Does The Water That Lye Is Mixed Into Need To Be Hot Or Cold

[CBZ1982]

I was wondering should the water that the lye is poured into should it be hot or cold? Can I also use water from my kitchen sink?

 

[dcornett]

You have to use distilled water and it helps if it's part ice, because the lye is going to really heat it up, and using ice will help keep the temp down some.

 

[CBZ1982]

You have to use distilled water and it helps if it's part ice, because the lye is going to really heat it up, and using ice will help keep the temp down some.

Thank you for the information.

 

[jadiebugs1]

Using distilled water is a smart thing to do because if things go wonky, you'll know it wasn't from some impurity in the water. But depending on your water, tap water can be and is used by some.

Again, you don't HAVE to use ice, but I find freezing my water (not quite rock solid) does help keep the lye bath from becoming extremely hot, which of course, is much nicer to work with...

 

[AmyW]

The colder it is, the less time it takes for it to cool to soaping temps. When I'm using just regular distilled water, it's at room temp. Milks are cold/frozen.

 

[soapbuddy]

I have a pitcher of distilled water in the fridge, so it's really cold. If need be, I supplement with ice cubes.

 

[Relle]

I just use tap water now straight out of the tap, no cooling. No probs at all.

Relle.

 

[carebear]

You have to use distilled water and it helps if it's part ice, because the lye is going to really heat it up, and using ice will help keep the temp down some.

Both "nice to have", but neither needed. My tap water is fine, it'll depend on yours. ,don't use hot water, but cold is not necessary.

 

[cleanwater]

I just use tap water now straight out of the tap, no cooling. No probs at all.

Relle.

Same here. Depends on the quality of your tap water, I suppose. Hard water might cause problems. Sounds like an experiment waiting for an experimenter...

 

[carebear]

I just use tap water now straight out of the tap, no cooling. No probs at all.

Relle.

Same here. Depends on the quality of your tap water, I suppose. Hard water might cause problems. Sounds like an experiment waiting for an experimenter...

Its not just a matter of hardness but also what minerals are present. Some metals promote DOS.

 

[dcornett]

I just use tap water now straight out of the tap, no cooling. No probs at all.

Relle.

Same here. Depends on the quality of your tap water, I suppose. Hard water might cause problems. Sounds like an experiment waiting for an experimenter...

Its not just a matter of hardness but also what minerals are present. Some metals promote DOS.

Believe I'll just stick with my distilled water :wink: