I found the Rooto lye crystals at a local Ace hardware store. No, I haven't made my first batch yet, but seems like it's all I can think about these days (was laid off last month and jobs in my field are not to be found). So have the time and need to read up and compare prices on equipment and materials. Can't seem to get a crockpot at any of the thrift stores, so Big Lot is the best price so far. May try a 1 lb. batch in the next day or so in the oven before purchasing crockpot, but not sure whether I want to give up my ss stock pot to soaping:cheesy2: I have olive pomace and castor oils so far, and hope to buy 1 gal of coconut oil tomorrow on 20% off day for $20. Though saw a 25-lb container of Vo-Pop popcorn oil for $35 that had coconut oil, artificial butter flavor, and color added with beta carotene. I think I read on the Miller Soaping site that people use this, get lovely yellow color, but not sure if everything is going to smell like butter. Anyone ever use butter flavored coconut oil?