Essentially Soap

Rating:
Summary: No more, no less than all the others
Review: As a chemical engineer with 16 years experience, I probably have different expectations than most, although I've never worked in the soap industry. Still, I expected this book by the self-styled Dr. Bob (an appellation that I find extremely irritating) to be far more technical and chemically oriented than it was.

Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad book for beginners and intermediate soapers. It is written in a highly readable style, with humor and encouragement for beginners. There is a nice section on basic fragrance chemistry (which I would love to see expanded) and a discussion on colorants that's as good as most other books. I'm also not so bent out of shape about the plentiful photos as some other reviewers are, except to say that the color control is poor, and any photographer worth his / her salt should know enough to wipe off the bars before taking the pictures. Some of the soap does appear as excessively crumbly, which looks like Dr. Bob should heed his own advice and check their lye content.

In fact, most of his soap formulations are too lye heavy, not a good thing when dealing with the inexperienced soapmakers to whom this book is apparently aimed. I also think that far too many pages are wasted on kiddy Melt and Pour, from which I run away screaming because of the solvents and additives in that purchased product. The stated aim of this book is the cold process method, but I wish the author had also discussed hot-process methods instead of dismissing them with one line. After all, he's had at least some industrial experience that should give him insight on adapting hot process at home.

The INS information was quite interesting, and I wish that a discussion on its history / use and that of the related iodine values had been included. Other reviewers stated that their INS calcs on his formulas are much lower than his stated ideal of 160; I did not find this to be true. Of the four I calculated (before I got tired of that game),the INS ranged from 152 - 158, for whatever that's worth. Perhaps earlier reviewers mistakenly included the weight of the lye along with the oils in their INS calcs.

In short, this book was no better and no worse than 99% of every other recent soap book. If am disappointed, it's because I expected so much more cool technical stuff from a PhD chemist. I wanted a bridge between dry chemical industry journals and the "let's make cute soaps at home" books currently flooding the market. I hope that he will eventually write something of the sort. If not, maybe I will. Anybody interested?

Rating:
Summary: A very interesting book
Review: I am a veteran soapmaker and really enjoyed this book.

Rating:
Summary: I Disagree with Disappointing
Review: I purchased "Essentially Soap" soon after its debut in April 2000. I have been hoping for a newer and different book to add to the reference section of my collection. I wanted a book with basic information and not just recipes and pretty photos. I am glad to have this book not on the shelf, but at my fingertips when I make soap. I decided to wait to write a review until I had time to read it cover to cover and to use the recipes. "Dr. Bob" has done an incredible job of providing just the right amount of information on the processes of CP soap making. It is a book that both novice and more experienced soap makers will find valuable and encyclopedic in its content. One does not have to be a Chemist to understand the make-up of the oils used in soap and why varying the combinations of oils will yield different results in the finished bar. I was able to easily modify or create a new recipe from scratch using the SAP values and INS charts provided. I refer often to the chapters on herbs and essential oils. The Safety Section is easily read and understood. The chapter on "what went wrong" has helped me understand the "why" of the few less-than -perfect batches that I have made. I am able rebatch all of my soap scraps and the cosmetically challenged bars. I have used the information on melt and pour techniques to provide a safe and fun soap making experience for young children. There have been several comments on the soap making forums and in the review section about Dr. Bob's methods for soap making. It is somewhat different than the method of CP soap making traditionally used by many of us. Dr. Bob does work at higher temps and does not insulate. His method is a variation and, in my opinion, a welcome development on an old technique. It works well for me. Many modern-day soap makers think of Gel stage and insulation as absolutely necessary, although neither appears to have been part of the soap making process used by our grandmothers. The lye I use now is a far cry from the product leached from wood ashes. We use stainless steel pots inside our modern kitchens instead of an iron pot over a wood fire. Our "modern " soap is much more skin friendly than the soft, often lye heavy bar of the past. I am glad for the changes to easily found and reliable sources for lye, oils, fragrance and other additives that are currently available. I am equally glad for the techniques, information and recipes found in "Essentially Soap."

Rating:
Summary: Just don't START with this book. . .
Review: if you're a beginner, or you'll likely end up as I did - frustrated. There's a world of information on the Internet and in the books by Coss and by Cavitch which is more reliable than this book. Most of all, DON'T use the "no-weigh" recipe Dr Bob offers for beginners (using a can of Crisco). As a complete novice, I saw that recipe, thought "I don't REALLY need a scale to make soap," and wasted tons of time and ingredients without a single usable bar. You do need to have a scale and make accurate measurements, and you should always double check your recipes. Other reviewers already point out that Dr Bob's recipes tend to be either too superfat or too lye-heavy, which is really confusing for the inexperienced soaper who doesn't know what went wrong, especially since he glosses over gelling and tracing. I have had one of his recipes work very well, but in contrast, I haven't had a single one of Coss' recipes fail me yet. And finally, this book is UGLY. The other books are much more attractive (and inspiring) in layout, design, quality of printing, and most of all in the soaps themselves. Sorry Dr Bob, I sold my copy at a yardsale.

Rating:
Summary: Just don't START with this book. . .
Review: if you're a beginner, or you'll likely end up as I did - frustrated. There's a world of information on the Internet and in the books by Coss and by Cavitch which is more reliable than this book. Most of all, DON'T use the "no-weigh" recipe Dr Bob offers for beginners (using a can of Crisco). As a complete novice, I saw that recipe, thought "I don't REALLY need a scale to make soap," and wasted tons of time and ingredients without a single usable bar. You do need to have a scale and make accurate measurements, and you should always double check your recipes. Other reviewers already point out that Dr Bob's recipes tend to be either too superfat or too lye-heavy, which is really confusing for the inexperienced soaper who doesn't know what went wrong, especially since he glosses over gelling and tracing. I have had one of his recipes work very well, but in contrast, I haven't had a single one of Coss' recipes fail me yet. And finally, this book is UGLY. The other books are much more attractive (and inspiring) in layout, design, quality of printing, and most of all in the soaps themselves. Sorry Dr Bob, I sold my copy at a yardsale.

Rating:
Summary: Myths dispelled
Review: No book can be all things to all people, however, this is one darn good book.

This book gives accurate explanations, good instructions, and good recipes. He touches on all aspects of soaping, including options for those who don't want to handle the chemical aspects. He gives explanations of what's available, from cold process, to melt and pour, without disparaging any one choice as being better or worse than another. As the title says, it's all "Essentially Soap."

As to his recipes, they are all great! I've used every single one several times. Not a bad soap in the bunch, in spite of other's opinions. Dr. Bob knows his soap and knows his chemistry. If you're going to get one book on soaping, get this one.

Rating:
Summary: A very interesting book
Review: Not great for a beginning soap maker, but exellent for someone who has a few months, or at least 8-10 soap making experiences under their belt. Some of the things Dr Bob discusses, a new soapmaker would not know. After I made around 10 to 15 different soaps, I went back and looked at the book. Then, I knew things he mentioned, and found it easier to follow. At that point, I found it wonderful.

His information on soap ingredients is pretty good, even for a novice. Any soap maker, regardless of their level, would benefit from this section.

In all, I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A great soap book with real recipes!
Review: Some soap books are just pretty pictures and recipes with variations on fragrances and organic additives. I know, as I have been making soap for over a year, and have read every soap book in the Milwaukee County Library system - and that is more than just a shelf full! I have made hundreds of batches of soap in the last year.

This is one of the few books that I have actually purchased for my own library, to use as a reference. It joins the shelf with SOAPMAKERS COMPANION by Cavitch, and Handmade Soap Book by Cross, supplemented by the links available from http://users.silverlink.net/~timer/soaplinks.html (Thanks Kathy Miller, whoever you are!)

What I like about it is the explanation of the INS numbers as it relates to creating a good soap recipe. 160 is the best INS number to arrive at. In this book, Dr. McDaniel goes into far more technical depth than many of other soap books that just have pretty pictures.

He covers melt and pour, cold process, and rebatching, and does a good job with all of them. He has a good chapter on essential oils, which ones to use, and what to avoid, and what goes with what. It strikes me that this is like the Readers Digest book of Home Repair, for soapmakers.

I am also giving this book as a gift to another soaping friend, and suggest it as a good book for the beyond beginning, or the experienced soaper who wants to have all the details carefully explained to him/her... To move your soapmaking onto the next level of expertise.

Best of luck with your soapmaking - Enjoy!