water from the shower only most days.
It can sometimes. Different brands of olive oil aren't always 100% olive oil. There's not always a way to tell unless you get an expensive virgin olive oil in many cases. But, treat even the cheapest olive oil the same when doing your recipe and you should be pretty good with the finished soap.
I'm with you John, While I don't want my soap to strip my skin, it's soap... I prefer HP because I can add my superfat after gel, but going all nuts with designs is not my focus.
Funny!! My son just qualified for the Boston marathon!, I have had 2 foot surgeries and am happy to walk in the yard!! Great soap video!!
Very cool Jon. I like the way you keep things simple. Most of the soap making videos out there tend to over complicate things. I would love to see a beginner's soap making equipment guide.
Just discovered your channel but this is the most comprehensive explanation by far !
I have to say, being a soap maker (hobbyist) I'm well aware of what super fatting is. I always watch your videos though because I love your channel and the great way you explain things. Keep up the amazing work!
Thanks!
I am glad you elaborated on the fact that you cant choose what oils are super fats. I was going to ask that question. Thanks.
You’re the best thank you for answering a question I had been stressing about. I thought I was doing something wrong. I been doing it right all this time. ☺️
I absolutely love straight to the point all the useless rambling make me loose focus on what I really need this is why I enjoy your vids the most thk u
I still ramble..lol. But I try to keep it somewhat on track🤣
Thank you.
Hey Uncle Jon!
Personally, I dont think you are dragging on at all. I enjoy watching your videos because you keep it simple, informative and straight to the point. Thanks a bunch!!!!
Thanks so much, because I was so confused about the whole 6 %, 8 % etc superfat, didn't really understand when and where to add it, you broke it down very well
Excellent lesson. You need to start making lotion. I need your simplified teaching.
Finally, a soap maker who isn't all fluffy bunny. Thank you!
Oh I agree. Sprinkles and fairy dust. You can keep it.
Thanks for simple soap making concept.
I appreciate this video. Informative and straightforward! Most try to make it sound so complicated
Thankyou for explaining things in a simple, easy to understand terms.
I'm looking at starting to make my own soap and seeing all the different oils, butters and such was scaring the crap out of me!
KISS - Keep it simple stupid! Thanks Jon! I'm a newbie and in the research stage. Was getting overwhelmed with all of the information and over thinking it. Glad I came across your video. Going back to the KISS method lol. Have a fantastic day!
Thank you, you are the best teacher for soap making
Finally a simple explanation! Thank you!
I make lotion. My skin prefers it. I use 1-2 oils..
2:23 thank you for the simplicity. There’s 20+ minute videos out there APPARENTLY explaining superfat.🤷♂️
I have listened about coconut oil... It seems its drying BC , I am not always right, its a reaction between lye and coconut oil..
I enjoyed this video thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi, Uncle John,
Thanks for another great video (I just found this. In fact, I have been your subscriber since not too long ago and I have been watching your old videos, one at a time and loving them all!) Would enjoy all kind of outdoor DIY, adventure, self sustainability, etc. Wouldn't mind it all in one same channel. Love your no-frills style. Keep the good job.
Nice job explaining. Thanks.
Coconut oil in my area tend to harsh to cleanse, so i make my soap with minimum 20 % superfat.
Thank you so much! I finally understand this topic now! You always keep things simple and explain it so I can understand. I appreciate all your videos!
Excellent and simple explanation!
Most people don’t seem to be able to keep from overcomplicating this stuff haha
You use the cold process method for your shaving soap I just can't wrap my head around that I have to use Hot Process I only use the cold process for my bar soaps because it pours into my 3D printed mold so easily. Always watch your video Have a great night Jon and thanks for transferring the knowledge.
Donald Youngner I make a dual-lye hot process shave soap. I find it is the best lathering and stands up to a long shave session the best.
He said because he has a business to run
Thank you Jon for the information out of all the videos I’ve watched you’re video were the most helpful
Thanks!
LOL I always thought that soap was not where the soft came into play. That is what lotions are for and that type of thing. I mean I do not want a super stripping harsh soap... Also makes me think of my son starting to bake bread. He wanted to start with baguettes. I was like try basic white bread first.
Nice video ❤
Great video Jon hope to see you soon.
Ooh rah semper fi!
hi and thanks for the vid. just found your channel :) i have a question, will 'superfatting' soap make the bar feel slippier than soap that hasnt been superfatted? thanks, much love from the UK xx
You always improve our knowledge of soap making, keep it up, thanks once again.
Is there any benefit to going lower than 5% for bath soap, like 3%? Thank you very much for posting these helpful videos!
You really helped me a lot thanx from Egypt
Very well explained, John. Thank you.☺️ Iris
Excellent video...thanks for simplifying the process based on what is really important in soap making! Cheers!
What can I add to melt and pour soaps to make the bars harder
Thanks Jon,I posted on on your other video that use shea butter with my olive and coconut oil, it came out soft I hope it's alright.
What about a 2,3% supeefat for Cold process shampoo bars?
That would work but I would definitely add extra glycerin or bring the super fat up to at least 5%. It's still going to be a little harder on hair than synthetic soaps or shampoos.
@@unclejonssoap Thanks for replying! So using only high saponifiable oils/butters is ideal for them huh?
That's been my experience. Although, you can add things to the soap to help. It's going to take some experimentation. Chelators are going to be your friend here.
Very awesome information Jon! I’m always learning! Thank you man!
What are your thoughts on tallow soaps? Maybe not a total tallow. Maybe a 50/50 tallow and olive oil. I’m looking to create a good winter soap for my husband who suffers from horribly dry itchy winter skin. Lotions and salves don’t help and commercial soaps/body washes make it worse.
I like tallow a lot! I would go 75% tallow and 25% coconut oil as a base recipe. Or a 100% tallow would be good too.
Tallow is easy to get if you get the cheap ground beef and strain the fat off yourself. Make a few batches of chili and save the fat. I've done it a few times and it made great soap.
@@wynngwynn thanks. My comment was a while ago. Since then I have been using tallow in my soaps like crazy 🥰
At 4:53, im confused! If you made a bastille, i thought you had to add either extra olive oil or extra coconut oil to make that your superfat. I have 2 other questions.. If you added some hemp oil to your bastille after it reaches a light trace, and then mix it to a heavier trace, would it use the hemp oil as the superfat? Also, is a water discount the same as getting a superfat?
Water discount actually just makes things move faster. Sorry far is just more oil than you need to get soap to a zero sum (safe usage level). In cold process soap, you can't really choose what your support fat oil will be. The lye is still active enough that it's using whatever. So, the end result is that most of the oils in the recipe okay a part in the super far. Bastile just means multiple vegetable oil recipe with the biggest amount bring olive oil. And honestly, the industry standard is that castile is at least 40% olive oil and the rest is other vegetable oils. That's been the commercial standard for years like Mrs Meyers, Dr Bronners, etc
@@unclejonssoap Thanks. Still not made cold process yet, im holding off until i learn more about everything first.
Also.. hot process is pretty much the same way.
I thought super fat was that last 20 pounds you just can’t seem to lose no mater what. 😜
That too ...lol
Lol
good explanation.. this is what i need... thank you.. :)
I’d like to make soap from lard simply because we are farmers and it’s available.. I can render it down but do you recommend a good tallow bar for a beginner? Thanks.
Either way would be fine as long as you know how to properly render the lard. Very simple soaps to make 😁
Thank you for explaining things in a easy to understand way. I am brand new at soapmaking and can use lots of good advice!
Glad I could help 😁
Can I ask u how much to super fat for a 47 oz palm coconut and olive oil 5 percent still feels too harsh
Can you also do different kinds of olive oil, I've heard some trace faster than others.
You can use different types. I've heard that most trace about the same except for pomace which seems faster.
Thank you for this video! I have a question ...I have made THREE soap loaves and they seem to leave a drying affect after washing my hands. Will I be able to place one back in the crockpot and then add the super fat? This never happened before
Honestly, it's not worth trying in my opinion. But, I guess if you want to experiment. Grate the soap as finely as you can. Then add a little oil (not sure how much but you might be able to figure out percentage since you know the super day). After adding the oil, turn heat on medium and mix the soap and oil or maybe glycerine. Then check every 5 to 10 minutes and stir gently so you don't create any sure. Once it's all combined well, you'll have to push it into the mold and pack it down. Maybe add some weight on top of it. Now let it rest for a few days and check every so often to see when you can cut it. Once cut, I would let it cure for at least a month after that. I'm not really into rematching because it just never turns out the same.
Hey John I got a bit of a problem. I made olive oil soap. I saw your video of canola is just as good. Saw and bought a cheap soybean oil at costco. I used the soapcalc you recommended. 90 soybean oil and 10 coconut oil. used the stick blender to bring it to a slight trace. I then added 4% superfat (coconut oil & essential oils) in after trace. I poured, but in the morning it was very soft. Do you know why? Any tips on how to tweak the recipe to fix it? reduce water? use another superfat? increase the lye? I don't want to waste a bunch of batches out to figure it out. Thanks for your time John.
When you address the superfat, did you blend some more? It to needs to come to trace. That's why it's recommended to add all the base oils at once when doing cold process. You really can't decide too much as to which oils will be your main superfat. Other than that, it could just need more time in the mold before cutting or less water.
How to calculate lye and water percentage for cold process soap
Start by using a lye calculator online like soapcalc.net. Keep in mind that they are designed for using sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or a combination. In many places in the world, caustic soda isn't pure or has many fillers in it. So please be cautious using it for soap unless you really trust the source.
I've tried 4 different soap calculators and I guess they are smarter than me. These are the proportions I use and it works like clockwork every single time. 24 ounces lard, 3 ounces lye and 7.5 ounces water. Could you tell me please if this is a super fat soap? Thank you for your time. Love your videos.
Yep. Your soap is superfatted to roughly 7-8%.
@@unclejonssoap Thank you ☺️
I'd be interested in hearing what the difference is between Super Fat and water discount, if you have time. I found this video really helpful, thanks!
Super fat is adding extra oil for conditioning to the batch. Water discount is just using a little less water so the soap cures a little faster.
Thanks! That makes sense to me - higher relative lye percentage, faster cure.
Well.. the lye to oil ratio is the same but with less water it hardens sooner and cures faster for sure. 😁
Funny how my fiances term of affection is "hey my superfat!"
Thanks for video Jon
🤣
Show practical... Dude
I made a hp soap with 20% super fat I didn't like how it feel can I fix that ???
That depends... Why such a high super fat? What oils did you use for this recipe? Most soaps don't need that high of a super fat. That's usually reserved for a straight coconut oil soap.
the super fat was oilve oil infused with herps I did this as an experiment 🙄
so I was wandering if I can fix it instead of throwing it away 😁😁
I made it for my hair because I have damaged hair so I thought this might help my hair 😇
Unfortunately, excessive super fat can't be fixed. I would go for a 10% super fat at most. I would also not use olive oil for the super fat.. maybe something lighter.
@@unclejonssoap thanks a lot
I'm still learning and you've been very helpful
What im confused about is when you use soapcal i dont see where the super fat is added into the ingredients.. How do you add the %5 super fat? Or is already added in by the amount of lye it tells you to put in?
Yep! It goes by the lye that you add or leave out. So if you plug in 5% SF, the calculator figures that amount of extra oil into the recipe across the board. Of you want to do it manually, you set it at 0% and then add 5% or more of the oil or fat of your choice. Just remember.. if you're doing cold process, you can't choose which oil will be your super fat.. the lye takes what it wants to. Hot process you might be able to steer it some. But, it's not worth the trouble to try in most cases.
@@unclejonssoap thank you so much for the clarification..
Hey.. Thanks for the video.. I'm a beginner at soap making.. I've tried soapcalc and have made a few batches of soaps with superfat% as 0..if I'm making a soap with oils as 1000grams and decide to have 5% super fat, should my oils be at 1000g plus 5% super fat oil or my over all oils including super fat oil should weigh 1000grams..thank you!!
I would make it 1000g plus superfat. But it could go either way.
@@unclejonssoap thank you very much for a very quick response.. This clears the air for me.. Have a good one!
That’s exactly how I feel right now “Super Fat!” Lol
🤣
Which oils qualify as a super fat?
All of them really. In cold process we really have no say in which would are going to be in the super fat number. It's probably a little of each oil. In hot process, you can narrow it down a little by holding your support fat oil until close to the end and then adding it. But even then I wouldn't worry about it.
@@unclejonssoap thanks, just made my first batch. So I'm learning
Ha ha, when I saw the title pop up in my notification a snarkily said, "Me!" And then I saw your thumbnail. Snarky minds think alike?
🤣
Cool beard
Thanks! You as well!
@@unclejonssoap what do you use when washing your beard? Do you have favorite soap that you use just on your beard?
@@Bullkie I generally use the bath soap we make as well as the beard and hair shampoo that we make. I like to alternate between them. Although, I will say that for me, it's not necessary to use a soap or shampoo more than a couple times a week. I use a stuff brush and the hot water from the shower only most days.
@@unclejonssoap thank you for that insight, i make and use pine tar soap and do wash my beard everyday, thank you for the uploads.
Does the different brands or types of olive oil make some difference for the soap?
It can sometimes. Different brands of olive oil aren't always 100% olive oil. There's not always a way to tell unless you get an expensive virgin olive oil in many cases. But, treat even the cheapest olive oil the same when doing your recipe and you should be pretty good with the finished soap.
@@unclejonssoap Thank you!
No one wants something from me, unless I am on the phone. Go all day long get on the phone, whoop their they are. lol
My phone only rings when I'm super busy or driving a car.
I think they should have called it SupRA fat as its describing the 'excess' fat in the bar.
Been too long to change it now...lol
Just talking talking...
Lol.. well we're not all chemists. 🤣