Another test you could do is to make up a new batch of titrating solution with your old lye and see if it titrates the wvo to the same numbers as your previous titrating solution. If they differ significantly, that's your culprit, or at least a big part of it.
I mix indoors in the basement, but I replaced one of the basement windows with a custom ventilation fan that does a nice job of it.
Humidity matters.
Finest regards,
troy[ Parent ]
I do have another question for you though. Somewhere I read that the glycerine layer should be simi-solid at temps lower than 100F. On most all the batches I've made I have wound up with what appears to be a glyerine layer (dark chesnut color) non of which are solid or simi solid even down to temps of 45 of 50 F. Am I getting a true glycerine layer?[ Parent ]
Glycerine is highly variable. It may stay liquid or it may not. The key issue is if you have clear separation into two layers after reaction and settling by proper cookbook methods. The lower layer will be darker and more viscous. If that is true, it's glycerin. You should also get a certain volume, between 10 and 20% of the original volume as glycerin. If you get less than that, or more than that, something is probably wrong.
A higher percentage of methanol will tend to keep the glycerin liquid, the use of KOH instead of NaOH will also keep the byproduct liquid better. The presence of water (which can cause all sorts of other trouble...) will keep the glycerine more liquid. The age, quality and type of oil will also affect the glycerin somewhat.
HTH,
