Rebatching Techniques

Bramble Berry's Liquid Recommendations

Because of the freshness of Bramble Berry's rebatch bases we recommend only adding liquid if the consistency of the soap needs it after melting. Start by adding just 2 tablespoons of liquid per pound of soap. Adding too much liquid to your rebatch can greatly increase the time it takes to fully harden. 

Rebatching/Hand-milling directions

(Stove Top, Bagged):

 

NOTE: Rebatch Soap is never quite as smooth as cold process or melt and pour.

  1. In an 8-quart pot, fill halfway with water and bring to a boil.
  2. While waiting for water to boil, grate soap base - use either a cheese grater or a food processor with grating blade installed.
  3. Put the gratings into either an oven bag or a heavy weight gallon zip lock bag. If using an oven bag, close securely with either a rubber band or a twist tie. If using the zip lock bag, double bag the soap gratings; sealing each bag.
  4. Place in pot of boiling water, cover with lid.
  5. Turn down to medium or low heat, and boil for 1 hour.
  6. While waiting for the hour to pass, this would be a great time to:
    *Prepare molds by spraying lightly with vegetable spray for easy release of soap.
    *Prepare herbs, fragrances, essential oils, colorants and other nutrients now.
    *Place small towel on counter where you can mush/knead the soap in the bag.
  7. After the hour has passed, use oven mitts to remove bag from pot (Careful! It’s hot!), place on counter (covered with the small towel) and gently mush/knead bag until it has an even consistency – it should have a smooth texture, like a thin mashed potatoes or goo.
  8. If you still see a few soap gratings, return to pot for another 20-30 minutes and then repeat step 7. If after the additional time in the pot you still see soap that has not reached the desired consistency, add 2 Tablespoons to 1/4 cup of liquid (water or milk, your choice!) to each pound of soap gratings. Back into the pot for 20-30 minutes.
  9. Once you have reached your desired consistency, remove from pot (Don’t forget your oven mitts!) and add your ‘goodies’ to the soap base. Re-close the bag(s) and mush/knead well to distribute the ‘goodies’ properly.
  10. Now, snip off the corner of the bag and pipe into molds.
  11. Lay a layer of plastic wrap or wax paper on top of soap and smooth.
  12. Let soap cool completely then pop out of molds.
  13. If you have added extra liquid, let cure for a few days to a few weeks (depending on how much liquid you added) until hardened – this will extend the life of your soap.
  14. You are done! Clean up is minimal: Toss bags in trash, rinse out pot, and go put your feet up! You deserve it!

Rebatching in the Microwave

- submitted by Ginny N.

Though it probably isn't the best way, it is fast.

Works best with really new soap, mine is always rebatched the day it comes out of the mold.

  1. Grate the soap and put into a glass bowl.
  2. Sprinkle about 1/8 cup of water per pound onto the soap and microwave for 1 minute. Stir and microwave for another minute. Repeat this until the soap is similar to thick mashed potatoes.
  3. Add more water by sprinkling it over the soap and stir until it's to the consistency of thinner mashed potatoes. Add extra fragrance, or botanicals to this and stir well.
  4. Spoon into mold (or molds) and tap on counter a few times to help settle and remove air pockets. Leave for 24 hours. Unmold and allow to sit for an hour, cut into bars.

Thanks to Pam S. for sending in this wonderful tip on making Rebatch Soap:

'I just read your rebatch technique, and we use one that results in a much nicer finished product:

Take a pound of shredded rebatch soap, put in an oven safe bowl, non aluminum, pour a cup of liquid over it, we use goat milk, stir it up good and let stand covered over night.

Next day stir again, cover with foil and put in oven at 200 degrees for about 90 minutes, it will be nicely liquid.

Blend in your fragrance, color, botanicals, and pour in molds, let stand 24 hours, then freeze, they will pop right out of the molds, then let dry for a few days to a couple of weeks and they will be as hard as the original cold process soap, works great!'

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