[MR] Re:Soap Making

[Burgin.Deborah at epamail.epa.gov]

The reason for this very important truth is two-fold (for all you folks out
there, who, like me, want to know *why*).  The lye reacts vigorously with
the water and creates a lot of heat.  Water makes an excellent heat sink
(why they use it for cooling in nuclear power plants).  By pouring the lye
into the water, you already have the sink so the heat is dispersed and
doesn't explode the glass container, if that is what you are using.  The
second reason is that you always pour the more "dangerous" substance into
the less dangerous one, controlling the reaction.  Any splashes that may
occur would be of the water, not the lye.  For example, if you drop an ice
cube into a cup of hot water, the resulting splash would be of hot water
(and I have the burns to prove it - sheesh, even chemists screw up
occasionally!).
I hope that satisfies the need-to-know urge in everyone.  Hopefully, now
that you know *why* potential accidents will be avoided.

Gisele




You NEVER pour the water into the lye, even with tall
pitchers.  You pour the lye into the water!

Rebecca