[euroclydon]

I have a five gallon container of NaOH that I intend to make soap with one day. Should I use a little of that, or is there a more tame kitchen staple which is caustic?

[Alex3917]

"I have a five gallon container of NaOH that I intend to make soap with one day"

Don't use it without checking the MSDS to make sure it's pure. You can also buy food grade KOH from specialty food sites, which is much safer to work with. (It's commonly used to make lutefisk.)

Alternatively, you could just use Beano.

[cperciva]

If you throw beans into concentrated NaOH they probably won't be edible any more. A pH of 8.5 is probably good -- try baking soda.

[tptacek]

Check out what happens if you mix a very little bit of baking soda with eggs. Alkalinity speeds up maillard reactions.