Pros & Cons of Working with Thick Trace in Cold Process Soap

One of the most challenging things when you're first figuring out how to make soap is - hands down - how to control trace. There's quite a learning curve in seeing the different stages of trace in cold process soap. Your batter will normally go from emulsification to light trace (thin pancake batter) to medium trace (light pudding batter) to thick trace (pudding batter) the more you stickblend or the longer you let your batter sit.

Thick trace in cold process soap can work with some recipes, techniques and designs but not in others. #coldprocess #soap #soapmaking — thick trace holds it's shape, the trailing will not sink into the batter

Thick trace is what I want to talk about today. Thick trace is what most beginners end up with when they first start to make soap and that's normal. It's mostly due to the fact that beginners have the tendency to stick blend for too long and that they're being told to soap at higher temperatures (around 110º F). Soaping at higher temps makes sure that rookies don't encounter "false trace", a state where the soap batter looks emulsified but really isn't, and will separate over time. If you're a beginner simply know that with a little practice it's o.k. to soap cooler if you're aiming for light trace.

Ideally you want to get to a point in your soaping journey where you can control trace, and make an informed decision about what consistency you're aiming to achieve for your desired design. That's why I thought it might be helpful to talk about thick trace, because it has some merits, but also some downsides.

So, let's dive in, shall we?

Pros of Soaping at Thick Trace

it's great for layered designs - the batter will easily support another layer on top with out breaking through
it's great for textured tops
it's essential for piping
it's basically a must if you're making confetti soap, otherwise all your little pieces will sink to the bottom
your soap will reach gel phase faster
you will be able to unmold your soap sooner
less soda ash!!! - yasss, who doesn't want that? this is due to the fact that the soap goes into gel faster and therefore there is less chance for unsaponified soap molecules to react with the oxygen in the air and form soda ash

Cons of Soaping at Thick Trace

it's much harder to work in colors, you run the risk that your color material stays clumpy or doesn't color the batter evenly
there's a greater chance for air bubbles to remain in the finished soap, so give it an extra tap or two on your kitchen counter after you pour
intricate wispy swirls won't work
designs that involve a long time to do won't work either, since the batter will have set up by the time you're done
it's harder to fill your mold evenly and perfectly level, but you can even it out with a spatula

I like working with thick trace, it's a lot of fun to play around with. When I plan to use colors, I try to stick blend to light trace, separate the batch, work the colors in and let it sit until it thickens up. I also like that I seem to have more time to work, since the batter is already thick and it will take quite a while for it to really set up. Thick trace is also my go-to consistency when I'm doing a quick, no fuss, one colored batch.

Looking for tutorials that involve thick trace? Check these out!

Until next time. Happy Tinkering!