Do I need to remove bail handles before soaking in lye bath?

[Joseph Leverton]

I just dropped a couple of Dutch oven’s and a griddle with a bail handle in lye bath. was i supposed to take off the handles?

 

[Doug D.]

No. The steel will not be harmed. Removing tempered steel bail handles is to be avoided. If wood is also involved, like on a tea kettle handle, that part should be kept out of lye, electrolysis, and the oven.

 

[Joseph Leverton]

Thank you Doug. I always appreciate your wisdom.