Lye percentage

[Craig Allison]

The ratio I've been using is around 1# of lye to 5 gallons of water.
Works great especially when it's hot outside.

I've read of folks using much higher amounts of lye with good results.

I'm getting ready to start a larger tank for doing larger pieces. Hopefully running it through most of the Kansas winter.
Is the 1 to 5 ratio going to be effective in cold weather or should it be higher?

[Russell Ware]

The ratio you are using is not quite what you think. Five gallons of water weighs about 42 pounds. So your ratio is 1:42, not 1:5. Your current concentration in your lye bath is just over 2% (~2.4). Most people here use at least 5% lye, or in your case 2 pounds of lye in 5 gallons of water. So your lye bath has half the strength of my lye bath. There are other people here that use 10% lye solutions, which would be 4 pounds of lye in your 5 gallons of water.

[Craig Allison]

OK Thanks. I may have misunderstood what I thought I knew. Info from another site.

Looks like I'll buy some more lye.

[Cheryl Watson]

Craig, I have always mixed my lye baths with 2lbs per 5 gallon.

Now the caveat...

1.  make sure your container can handle the weight of the iron + liquid.   I use BRUTE containers, and have a hanger system to retrieve pieces. (So I never have to reach very far into the solution)
2.  Never ever try to move a Lye Bath that contains solution.
3.  When working with my Lye Baths I wear Chemical Gloves (not dishwashing gloves) AND a Full Face Shield. Protect those eyes! if a large piece I might pull on a Vinyl Apron also!
4.  I keep an 'active' hose at my feet, just incase an emergency rinse is needed.

 

[Craig Allison]

And I assume it's OK to add more lye to the tank that I'm currently using.
As long as I add lye to the water and not the water to the lye.

[Cheryl Watson]

Yes.  Adding more is sometimes necessary. :)