I use a 2lb of lye to 5 gallon of water ratio, and it does clean much faster.
I also religiously wear Chemical grade gloves, AND a full face shield which I don before taking the lid off the lye bath.
All skin surfaces are covered.....
Safety...safety... always.
I have also decided that when next spring arrives, all lye baths will be emptied of the "food grade" crapola, and I will return to using Rooto or Roebic.
I have grown weary of the food grade, which in my opinion, based on 2 years of observations, just does not work AS well, and requires more constant 'beefing' up with more lye crystals needing to be added very frequently, and less effective
I started with Tech Grade, so the difference has become more obvious to me.
While initially more expensive, I believe in the long term, the regular ole drain cleaner will actually cost me less.
Especially since I now have the HDPE barrels which should allow me to keep the baths full over the winter months.