If fear of working with sodium hydroxide (Lye) is all that is stopping you from making these excellent bagels; please have faith in yourself ! Team up with a good friend if you must have "backup" LOL ! As for dealing with lye; you need only have a spray bottle of vinegar diluted with 25% water. It will totally neutralize any spilled lye in a flash, whether on the counter, floor, or you. The lye solution in this recipe will tingle; but not a second longer than it takes for you to spritz the vinegar solution on. I promise you, once you taste the first bite of these incredible bagels; there will be no stopping you ! P.S. Once you are finished cooking, pour 2 cups of undiluted vinegar into the lye cooking solution, and let cool. It will then be safe to pour down your sink, even if you have pvc or aluminum fittings. The lye will be neutralized instantly, it's the heat that wrecks havoc on sink fittings. Spritz ALL your cooking items with the spray bottle of vinegar/water if you want to be certain no sneaky drops of lye are lurking about, then rinse. I've been making soaps for over 11 years, so with confidence I can state: NEVER, EVER start any project with lye Unless you have vinegar water Ready-To-Spritz ! Happy Cooking To ALL !

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