How long is Lye good for?
As long as that lye is in a sealed container, it is good for a long time. The sealed container prevents any evaporation. We do find sometimes when we prep lye ahead of time it forms chunks on the top. We’re not quite sure what those are, but to be extra careful we like to pour the lye and water through a strainer into the oils.
What happens when you add lye to water?
Adding lye to room temperature water can cause the water to reach temperatures up to 200 ° F. The mixture also creates fumes, which should not be inhaled. Yes, all this information sounds a little scary, and it’s totally normal to be nervous when first working with lye.
How hot does Lye get?
How hot the lye gets depends on a couple of factors, including the temperature of your water, the temperature of your house, etc. I’ve also noticed potassium hydroxide seems to get a bit cooler than sodium hydroxide. I would recommend taking the temperature of your lye each time you make it.
Where can I buy liquid lye?
Lye water is commonly available at Chinese/Asian stores. You should be able to find it online as well (e.g. Amazon). It usually comes in glass bottles.
Can lye water be stored?
These alkalis are highly reactive and dangerous chemicals, so store them safely. A sturdy container is important. Lye solution can weigh up to 1 1/2 times more than the same volume of water, so you need a sturdy thick-walled container to properly hold the extra weight.
How long is lye solution good for?
one yearThe shelf life of lye, sodium hydroxide, when properly stored is one year. After a year it is possible for your lye to work, but you should do a small batch to test whether the lye is still good.
How do you store lye water for cooking?
Make sure to use a shallow pot so it will not overflow and do not leave it unattended. NOTE: You can store this into air tight jars and make sure that it is out of reach by children. Please don't forget to tag the jars properly with “Lye Water Substitute” because it looks like crystal water.
Can I put lye solution in fridge?
Given that lye is toxic, keeping it in either the refrigerator or pantry is risky. If you drink it by accident, the possible consequences range from an upset stomach to needing immediate surgery to save your life, depending on the concentration. Keep it with other toxic household substances.
Is it OK to use expired lye water?
If your lye solution does not get very hot, it may be expired. Above, the potassium hydroxide lye solution using expired lye only reached 124 ° F. If you notice anything odd happening with your lye, don't use it in cold process soap. Expired lye doesn't saponify properly, meaning your soap may not reach trace.
Does lye water evaporate?
The dilution is exothermic – chemical energy is released in the form of heat. Conversely, by applying heat energy into a dilute sodium hydroxide solution the water will evaporate so that the solution becomes more concentrated and thus stores the supplied heat as latent chemical energy.
How long can you store lye water for soap?
Sodium hydroxide solutions (often a 50 percent solution mixed with distilled water) experience chemical degradation much more quickly than dried forms. The shelf life of a sodium hydroxide solution is roughly 30 days when properly stored in a dark, cool place.
Is lye water healthy?
Health concerns Lye water is a strongly alkaline (caustic) solution which can cause severe injury in the form of corrosive burns, especially to the throat, oesophagus and stomach if swallowed. These injuries can result in hospitalisation and permanent damage in severe cases.
What does lye water do to kutsinta?
Food grade Lye water is a strong alkaline solution used in various cooking processes such as curing and baking. As a key ingredient in making kutsinta or pichi-pichi as well in Chinese moon cakes, bagels, pretzels, and ramen noodles, it raises the ph level of the dough for a richer color and a springy texture.
Can I mix lye and water in glass?
Never mix your lye solution in glass. Even Pyrex has been known to etch and shatter when used with sodium hydroxide.
Can you microwave lye water?
You can safely reheat lye water when making soap, but you need to be careful. Heating it on the stove top can be dangerous and even microwaving it can cause problems. They trick is to heat it in a safe place and slowly. The best way to reheat lye solution is to use a hot water bath.
Can I mix lye and water in stainless steel?
A 4-6 cup lye resistant container for mixing lye and water. This container must be made of stainless steel, glass or heat resistant (212 degrees F) plastic. It must not be made of aluminum or tin. A soap mold - can be anything from a Rubbermaid(tm) type container to a wooden tray or even a heavy duty cardboard box.
How to store lye?
To properly store lye, ensure the container is air-tight. Here are somesodium hydroxide storage tips according to the University of Alabama at Birmingham: Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. Ensure the container is properly sealed and air-tight when not using. This is crucial for proper storage as NaOH absorbs any moisture which leads ...
Why do you add lye to water?
Remember to always add lye to water, and not the other way around. If this is done in the wrong order, the liquid may bubble and spill over. When you add lye to water, it creates an exothermic reaction meaning it gets really hot, really fast! Because of this heat reaction, it’s best to use cooler temperature water.
How long does NaOH last?
So, you have a batch of NaOH either in pellet, flake, bead, or powder form. Unfortunately, sodium hydroxide doesn’t last forever . While the quality and purity of lye may vary by manufacturer, according to Chemtrade, the shelf life of sodium hydroxide pellets is up to 3 years from date of manufacture. However, it’s best used within 1 year.
How to keep sodium hydroxide from getting poisonous?
Keep the sodium hydroxide in its original container. This ensures it’s properly labelled with the appropriate safety warnings. Keep locked away in a safe location where children and pets can’t access it. Lye is a highly poisonous substance. Keep away from direct sunlight, or extreme temperatures (hot or cold).
What is NaOH used for?
Updated February 14, 2021. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), more commonly called lye, caustic soda, or soda lye, is used to make many household products. This includes soap, aluminum, drain and oven cleaners, rayon, and many paper and petroleum products. The shelf life of sodium hydroxide pellets is up to 3 years from the manufacturing date;
How to get rid of lye stinging?
Skin: You may experience a slight stinging or burning sensation if lye makes contact with your skin for a short period of time. Flush skin with clean water for at least 15 minutes .
Is lye corrosive or odorless?
However, when they hear about lye and its corrosive properties, they back off. Here’s a brief description of lye from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): “Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is an odorless, white crystalline solid that absorbs moisture from the air. Sodium hydroxide is very corrosive.
What happens when you mix lye and water?
The liquid dissolves the lye and creates a lye solution. Mixing water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase. Adding lye to room temperature water can cause the water to reach temperatures up to 200 ° F. The mixture also creates fumes, which should not be inhaled.
When mixing water and lye, what is the first step?
When mixing water and lye the first step is to measure the correct amounts into separate containers. Once you have the correct amounts for your recipe, the lye should be slowly added to the water. NEVER add water to your lye! Doing so can cause the lye to expand, or erupt, out of the container.
How to clean lye flake off counter?
Then, clean the area with lots of water. You can also use a little vinegar to clean the surface , it helps neutralize lye. Most of saponification happens in the first two days.
What to wear when working with lye?
Wear Proper Safety Gear: When working with lye, wearing protective safety gear is a must. This includes eye goggles, gloves, long sleeves and long pants. Covering your skin helps protect it from spills or drops of lye solution. Some soapers also like to wear surgical masks to avoid breathing in any fumes.
Can you touch lye powder?
It’s also helpful to move it to a place where kids or pets will not touch or drink the solution. The jar of lye flakes, pellets or powder should always be kept out of reach of children, and should be properly labeled “POISON,” or “DO NOT TOUCH,” to ensure people do not tamper with the lye.
Can you mix lye solution in metal?
The container should be a sturdy, heat-resistant plastic or glass. I don’t recommend mixing lye solution in a metal container.
Is lye safe to use in cold process soap?
But because lye has the potential to be extremely dangerous, it’s important to take every safety precaution when making cold process soap. Sodium hydroxide lyeis available in various forms, such as flakes, pellets and powder. To make cold process soap, lye is introduced to a liquid like distilled water.
How long to make lye water?
This is an easy way to make it at home with two common ingredients. Print Pin Rate. Cuisine: Chinese. Prep: 2 minutes. 1 hour. Total: 1 hour 2 minutes.
Where can I buy lye water?
Lye water is commonly available at Chinese/Asian stores. You should be able to find it online as well (e.g. Amazon). It usually comes in glass bottles. Apart from Lye water or Kansui, the label may show other words like potassium carbonate solution, 枧水, 雪碱水, etc.
What is the best way to make lye water?
You only need two ingredients for homemade lye water: Baked baking soda and water. Mix them at a 1:4 ratio.
Why do you use lye water in noodles?
Lye water helps the noodles to become elastic, springy, and slightly yellow. It also makes them less likely to become mushy when added to broths and soups. Cantonese Style Mooncakes (月饼). Lye water is used to raise the PH of the dough (neutralize the acid in the syrup).
What foods use lye water?
You can find it in ramen noodles, Chinese mooncakes, pretzels, bagels, tortillas, cured olives, and many other foods. Here are some classic Chinese recipes that use it:
Can you taste lye water?
Add a tiny bit more at a time to test. 🛎 NB: Although lye water is perfectly safe to use in food, you should never taste it on its own or touch it with bare skin.
Can you overdose on lye water?
However, an overdose of lye water would result in bitterness. So the general advice would be: Always follow the quantity suggested in a recipe.
How long does sodium hydroxide lye last?
To ensure the lye works properly, we recommend using it within one year of purchasing. It needs to be sealed tightly and stored in a dry place. Lye is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts moisture.
What temperature does lye dissolve?
The fresh lye was about 141 ° F when it was added to the water and stirred to dissolve. The expired potassium hydroxide lye only reached about 124 ° F. It also had a slightly cloudy appearance, even after thorough stirring. If your lye solution does not get very hot, it may be expired.
What is lye used for in soap making?
For soapmaking, lye comes in two types. Sodium hydroxide lyeis used to make solid cold process soap. Potassium hydroxide lyeis used to make liquid soap. Read more about potassium hydroxide here. Both types of lye are dissolved in a liquid, like distilled water or milk.
Why is expired lye clumping?
It is also clumping in several spots because it has absorbed moisture from the air. Above, the expired lye is shown on the left and the fresh lye is shown on the right. Notice the color difference!
Where to store lye in soap lab?
It may lose its potency if stored in warmer temperatures. In the Soap Queen Lab, the lye is double sealed and stored in a box that is placed on a shelf. At home you can store it in a cupboard, in your garage, etc.
Can you use expired lye in soap?
If you used expired lye in your soap and your soap did not set up, there is no way to save the soap because we don’t know exactly how much lye it is short.
Can expired soap be traced?
If the soap does trace, it may not set up properly and can be soft or sticky to the touch. Using expired lye can mean your soap won’t reach trace. To avoid any wasted soap, make sure to keep your lye tightly sealed in a cool, dry place. We like to mark all of our bottles in the Soap Lab with the date it is opened.
In This Article
Heavier than water, lye is a popular chemical often used to clear clogged drains. Because it doesn't float, you can use lye in drains even when there is standing water present. The lye will sink to the bottom of the drain and clear the clog quite effectively. Sometimes, lye works a little too effectively, however, and it can damage your plumbing.
When to Avoid Lye
Scientifically known as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, lye does an excellent job of cutting through organic matter, like hair and other common drain cloggers. Unfortunately, it generates heat as it does so, making it best to avoid using lye in PVC and other plastic pipes.
How to Clean a Drain With Lye
When using lye to open a drain, always read the directions on the product label first. While the basics of lye use are generally the same, every manufacturer may have its own special instructions for its product. Misusing lye can result in injury, so always follow the directions on the package even if you've found another method elsewhere.
Step 1: Prepare Yourself
Lye is an extremely caustic chemical, and it can burn your skin if you come into direct contact with it. To protect yourself, always wear protective gear when using it.
Step 2: Add the Lye
If you are adding lye to a sink or tub full of standing water, make sure the water is cold. If it isn't, leave it to sit or add cold water until it is. Lye gets hot enough to boil water as it works in the drain, so it's important to start out with cold water rather than making hot water even hotter.
Step 3: Rinse and Repeat
In many instances, lye works extremely well, and one treatment is enough to get the job done. Once in a while, however, you have to add a second batch of lye to remove tough clogs. If the second treatment doesn't do it, you'll need to call a plumber. Don't just keep dumping increasing amounts of lye down the drain.
