Simple Instructions for Making Handmade Soap in a Crock Pot

Making soap in a crock pot is an easy way to use the "hot process" method. 

This how-to soap making tutorial outlines my steps for making crock pot soap with the assumption that you are somewhat familiar with the soap-making process. 

Start with a good recipe.  I prefer recipes that have a higher amount of liquid oil to solids. One of my favorite recipes is very simple:  60% Olive Oil, 20% Palm Kernel Oil, 20% Palm Oil.  Run it through a lye calculator to determine the amount of lye and [distilled] water needed.  I don't discount my water when making hot process.  (One of my favorite recipes is at the end of these instructions.)

I use a 6 1/2 quart crock pot.  A 4 pound batch of soaps fits perfectly.  It fills the crock pot about half full - giving room in the case of it bubbling up, but not too little an amount that it could burn.

First, measure water and set aside. 

Then measure the lye into a separate container.  Slowly pour the lye into the pitcher of cold water.  Stir until dissolved.  Set aside in a safe place.

Once I have my lye mixture set aside, I measure my solid oils.  These can be put into the crock pot to be melted.  But, it takes longer this way, so I generally put them into the microwave for a couple minutes until melted and then pour into the crock pot. 

At this point, my crock pot is on low.

I recommend using a good rubber spatula to scrape the bowl - no sense leaving any good oils behind.

Next, I measure my olive oil - and/or any other liquid oils I happen to be using - and pour this into the crock pot.

Get out your handy-dandy stick blender and using low speed, slowly pour the lye mixture into the melted oils.  Gently move the stick blender around, up, down, around, ensuring a nice even blend.  If you don't have a stick blender, a stainless steel wire whisk works great too - just requires a little more arm power.

Once it has reached 'trace', I put the lid on the crock pot and turn the heat setting up to high. However, the first few times I made crock pot soap, I left it on low until I was confident in how it worked (both the soap AND my crock pot).

Now, I ready my mold, measure out any fragrance oils or essential oils and any additives I plan to use.

After about 15 or 20 minutes, I take the lid off and, using a potato masher, mash the soap around.  It has a look of a Vaseline texture; glossy, slick.  It will have a waxy feel if you rub a piece of it between gloved fingers. 

Add your additives, colorants, herbs, etc and mix well using the potato masher.  Once that is blended fairly well, add your fragrance and mix again.

It is done! At this point, it's really soap.  It only needs to be put into your mold.  I do this in large spoonfuls, pounding my mold on the counter every few scoops to ensure it packs into the mold tightly.  Once I have it all in the mold, I put a baggie on my hand and flatten the top - making sure to "squish" it into the corners really well. 

Now is a good time to wash all the dishes.  And you don't even need to add any soap!  You should see some lovely lather from the soap you've just made. 

I let this sit over-night.  The next morning, I un-mold and slice into soap bars to air out for a week or so.  Once each bar has had time to harden, I bevel each one and it's ready for use, or sale.

My favorite crock pot soap recipe:

Rosemary Mint Handmade Soap

4 pounds

- 38 ounces olive oil (59.38%)

- 14.4 ounces palm kernel oil (22.5%)

- 11.6 ounces palm oil (18.13%)

- 8.7 ounces sodium hydroxide (5% discount)

- 17.5 ounces distilled water

- 3 ounces rosemary mint blend essential oils

- 2 teabags of Organic Peppermint tea

Disclaimer:  Sodium Hydroxide is highly caustic and should be handled carefully and knowledgeably.  It is the soapmakers responsibility to research safety procedures for soapmaking.