Make the lye solution. Weigh out 30 grams, about one ounce, of the food-grade lye (NaOH) pellets and add it to one liter of water, about one quart. Do not add water to the small pile of lye, you will cause a violent reaction as the lye releases heat. Stir until dissolved.
Can you use something else besides lye? Yes and no. You can dunk the pretzels into hot water with sodium carbonate (not sodium bicarbonate) in it, as in this YouTube video about pretzel baking but according to the connoisseurs they won't taste the same. Baking soda won't give you quite the same crust and boiling water makes a pretzel-shaped bagel. Egg wash results in a roll with egg wash, nothing more.
