bugtussle Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 We really got some bad Rooto lye. It must not have been 100% lye. We made a batch of Dacquiri in early Jan and some oils separated and pooled in the middle of the log, both top and bottom. You can see on pics the deep ruts. For the heck of it, I drained out the oils and let it start setting up. Most stayed mush. On left is a bar remade 2 wks later with AAA lye. It's beautiful. Just trashed ther bad bars.This happened with 2 batches before we realized what was going on. The gardenia batch did the same thing, but I cut off the deep dips and let it harden. Wierd soap, way over superfatted. No bubbles and felt like a grease bar. Trashed it too. Carole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faerywren Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 I always recommend people buy lye from AAA or The Lye Guy or some other supplier that sells lye specifically for soapmaking. Regardless of what hardware store lye says on the label, 100% lye can be full of junk and impurities when it's just used for unclogging a drain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Roebic has been absolutely fine for years, Julia. This is a recent issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuminousBoutique Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 I havent had a bad batch yet.. I buy it by the case though. So all the bottles are from the same batch. Hope its not a large production issue. I'm switching over to lye by the bag but I still have 12 bottles to work through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudsnwicks Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Roebic has been absolutely fine for yearsYep, and Red Devil lye before that. I guess this Rooto problem is just plain bad luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faerywren Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I started out using the Roebic lye and would occasionally find blue specks of something in the lye. Thought it was kind of sketchy so quit using it after that. It never gave me any bad batches, just looked, for lack of a better word, impure.Yep, and Red Devil lye before that. I guess this Rooto problem is just plain bad luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8-GRAN-ONES Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 i know that you should not have to do this...but i have gotten in the habit....if i am in doubt at alli strain mine before adding it to the soap..just in case there are even any little particles not dissolved... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asheebeans Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Rooto sucks! I threw out three batches of botched soap before I figured out it was the lye! I made the same recipe with Roebic and no problems! I usually get my lye in co-ops now. It gets too spendy buying smaller quantities from hardware stores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8-GRAN-ONES Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 i just bought me 2 nd. 50lb bag...they first one was wonderful.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soycrazy Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Wow I never had problems with rooto. I love AAA though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moon01945 Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I have been using "the lye guy" no issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuminousBoutique Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 yeah I've used Rooto for years without a problem, but the cost is whats driving me to start buing 50# bags.How do you guys store your 50#'s of lye? I was thinking plastic buckets but I'm worried about moisture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitn Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 there can be bad batches of lye made , A friend uses the same lye I do , different province, my lye was fine, hers had to be returned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 I store the lye in big buckets. I bought nifty screw on lids for them.http://www.gamma2.net/new/GSL.html(I got mine off Ebay years ago) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuminousBoutique Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 I store the lye in big buckets. I bought nifty screw on lids for them.http://www.gamma2.net/new/GSL.html(I got mine off Ebay years ago)awesome, thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andee Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 (edited) yeah I've used Rooto for years without a problem, but the cost is whats driving me to start buing 50# bags.How do you guys store your 50#'s of lye? I was thinking plastic buckets but I'm worried about moisture.If you live in a dry climate, you won't have too many issues by storing your lye in buckets. I store my lye in buckets both at work and at home. Naturally, I use more lye at work, but my bucket at home doesn't have any issues either. I occasionally get clumps, but those are easy to break up and they can be there when I first open the bag.Andeeblog.thesage.comPS I've also talked to people who live in humid climates and they don't have any issues with storing in buckets either. Edited February 13, 2010 by Andee Another thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bells4shells Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 I recently had to purchase lye elsewhere since I had been using Roebic before. I got some from the lye guy recently. My only issue is static. Anyone have tips for that? The beads kinda go all over my countertop while pouring into my container to measure. Didn't have that problem before... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 1. don't pour into a plastic container2. wipe the outside and lid of the lye bottle with a fabric softener sheet before you open it. then give it a good sharp rap on the counter top (while still tightly closed).3. wipe inside the lye bottle with the fabric softener sheet4. I work on a terry towel when messing about with lye. I set my balance on top of a small board and put that on the towel. any escaping lye gets trapped in the loops, so I can then bundle it up and toss it into the washing machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faerywren Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Great tips! Thanks.1. don't pour into a plastic container2. wipe the outside and lid of the lye bottle with a fabric softener sheet before you open it. then give it a good sharp rap on the counter top (while still tightly closed).3. wipe inside the lye bottle with the fabric softener sheet4. I work on a terry towel when messing about with lye. I set my balance on top of a small board and put that on the towel. any escaping lye gets trapped in the loops, so I can then bundle it up and toss it into the washing machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smittenheart Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 (edited) yup...I just got some of the bum batch of Rooto lye..I was down to the last of my older Rooto soo I went to the store and bought more bottles..I have been going between both the new and old ones..and have NOW exclusively used the new one and have had 3 batches fail..grrr!!same recipes I have been using for years,checked my scale as I do before EVERY batch..soo bummed..off to do some internet lye shopping Edited March 5, 2010 by smittenheart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlc26 Posted March 6, 2010 Share Posted March 6, 2010 My price on my lye was good. I only got one bag (50lbs) but when I get around to dividing it up. I will have some up for sale in the classy's if anyone needs!!!I will sell for $1 a pound plus shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rae Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 That's a real shame! I buy all mine from the lye guy and have never had a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.