Hello all. Tonight I did 4 Dr. Pepper tests (following the exact amounts of oil, methoxide, etc. called for) with the following results:
1. New oil with zero separation after 5 hours

2. Added 1 more teaspoon Lye -New oil with approx. 1/6th clear and 5/6ths gunk after 3 hours

3. Added 3 teaspoons Lye -Used oil with approx. 1/6th and 5/6ths again. After 1 hour.
What can I be doing wrong? I am using Heet in a yellow bottle and a drain opener that has sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. I bet the drain opener is the problem...

4. Added 6 teaspoons Lye- Used oil with 1/6th and 5/6ths separation AGAIN! I'm going nuts.

Today it is worse. There are 3 obvious layers now. A fraction of a layer on bottom which I assume is Glycerol. The middle layer is oil and what appears to be soap? Finally the top layer appears to be like Crisco. I'm confused.... Back to the drawing board.