Where should I buy lye?

[Psalm 23]

Where should I buy sodium hydroxide? I got a small bottle of it from a hardware store, but I really wanted to buy it in larger ammounts. A chemical store here had a 50lb bag of it, but I didn't think it would be good to have it in a bag....couldn't it like absorb moisture every time I open it? I would be opening it a lot...50lbs would last a while I think Is it better to buy it online?

 

[Bigmoose]

I buy mine 50 lbs. at a time. As soon as I get it I bag it into about 2.5 lb. bags and seal them tightly. I then put 5 of those bags into another larger bag and seal it tightly. Doing this I have never had any problem of my lye showing it's age in any way. I vote to buy the 50 lb. bag.

Bruce

 

[Absinthe]

I have always just gone to the grocery and picked up red devil. However, seems that they have pulled their product because I think you might be able to make pseudophed from it. :S

I have not bought any yet, but Lowes sells a product called "Roebic Crystal Drain Opener" and is marked as 100% lye. It is also 2 lbs and about 8 or 9 dollars I think.

 

[IanT]

I buy mine 50 lbs. at a time. As soon as I get it I bag it into about 2.5 lb. bags and seal them tightly. I then put 5 of those bags into another larger bag and seal it tightly. Doing this I have never had any problem of my lye showing it's age in any way. I vote to buy the 50 lb. bag.

Bruce

Ok ...now.... Prices?

What is considered a good price for a 50lb bag?....what would be considerered high?

I found a place in Tampa, FL that sells 50lb for $1.50/lb but Ive heard thats a little high?

Psalm- What I did was I went to the yellow pages and looked for chemical distributors around my area, either that or try to ask the almighty Google... search for caustic soda (which is what most companies brand it as)... or "Sodium Hydroxide Suppliers in _______"...

Either that or I have heard that Yahoo groups is a good place to find local sources for ingredients...my problem with the yahoo groups thing is I dont know how to FIND the local group this woman was talking about who told me about that avenue... but once I do...boooy.... lol......

hth!

 

[Deda]

I vote for the 50 lb bag, too.
Mine is 65$.
There are better prices out there, but I get mine close by and they have friendly people and a cute office kitten.

 

[Bigmoose]

I was talking to another soaper at a craft show last year and they told me that they get thiers delivered from a pool chemical supplier one a year and pay $40 a bag for it. WOW delivered at that price. She did not say who or where.

Bruce

 

[Psalm 23]

Ya, the stuff I got at a hardware store was like $6. It is only 16oz. It seems like lye will be a lot cheaper to buy in bulk. The separate bagging is a good idea. I think I'll look for a pool suppy store! I don't even know if there is one around though...if you want to cool off, just jump in the lake! lol It's usually pretty cold here.

 

[jennikate]

I couldn't find lye anywhere local. I got 2 lb from AAA online. Working for me.
8)

 

[Absinthe]

I just got back from Lowes and they sure enough still have the crystal drain opener that is 100% lye 2 lb for like $12 something. The shelf is full. The kicker is this, it is not in the area where the other drain openers and cleaners are, it is rather back in the plumbing area near the pipe fittings and pvc and such.

 

[jennikate]

my lowes doesn't carry it at all

 

[Absinthe]

That stinks. I'd offer to send you some, but you would no doubt do much better online bulk. I am pretty sure it can't be shipped USPS so it would have to go UPS or FEDEX and you would pay more for the shipping than the soda.

Do you have any chemical supply houses near by? A lot of the time you have to look for them in the YP but they can get all sorts of things, many of which you would not need any permits for Places that supply chemicals for industrial use (factories) and pool maintenance and other things will have lye on their list of things in stock or at least orderable.

 

[Deb]

Where should I buy sodium hydroxide? I got a small bottle of it from a hardware store, but I really wanted to buy it in larger ammounts. A chemical store here had a 50lb bag of it, but I didn't think it would be good to have it in a bag....couldn't it like absorb moisture every time I open it? I would be opening it a lot...50lbs would last a while I think Is it better to buy it online?

I get a 50 lb bag and the first day pour it over into 12 different milk jugs. Its more handable and you still get the bulk discount. And no air gets in! unless you leave the top off...ask me how I know that one?

 

[Psalm 23]

Thanks Deb...we all end up learning the hard way sometimes right? :wink: In any case the milk jug idea is a great one! We go through a TON of milk in our family anyway

 

[Deda]

If you're don't want to go with a 50 lb bag I've heard that the Lye Guy is pretty reasonable on his, and the shipping is no more than anything else of a similar weight.

https://www.thelyeguy.com/store/store.php

 

[Psalm 23]

I would probably rather buy it from a store so that I don't have to pay shipping, but I do like how the Lye Guy's is already pre-packaged :wink:

 

[ikindred]

I have a local ACE hardware store that I used to buy my lye from but I now order mine online at www.essentialdepot.com and I find the prices to be reasonable. My batches are normally 6 lbs and the little bottles for $3.99 were going to fast so I buy in bulk now.

 

[choppedlogic]

is it worth cheaking the chemicals in the lye? i was reading one list and it had things like lead and arsnic in it! cant be too good? im compleatly new and just learning the basics of the basics!

 

[Absinthe]

it should say 100% "lye" "Sodium Hydroxide" or "caustic soda" any other ingredients are a no-no

 

[Saltysteele]

I have always just gone to the grocery and picked up red devil. However, seems that they have pulled their product because I think you might be able to make pseudophed from it. :S

I have not bought any yet, but Lowes sells a product called "Roebic Crystal Drain Opener" and is marked as 100% lye. It is also 2 lbs and about 8 or 9 dollars I think.

our lowes doesn't carry it, but tractor supply does. i've used it to this point, and no problems

just bought some 100% from menards and will be trying that out soon. it was in pound containers for 3 bucks or so

i, too, would like to get 50# of it, though. where would be a good source in southwest michigan, anyone know?

 

[lovethyscent]

I wish I had the room to store that much I always have trouble with the humidity here even in containers. There is a lady in michigan that delivers actually alexander
chemical corp. 517-256-1716 ask for darlene devanroux. She might be able to deliver to you.