[Bearshouse]

I've read some about the process, but from what I understand the results are often unstable and unreliable. Soap requires fairly precise measurements so you have to calculate the saponification values of the types of oil you use in relation to the sodium or potassium hydroxide that you use. If you can't rely on the strength of the lye, you have lost the calculations before you begin and will wind up with a useless goop.

If you know of some good literature on the process, please pass it on.

[RipSawyer]

http://www.journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_ashlye.html

This linked website is my only reference, I remember my mother making soap with lye and she said she had seen it done with wood ashes, the only drawback she mentioned was that it was more work. The website describes what sounds like an accurate way to test the strength of the solution by using a homemade tool to determine specific gravity. They recommend hardwood ashes only and I found it interesting that they recommend Apple wood ashes for white soap. Only rainwater is recommended for the leaching process so as to avoid minerals, I would probably use water from a dehumidifier.