As a soap maker I have made hundreds of batches using both processes. I'm beginning to prefer cold process over hot process so my curing rack is getting very full. If you have no idea what I'm talking about here's the breakdown.
Cold Process
Lye solution and oils are combined to trace. They are immediately placed in molds and the chemical process of converting into soap takes place over the course of 2 weeks. Soap goes through a "gel phase" and hardens overnight. It is then placed on a rack for up to 6 weeks. The first two weeks are for the soap to neutralize completely after that, it helps to keep it there for the bar to harden as moisture within the bars evaporate slowly.
Hot Process
Once lye solution and oils are combined to trace. Soap "batter" is cooked in a crock pot for 3 hours to speed up gel phase and then placed in molds to cure and harden. As soon as soap in molds is solid, the soap can be used. It does still help to allow hot process to cure for a few days on a rack. The bar is softer and has a rougher texture than cold process. This is the way people have made soap for thousands of years (over an open fire in a kettle, not in a crock pot of course!)
Hope you found this blurb informative! Enjoy the holidays :)
-Kim
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