I have been mixing the lye 1/2 teaspoon(granules) into 250ml HEET for about 20 minutes now with little to no results. It is in an old glass container and there is also no heat.....

Any advice....

Is the HEET bottle methanol (yellow bottle) and do you know the purity of your lye? Other than swirling it around, I don't know what other explanations.

The lye is the Roebic K-67 Granular Baterial Drain and Trap Cleaner. It was mixed with Heet from the yellow bottle. The lye just wouldnt dissolve very well.

I know it shouldnt work but I did mix it with the canola oil to see if I got anything. Its not looking good for now...

quote:

Roebic K-67

I browsed the Roebic website and my assumption is the K-67 Granular Bacterial Drain and Trap Cleaner is NOT lye. What you're looking for is Heavy Duty Crystal Drain Opener (100% NAOH caustic soda).

http://www.roebic.com/kitchen.htm

Hope that solves the problem. I will be making my first batch this weekend...it's been 3 years in the making.

Figures....I knew something wasnt right....I guess I shouldnt have mixed it with the oil....now I got some oil that i cant use....any suggestions for lye products?

Lowes should sell Roebic Heavy Duty Crystal Drain Opener (the proper caustic soda). I was going order some KOH from a supplier on eBay. You get a 2 lbs of lye in a resealable container (5 lb capacity) and 8 lbs of lye in four 2-lb bags. Since it's hygroscopic, I thought small quantities and something air-tight is a must. It's about $30 shipped and you can stack extra bags if you like. I think 30 lbs should last me awhile.

Keep this in mind for when you get a little further along. I have 50 pound bags of NaOH for $60 and 55 pound bags of KOH for $78 that I can sell you. I will be down in Auburn the week of January 14th to the 18th for school. I can also ship some smaller amounts if you need some before then.

-Jim

Got the right stuff from the Lowes in the next town...given it a try here in a minute....(crossing fingers)


Jim D,
thanks for the offer but for now I am just trying to make enough for about 2-5% mix just to help lubricate. When I am at a permanent location I might buy some of that for sure.....

Thad

If it is just Lube you need use 2% new canola oil.

Any idea where you are headed next?

-Jim