Can you make your own lye water?

It’s very easy, and inexpensive, to prepare a homemade version as a substitute. You only need two ingredients for homemade lye water: Baked baking soda and water. Mix them at a 1:4 ratio. Then you’re ready to use it!

What is a good substitute for lye water?

baking soda
It can be replaced by a homemade version made from two extremely common ingredients – baking soda and water. There are two approaches to making alkaline solution at home: one that uses baking soda and one that uses baked baking soda. However, baked baking soda is recommended for both mooncake and ramen making.

How do you make a lye mixture?

Instructions

1. Weigh the Water. To begin, put on your safety goggles and rubber gloves, and make sure your work space has good ventilation.
2. Weigh the Lye. Place the mason jar on the scale, and zero out the weight.
3. Add the Lye to the Water.
4. Stir the Lye and Water Mixture.
5. Set the Lye Solution in a Safe Place to Cool.

What is the lye to water ratio?

The lye to water ratio of the lye solution is roughly 1 part lye to 2.3 parts water. This is equivalent to roughly 30\% lye and 70\% water.

Can you make lye from softwood?

To make this type of lye, you need the white ashes from hardwood fires. Softwoods, such as pine, spruce, or fir, do not contain enough potassium, which is necessary for making lye. Because the potassium doesn’t burn away in the fire, you can leach the nutrient out of the ashes using water.

How do you calculate lye percentage?

Divide the amount of lye by 0.3 and then subtract the amount of lye from the result.

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 the best wood to make lye?

The best hardwoods for lye water include ash, hickory, beech, sugar maple, and buckeye. To make lye using this method, you’ll need enough ash to nearly fill a wooden barrel. Don’t use ashes from softwood trees, as these don’t contain enough potassium.