Hot process soap making is similar to cold process soap making except for one important difference - after the oils and lye solution have been mixed, the soap is then heated (forced to "cook") in a crock pot before it is turned into the mold.  The crockpot speeds up the saponification (process of making soap when the oils, fats, lye water, etc.  turn into soap and glycerin).  Curing time for soap is shorter with hot process soap making, within 2-3 weeks.  It can also require less essential oils or fragrance oils.

Information is provided by my experience and from soap makers such as Edens Garden and The Nova Studio.

I have not made any hot process soaps but will be doing so in the future.  I really like the look of this type of soap - kind of a simply rugged look as it does need to be stylish, just needs to wash hands well!

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