won’t have to make any calculations to deduct the container’s weight, or accidentally
include the weight of the container in your measurements.)
STEP 4: PREPARE THE LYE MIXTURE
Dissolve the measured amount in cold (preferably refrigerated) water. Pour the lye
into the water, a little bit at a time, and stirring constantly. Always add the lye to the
water, never the other way around. If water is poured onto lye, it will form a crust on
the surface; the lye underneath will continue to react as more water is added, and
eventually, so much pressure will build up that the lye underneath will erupt through
the crust, spraying lye powder, hot steam, and fumes everywhere.
As the lye is added to the water, the water will become very hot; when lye mixes
with water, it creates an exothermic reaction, meaning that the chemical reaction
between lye and water releases a lot of heat during the process. (Dissolving the lye will
also release fumes, which appear as a mist or vapor; these fumes contain molecules of
lye, and must not be inhaled.) Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the
solution while mixing; it should not exceed 190°F. If the mixture gets any hotter, it
may begin to boil over. If the lye mixture is getting too hot, try submerging the
container in a larger container of ice water. As a preventative measure, if you are
going to be mixing a large quantity of lye, use refrigerated or ice water to mix the lye
solution. Continue stirring until the mixture is clear, and all of the lye has been
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