How do you calculate lye solution?

Calculating and Measuring Water

1. (Amount of Fat) × (Saponification Value of the Fat) = (Amount of Lye)
2. (Amount of Lye) ÷ 0.3 = (Total Weight of Lye Water Solution)
3. (Total Weight of Lye Water Solution) − (Amount of Lye) = (Amount of Water)

What is a solution of lye?

A lye is a metal hydroxide traditionally obtained by leaching wood ashes, or a strong alkali which is highly soluble in water producing caustic basic solutions. “Lye” most commonly refers to sodium hydroxide (NaOH), but historically has been used for potassium hydroxide (KOH).

What is the lye to water ratio?

2.3 parts
The lye to water ratio of the lye solution is roughly 1 part lye to 2.3 parts water.

How do you make lye?

To make lye in the kitchen, boil the ashes from a hardwood fire (soft woods are too resinous to mix with fat) in a little soft water, rain water is best, for about half an hour. Allow the ashes to settle to the bottom of the pan and then skim the liquid lye off the top.

What is the pH of lye?

When the pH of a substance is above 7, it is a basic substance. When the pH of a substance is below 7, it is an acid substance. The further the pH lies above or below 7, the more basic or acid a solution is….Acids and bases.

Which lye is best for soap making?

Before you Buy Lye As a soap maker, buying lye is best done in bulk because of its cost effectiveness. When you purchase the sodium hydroxide, it will come in a dry form. The proper amount of water must be added before it’s ready to be used in the soap making reaction.

Why is lye used in soap?

Lye, which has a scientific name of sodium hydroxide, reacts when it is properly mixed; the process of mixing and causing this reaction is called saponification. The process typically involves mixing lye with oils or butters, which contribute scents and other natural properties, such as vitamins and minerals, to soap.

What can I substitute for lye?

A common home alternative to lye when making pretzels or bagels is to use a baking soda solution.

Is baking soda lye?

Keep baked soda in a tightly sealed jar to prevent it from absorbing moisture from the air. And avoid touching or spilling it. It’s not lye, but it’s strong enough to irritate. Baked soda is also strong enough to make a good lye substitute for pretzels.

Does lye have a high pH?

A pH higher than 7 is considered basic or alkaline, and pH level of below 7 is acidic. Sodium hydroxide lye has a pH of about 14, putting it at the very top of the pH scale. When too much lye is used in the soap, the pH level will rise from the normal level of 9-10, and can become closer to 11-14.

What makes Lye food grade?

What is food grade lye Pure lye is by itself always food grade. There is nothing toxic about lye (although it’s corrosive even at low-ish concentrations). When a manufacturer sells you food grade lye, they are guaranteeing you that it is not contaminated with anything unpleasant.

What is the chemical formula of lye or caustic soda?

Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and caustic soda, is an inorganic compound with the formula NaOH. It is a white solid ionic compound consisting of sodium cations Na+

What are some uses for lye?

Lye is a chemical used for a variety of purposes, including making soap, performing chemistry demonstrations, making biodiesel, curing food, unclogging drains, disinfecting floors and toilets, and synthesizing drugs. Because it can be used to make illegal drugs, lye may be hard to find in a store.

What is the chemical name for lye?

Lye is the common name for sodium hydroxide, one of the strongest bases in nature, a chemical compound that can dissolve fats. Lye is the opposite of hydrochloric acid, one of the strongest acids, a chemical compound used in dissolving metals and some salts.