Has anyone here ever made their own lye? If so can you tell me how you did it?


If you are against this please do not start a debate, I am asking a simple question not looking for people to get upset over the "danger"

Thank you

There are very good instructions in one of the foxfire books, I think the first one.

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Vicker
If you're born to hang, you'll never drown.

I make lye for making hominy corn.

Plastic 5 gallon bucket with a honey gate installed on it.

Put large pillow case in bucket, fill about half way with clean straw, the with cold ashed from HARDWOOD (I like using Ash tree the best). The fill with water and let sit for a day or so.

Open the valve gate and collect the lye. Test the strength with a fresh, raw egg. The egg should float leaving about a quarter to half dollar size of the shell exposed. If not strong enough, close the valve gate and pour water back into bucket.

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Cyndi (and sometimes Paul)

9th Annual Homesteading Weekend

Our Lessons in Homesteading

NW Ill-Annoy USA

Thank you for posting this!!

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He who thinks he knows, doesn't. He who knows he doesn't know, knows.~ Joseph Campbell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeMrK...AE7062ADE5A19C

This is so interesting. Thanks for asking the question.

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Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

What is the proportion of this lye/water combo to oils to make a soap then? Is there a soap calculator that can help with this? How would you enter it?

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Enjoy life's simple pleasures.

There is no set amount of homemade potash (lye) you need to use for oils. You don't know the exact strength of the potash so it is hit & miss.

Some where on the board is another discussion about this. I'll try to find it for you.

It does get into a 'lively discussion'.

eta: Found it

__________________
Cyndi (and sometimes Paul)

9th Annual Homesteading Weekend

Our Lessons in Homesteading

NW Ill-Annoy USA