@chryspano There's also the little matter of using KOH. I looked over their materials source list and I think they may have been using Sodium Hydroxide. The manufacturer lists the ingredient as Sodium not Potassium These things are very similar, but not the same and it could have effected results.

Fortunately I have access to a lab that uses reagent grade KOH for cleaning the lab glass.
Thinking I'll try the experiment with reagent grade KOH from the lab and also some drain cleaner from Walmart and see if there is a difference. I suspect there will be.