Ok, This might be a dumb question, but the thought had crossed my mind when mixing my lye solution and while I was stirring and stirring I thought....could I use my stick-blender? I was too chicken to do it because of the caustic quality of the lye. Please enlighten one who is always thinking of ways to make the process more efficient. Thanks, Vicki in NC
I don't know why you would want/need to. My lye mixes pretty easily. Or maybe you're using frozen/slushy milk? Either way, I'd be too worried about lye water/milk getting splashed.
Kathy, Yes, I do use frozen/slushy milk. I guess that is why using a stick blender crossed my mind. My lye dissolves in the milk but around the walls of my container it seems like it never completely dissolves. I try to use the spoon to get it, but it seems to be grainey on the walls of my container. The lye solution itself is dissolved and I never have had a problem with my soap. So I was just curious. Thanks, Vicki in NC
Okay, I got you. I quit using milk in my lye solution earlier this year. But I do recall the solution looking grainy. Probably some of the milk fat is saponifying already. I guess a stick blender might smooth it out some. You'd want to be very careful with it though.
I have been making soap for 7 years now, and I use a stick blender every time. I chop up the milk pour on the lye and take the stick blender and mash down the chunks as soon as there is enough liquid to cover the blades good I turn it on. I've rarely been splashed.
