Thread: Pancake or Grilled Cheese Lather?

I never want the first grilled cheese or the first batch of pancakes. Seems like my lather is almost always the same. No matter how good my lather the second pass and all subsequent passes are always better than the first? Is this normal for others?



Thanks

Never noticed that phenomenon with lather. However, I fully agree on the pancakes!

Interesting analogy, however I'm a pig so I don't want to wait for the second grill cheese or pancakes. However, having children, that always happens.
As for you second and third pass being better, I would go on the assumption that seeing the first pass gets the majority of growth, each pass after should be
"easier" if you will.

It's kind of like shoveling snow. You wake up and see 6" on the ground with a total of 12" projected. You go shovel the 6" and every few inches after you
shovel rather than shoveling a foot of snow at once. The first 6" was hardest, but you pecked away at the rest in smaller increments so it was easier.
John

I know exactly what you're referring to... I think it has to do with the amount of soap to water ratio. I get a very thick fluffy later on the first pass that sticks to the blade a little when rinsing. then on the second pass it is noticeably more wet/slick.

I have tried adding more and more water to the first pass to get the same slick lather, but I am only guessing that maybe there is just too much product to get a good water/soap ratio. Pure speculation on my part.

Are you face or bowl lathering Jimtro?

Another reason for lather building on your face different for subsequent passes following the first is your facial hair, or lack there of. The hair on your face, whether stubble or mountain-man length, causes the lather to build up differently than when you are just building lather on shaved skin. The hair can hold on to lather so it seems to "pile up," while your skin will become saturated with less lather. This is what I have observed. Some may disagree.

I've noticed this too. My second+ passes are much thinner because I'm trying to build lather directly onto a shaved face.

The first pass is a lot thicker because the beard helps to build/retain the lather.

Usually the first pancake is cooked on a griddle that is either too hot or too cool and doesn't have the benefit of the grease yet. Like lather, easy to correct.

Originally Posted by TwistedOak

I know exactly what you're referring to... I think it has to do with the amount of soap to water ratio. I get a very thick fluffy later on the first pass that sticks to the blade a little when rinsing. then on the second pass it is noticeably more wet/slick.

I have tried adding more and more water to the first pass to get the same slick lather, but I am only guessing that maybe there is just too much product to get a good water/soap ratio. Pure speculation on my part.

Are you face or bowl lathering Jimtro?

I like to think that I do both...I load the brush and then build lather in a scuttle (I really enjoy a warm lather). I then enjoy working the lather a bit more once it's on my face. What you are saying about the water ratio is spot on as I tend to load quite a bit of product. I think that if I get the lather the way I like it on my first pass that the subsequent passes may need more product.