What grade of lye do you use?

[debbism]

I normally use food grade lye as it is the purest (greater than 99% pure) however, I am finding other sources for lye which only offer technical grade (99% pure) for a bit less PLUS their shipping costs are far far better.

Is there going to be a huge difference if i switch to tech grade? Seems like less than 1% difference in purity shouldn't bee too big a deal.

Our soaps are usually superfatted anywhere from 4-9% depending on the recipe we are making.

 

[soapbuddy]

I buy whichever one costs less.

 

[debbism]

I've been using food grade from aaa-chemicals.com and recently found it to be cheaper to get tech grade from ingredientstodiefor.com

I usually buy 32 lbs at a time but found that if i buy 36 lbs from ingredientstodiefor.com, I pay less shipping and less fr the lye BUT I get an extra 4 lbs. They also have a lot of wonderful ingredients to consider as well.....dunno why I have not heard of them until now.

 

[Moonblossom]

Also whatever is cheapest I haven't noticed a difference in my soaps either way..

 

[jcandleattic]

I use technical grade from Essential Depot. Free shipping on the quantities I buy - I've never had a problem with my soap caused by the lye I use.
Only other user error problems. LOL

 

[Hazel]

Same here - which ever is cheapest. I haven't noticed a difference in any of the soaps.

 

[falldowngobump]

I order the tech grade from Essential Depo too. It works fine and I've never had any problems with it.

 

[MsSharLee]

I get mine from the Lye Guy ... $5.25 for 32 oz / if buy 6 and one of them is free

http://www.thelyeguy.com/store/store.php?crn=211

 

[IrishLass]

I've used both food grade and tech grade. I bought both at AAA Chemicals. I bought the food grade to see if it made any difference in my soap, but found that it made absolutely none, so I just stick to the tech because it's cheaper.


IrishLass

 

[Guest]

I get my lye from Duda biodiesel

 

[judymoody]

I've been using food grade from aaa-chemicals.com and recently found it to be cheaper to get tech grade from ingredientstodiefor.com

I usually buy 32 lbs at a time but found that if i buy 36 lbs from ingredientstodiefor.com, I pay less shipping and less fr the lye BUT I get an extra 4 lbs. They also have a lot of wonderful ingredients to consider as well.....dunno why I have not heard of them until now.

I have bought tech grade from both of these vendors too. IDTF is the cheapest I have found on-line unless somebody is running a sale. I'm in the next state over so shipping was reasonable.

I've also bought from Essential Depot. I like their containers - less bouncing lye pellets.

 

[jcandleattic]

I've been using food grade from aaa-chemicals.com and recently found it to be cheaper to get tech grade from ingredientstodiefor.com

I usually buy 32 lbs at a time but found that if i buy 36 lbs from ingredientstodiefor.com, I pay less shipping and less fr the lye BUT I get an extra 4 lbs. They also have a lot of wonderful ingredients to consider as well.....dunno why I have not heard of them until now.

I have bought tech grade from both of these vendors too. IDTF is the cheapest I have found on-line unless somebody is running a sale. I'm in the next state over so shipping was reasonable.

I've also bought from Essential Depot. I like their containers - less bouncing lye pellets.

I hate that I have to buy it online. I used to have a chemical company that would sell to me but they stopped selling lye about 6 years ago.
I would buy 25lbs at a time and spent less $8.00 for it with no shipping at all because I was able to pick it up.

Essential depot seems to always be running a sale, and I get free shipping. This last bunch I bought was 10lbs for $25 ish... (quite the difference in price. )