- 1). Pour 3 cups of refrigerated water into a 2 qt. saucepan.
- 2). Add 12 oz. of lye slowly, stirring continuously with a wooden or plastic spoon. Wear gloves and protective eye wear as lye is very caustic and will do damage if it gets on your skin or in your eyes. Do not use a metal pan or spoon, and do not lean over the pan or breathe in the fumes. The mixture will heat up in the pan.
- 3). Let mixture cool. Meanwhile, place 3 lbs. of lard in a dishpan and allow to come to room temperature.
- 4). Pour the lye mixture into the dishpan with the lard. Pour slowly so that there are no splashes. The lye mixture will melt the lard. Mix with the wooden or plastic spoon until the mixture thickens to the consistency of pudding.
- 5). Let the mixture sit in the dishpan overnight to harden. Cut into equal-sized bars with a large, sharp knife. Set on a rack to dry for several days to harden.