About 'Gel phase' in Cold Process Soap Making. What is it? Why consider it? How does it work?

A nice example of one of my cold process soap recipes going through a full gel phase, plus a discussion about gelling soap in cold process soap making: What is 'gel phase', why you might want to consider it for your recipes, and how to promote or discourage gelling of your handmade soap for different reasons.

My accompanying blog post about 'gel phase' for cold process soap making:

Link to my cold process laundry soap recipe video:

Blog post (written recipe) for my laundry soap recipe:

Links to my favourite soap making books (second half of the page) including Kevin Dunn's 'Scientific Soap Making' mentioned in the video:

More technical information about soap making on my Soap Making Terms page on my website:

DISCLAIMER
The information provided in my videos and website is based on my own personal research and experience and is provided for informational purposes only. While I take the utmost care to ensure that the recipes and information I provide are accurate and calculated without error, I am not a professional soap manufacturer, nor do I have formal qualifications in chemistry or skincare formulation (or any other related field) and I make no guarantees about the correctness of the information presented. I am not responsible for the consequences of the application or misapplication of any of the information I provide. Use the information in my videos and on my website at your own risk.

Copyright © Elly’s Everyday 2021

[_Diana_S]

Thank, Elly, for your wonderful educational videos. I call them "Soapmaking University". Not only you explain all the intricacies of the craft, but you do it an easy, relaxed manner that really is very helpful when dealing with this rather complicated process. You are the best!

[rodrigopirolo]

As a foreigner, your English is smooth like silk! I don't feel the need even for subtitles, it's so easy to understand. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[SimpleBonVivant]

Wow, I've been making soap for about 10 years, and I never knew why some of my soaps had "strange" more translucent patches. And when friends told me my soap lasts so much longer than store bought soap, I never knew the reason! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I'll be trying to gel my soaps from now on. :)

[rukeobius]

I am a new cold process soap maker and this was so educational. Thank you.

[joyaghosh]

Hey loved this one, I am going to buy that book.
Listening to your voice is so relaxing. I can imagine when George of Dawn Organics says that his mom sleeps off on listening to your videos 😀😀😀

[helanna]

Thank you for all the helpful information you have given us on youtube. Much appreciated.

[MissouriHomemaking]

I have really been trying to perfect my basic soap, and this gave me an understanding of what I’ve been struggling with! And how to move forward! Thank you!! 😊

[CarolinaGirlCreationZ]

You are so awesome Ms. Elly! I absolutely LOVE your videos and as a super new soap maker, you give me a bit more confidence that I can do it. Thank you so much for your lessons and your kind nature to teaching. I really do love it!

[terryannsweeney]

As always I learn something new from every one of your videos! I did not know that gelled soap would make a harder longer lasting bar, that is so fascinating! I usually CPOP… I once pulled a Soap out too early and cut it before it was completely gelled. I was very disappointed in the way it looked… So I decided to turn the oven back on, and put the soap back in, and low and behold… It worked!! Just thought I would share One of my experiences! Thank you for a great tutorial, and have a great day!!

[CabbagePatchSoap]

Great video! I love the vibrant colors in gelled soaps :)

[yuliiaprymachenko]

Thank you very much for this video🙂You are great. Perhaps the best explanation I've ever heard.

[TheHeirloomBeautyCo]

Thank you for this. I was looking for gel information and your video was just what I was looking for. So very helpful!

[bellyfulochelly]

The increase in longevity for the soap is just one more reason that I prefer hot process.
With HP, it's all gel, all the time. 👍

[RNatesha]

Its the weekend so I my time to work on my craft/soap education and I got my book and took notes. Thank you Elly because I didn't understand what "jelling" meant. I love your videos. I am never going to stop saying that 😊.

[TheSimplesanctuary]

Thanks Elly for explaining gel phase. Another great explanation!

[IhmHomeFarm]

So helpful, always! I have found you and now I am binge watching❤️!

[belindaayewoh]

Excellent video. You are very knowledgeable and explain things so well that even a newbie feels confident enough to try. Well done!

[DawnOrganics]

I never knew these things regarding gelling and the benefits. Thanks for the video 🙏😊

[christinemikulanec]

I love watching your videos. I learn something new every time 😃 Thank you

[denaturalseeker]

Thanks so much, Mrs Elly. I learned much from you. I have partial gel in both oat soap and avocado soap. I use coconut oil not too much, only about 33%, and medium water 33% lye. in avocado, I used 10% water discount. I live in tropical climate area, so I don't find what is the cause for this partial gel. I poured lye solution right away, didn't wait them to cool down, if only they already looked clear and well disolved. could it be the reason for partial gel in my soap? TIA