Sodium Hydroxide – Pure – Food Grade (Caustic Soda, Lye) (2 Pound Jar)

Description

This is the highest quality food grade lye available. Also known
as NaOH and caustic soda. This is an inorganic chemical at minimum 99% pure. It
is a white solid and highly caustic metallic base and alkali salt. Sodium
hydroxide is soluble in water, ethanol and methanol. This alkali is
deliquescent and readily absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide in air. In Soap
Making: Lye is mixed with water to create a lye solution. Lye solution, when
mixed with fats and oils, will cause a chemical reaction called saponification
(fancy for soap). The result of saponification is beautiful handmade soap. In
Food Prep: Food uses of sodium hydroxide include wGreat ashing or chemical
peeling of fruits and vegetables, chocolate and cocoa processing, caramel
coloring production, poultry scalding, soft drink processing, and thickening
ice cream. Olives are often soaked in sodium hydroxide for softening; Pretzels
and German lye rolls are glazed with a sodium hydroxide solution before baking
to make them crisp. Owing to the difficulty in obtaining food grade sodium
hydroxide in small quantities for home use, sodium carbonate is often used in
place of sodium hydroxide. In Cleaning: Industrial, or technical, grade lye is
often used as a cleaner and is the active ingredient in common drain cleaners.
Sodium silicate is often used as a corrosion inhibitor to prevent lye from
corroding pipes while it removes the blockage. Citric acid, or other acids, are
often used in coordination with lye as it creates an exothermic reaction (heat)
to leave sodium acetate (a salt) and water. An alternative, but less effective
alternative is sodium bicarbonate.