Abarger16 Posted June 7, 2023 Share Posted June 7, 2023 I was curious if using this to clean my food barrels before use is okay. Instant Power Crystal Lye Drain Opener, 16 oz https://www.walmart.com/ip/55227093 I planned on using lye and dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff.Tichenor Posted June 7, 2023 Share Posted June 7, 2023 That's crazy dangerous. Not sure it's worth the risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abarger16 Posted June 7, 2023 Author Share Posted June 7, 2023 Using lye in general or using a lye sold for drain cleaning purposes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eatfrenchfries Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 (edited) Lye is caustic but powerful stuff. Pretty good for raising pH and Alk but takes some work to keep going on a doser. Used it to clean a tank wipe before. Residual amounts are okay in a system. It would be best used with plastic marked #2 (HDPE) or #5 (PP) code in recycling. Food grade can be a few different materials so please verify as thing like PET or LDPE are not safe to be used with lye. Wear protection and be ready for the heat when mixing. Edited June 8, 2023 by Eatfrenchfries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff.Tichenor Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 18 hours ago, Abarger16 said: Using lye in general or using a lye sold for drain cleaning purposes? Using lye in general. That stuff will melt flesh. Must use appropriate protection on hands, arms, eyes, etc. Any exposed skin is at risk. Hand washing a large barrel with it would likely need a full body suit. Not worth it IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdxmonkeyboy Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 I use lye all the time to recharge di resin. The only thing it does is raise the PH to crazy amounts, it doesn't have any detergent qualities. So essentially, there is no use in using lye. Just use dawn and a hot water rinse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abarger16 Posted June 14, 2023 Author Share Posted June 14, 2023 Thanks for all the input guys! I ended up using citric acid and dawn and it cleaned out really well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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