Advanced Soapmaking: Hot Process Soap

We generally differentiate between two methods of making solid soap bars: cold process (often shortened to CP) and hot process (often shortened to HP).

As the name suggests, hot process soap is made at higher temperatures than cold process soap. This affects the soapmaking method as well as the properties of the finished soap.

Cold process soapmaking is the ideal place to start if you are new to soapmaking. When you have experience with cold process soapmaking it’s time to learn hot process soapmaking!

Benefits of hot process soap

Soap bars are zero-waste, cost-effective, economical to make in terms of time (one batch makes lots of soap bars), preservative free and they have a long shelf-life.

There are several extra benefits to making hot process soap:

1. Quick to make = very economical in terms of time and money. Especially if working at high temperatures, the whole process can be very quick, even 30 minutes from start to finish.
2. Shorter cure time = ready to use sooner. Hot process soap bars can be used straight away since the saponification is finished before the soap is poured into the mold (in cold process soapmaking you need to wait 4-6 weeks for your soap to cure).
3. No soda ash. Soda ash is seen as a white dusting, or ash, on the top of cold process soap, which can be aesthetically unpleasant. Because unreacted lye is not in contact with air in hot process soap, the soap does not form soda ash.
4. Easy cleanup. As saponification is complete when we finish the soapmaking process, the tools and equipment are fairly easy to clean, since it contains soap and not lots of oils.
5. Control over superfat = more nourishing soap. Superfat is ‘extra fat’ that does not react with the lye and turn into soap but instead makes the finished bars more nourishing. In hot process soapmaking the superfat is added after the saponification is done, so you can control which oils are in the superfat portion. For example, you can make the base soap recipe using olive oil and coconut oil, and then add shea butter as the ‘superfat’ to take advantage of its nourishing properties.

Want to learn a bit more about hot process soap before enrolling? Read our blog posts: 10 Reasons to Make Hot Process Soap and Cold Process vs Hot Process Soap: A Quick Guide

Ready to discover hot process soapmaking?

If you have already made at least a few batches of cold process soap and would like to learn how to make hot process soap, we have the perfect class for you!

Advanced Soapmaking: Hot Process Soap is a detailed class that covers everything you need to know to make hot process soap safely and successfully. Containing two detailed step-by-step videos showing you exactly how to make both low temperature and high temperature hot process soap (plus what to do in the case of a ‘soap volcano’), a beautiful and detailed class textbook to download, tried-and-tested recipes to follow and tutor support from a master soapmaker, you’ll have everything you to need to create exceptional hot process soap.

Please note: As this is an advanced class you will either need to have taken our Cold Process Soapmaking course as a prerequisite OR have sufficient experience of making cold process soap before accessing the class.

We recommend that you take Advanced Soapmaking: Hot Process Soap once you are confident in your ability to make cold process soap, you understand the theory of saponfication and have made at least three batches of cold process soap. If you aren’t sure if you are ready for Advanced Soapmaking: Hot Process Soap take our quick quiz and our course advisor will be in touch to advise you. Take the quiz here.

Advanced Soapmaking: Hot Process Soap includes four in-depth lessons:

4. HOT PROCESS SOAP RECIPES

• Basic Nourishing Soap with Shea Butter
• Cocoa Butter Soap
• Oatmeal Honey Soap
• Milk and Yogurt Soap

Not a member of the Club? Join now and use your first month's credits towards the Advanced Soapmaking: Hot Process Soap class.

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Find out more about the Club

Advanced Soapmaking: Hot Process Soap is a 100-credit class. Your membership includes 50 credits each month, giving you the choice to top up 50 credits ($57) for immediate access, or simply wait until next month and unlock it then.