Wood ash being added to the fiber.
Rinsing the cooked fiber. Yummy.
Now, you need to boil the plant material in an alkaline solution to further decompose the non-fibrous material and separate it from the fiber. Fill your large pot with water, and add a couple of cups or more of wood ash. Wood ash is the traditional caustic additive used. The slightly out of focus picture to the left shows wood ash being added to the plant material. Please see the materials page and tips & tricks page for details regarding wood ash and alternate additives.
Boil your plant material in the solution for at least a couple of hours. Some plants may need more time than others. You are cooking the plant, and you'll know it is 'done' when it breaks apart easily. You are literally 'breaking down' the plant.
When you feel the plant material has boiled long enough, give it a good, long rinse in your big strainer. We used a modified cover from a house fan. You can see a better picture of it on the tools page.
When you are done rinsing, you are ready to proceed to step 4.