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This may seem like a daft question but maybe something that all the experienced cold process soapmakers can answer. I have been insulating my soaps and have seen them go through the gel phase and this seems to have left the top of the soap a bit rough, sometimes even cracked. Once I unmould it the loaf itself is fine with a good texture and pH. I wonder if they a getting too hot (I use a wooden lid on my mould and several layers of towels) or I am not insulating it enough. Do they have to go through this gel phase anyway? I think I have read somewhere that not all soaps go through this phase.

The book I have doesn't recommend insulating soap Sue and says this is a myth- try a couple of batches maybe, one insulated and one not insulated and see if it makes any difference. From what I recall, most or even all soaps will go through the 'gel phase' but I'd have to read over that bit again to be certain!