ALWAYS add lye to water.  NEVER pour water into lye.  NEVER mix chlorine
with lye or a solution of lye and water.

Putting powdered lye into water releases a great deal of heat which is
dissipated in the water.  If water is put into powdered lye, the water is
quickly heated to boiling and the resulting steam can be released with
"explosive" results.

The lye/bleach trick does indeed release chlorine gas quickly from
solution with compromising results to tender beekeeper mucus membranes.

On Fri, 16 Feb 2001, Bill Truesdell wrote:

> [log in to unmask] wrote:

> > > Lye and Chlorox are two seperate entities.  Mix and you have an
> explosion.  Lye is a stronge base and Chlorox is a mild acid.

> Lye is extremely dangerous. Even adding it to water can have serious
> consequences. Not sure about explosive with bleach, though, based on the
> technical definition of explosive. It is highly reactive and will
> generate a lot of heat when water is added.

---------------
Richard Yarnell, SHAMBLES WORKSHOPS | No gimmick we try, no "scientific"
Beavercreek, OR. Makers of fine     | fix we attempt, will save our planet
Wooden Canoes, The Stack(R) urban   | until we reduce the population. Let's
composter, Raw Honey                | leave our kids a decent place to live.