To do the first mix is about 45 minutes. Making the lye solution outdoors, melting down the fats, and letting them cool.

Then after mixing the two, I'll whisk it for 10 minutes, then every 30 minutes until it forms the trace, like a thick custard. Then I pour it in a mold and about 12 hours later I can take it out and cut it.

Now it's about 6 weeks to cure before it's safe to use. All the lye needs to finish reacting and it needs to lose most of its water content.