u/Extension_Skirt7764

Took the advice here and cut the first loaves much earlier — glad I did.

Batch two is another all-tallow cold process run, but this time I split part of it into exfoliating utility bars with red quinoa mixed into the soap and a little on top for texture and a lil flair!

The first batch already feels noticeably different after cure started — firmer, drier, and less waxy than day one.

Appreciate all the support and feedback. I’m planning to pull them around the 20ish hour mark again and please ignore the pizza boxes! 😳

First vet visit since I adopted Wilco today and they asked if she was still taking 3 different meds…not a word of medication when they dropped her off with me. I was feeling guilty for considering putting her on something because she’s so stressed and loud at home whenever someone comes or goes in the building…my bad for not getting her in to see the vet asap, but damn that pisses me off that they didn’t say anything!!

Making candles with a 70/30 tallow/beeswax blend in 3.5” black bubble tins. Unusual base I know — most of what I’ve read assumes soy or paraffin so I’m figuring some of this out as I go.
Been running a side-by-side wick test — wood wick vs cotton — over four burns. Both wicks are Amazon sourced, nothing premium. Here’s what I’ve found:
Wood wick: Needed a char trim before the second burn — once I snapped the tip it came alive. Wide amber melt pool, stable flame, improving each burn.
Cotton: Tunneling consistently. Small pool, weak flame. Hasn’t improved burn to burn.
Photo from burn 4 — wood on the left, cotton on the right. The difference is pretty clear at this point.
A few things I’m still figuring out:
• My wood wick is Amazon generic — what size would you actually recommend for a 3.5” diameter with a dense tallow/beeswax blend?
• Is two smaller wood wicks a better call than one medium for this diameter?
• Anyone else working with tallow or high-fat blends? Curious if the density is what’s killing the cotton.

Made my first soap batch this weekend and figured this community would give me honest feedback.
Straight beef tallow, cold process, 5% superfat, no additives. The tallow came from beef trim, not suet or organ fat. Rendered it myself.
Poured at thin trace — looked like pancake batter which had me nervous — but it set up nicely. No zap on the loaves, very slight sensation on the bottom of one pan which I’m attributing to moisture.
Pulled one overflow piece at about 19 hours to test — firm, reasonably clean cut, no lather yet but hands felt genuinely clean without that squeaky stripped feeling.
The main loaves are at about 36 hours right now. Planning to leave them until closer to 48 before unmolding and cutting. Any reason not to wait? Will they suffer at all for the extra time?
Photos are from the 19-hour overflow piece and the loaves as they sit now.

She ignores grass most of the year, but when these fresh spring shoots come up she actively seeks them out and grazes like a tiny deer.

Doesn’t seem like upset stomach behavior — it looks intentional. She sniffs around and selects certain patches.

Plott thing? Dog thing? Weird Wilco thing?

Curious what others have seen.