Is food grade caustic soda needed when following cybs tek method

[SunshineMaker]

Curious of the end result of non food grade soda vs food grade and if it's necessary when using the named method, this is my first attempt and just want to triple check some thing's.

 

[bodymechanics]

Curious of the end result of non food grade soda vs food grade and if it's necessary when using the named method, this is my first attempt and just want to triple check some thing's.

I just use pure lye drain cleaner. These work for me

 

[610nanometres]

Curious of the end result of non food grade soda vs food grade and if it's necessary when using the named method, this is my first attempt and just want to triple check some thing's.

I've never thought about it. Is there such a thing as 'food grade' NaOH?
Like bodymechanics, I just use 'caustic soda' and haven't had any side effects yet. Not something I would worry about, but that's just me.

 

[SunshineMaker]

I've never thought about it. Is there such a thing as 'food grade' NaOH?
Like bodymechanics, I just use 'caustic soda' and haven't had any side effects yet. Not something I would worry about, but that's just me.

Yes apparently it has less impurities and is used to preserve or soften food such the crust on pretzels. I had read somewhere to only use food grade as it is more refined and in return you eliminate adding more unknown impurities in the extraction.

 

[ermit]

Food-grade products are always better (you're sure that the product is free from harmful impurities, heavy metals etc. coming from the factory).
I was lucky enough to get "food-grade labelled" lye, as it is used in some cooking recipes / food production. The best would be lab-grade products (but often it's even more expensive and difficult to buy). However, I personally would not stress too much if the products are pure enough (over 99%).

 

[acacian]

Food grade or lab grade for sure.. not all hardware bought lye is born equal

 

[bodymechanics]

After a water wash and reX I feel pretty good about getting rid of impurities.

 

[acacian]

You would need to have extracts analyzed to best know the result, however hardware store lye can sometimes have trace detergents in it.. a friend found this.

IMO it’s best practice to use the absolute purest chemicals possible in extraction. 100% NaOH gives you piece of mind that there’s no other foreign compounds being introduced into the equation. Food grade you can be sure there’s no additives as it is going to be used by bakers for example.. can’t be adding detergents to your pretzels!

Same goes for solvent.. analytical grade is ideal.. but generally yeah if it evaps clean then you should be fine.

All this adds up to piece of mind, if anything.

 

[DancinDog]

Where can food-grade lye be purchased locally in the US? Would an international grocery be likely to have it? Do certain ethnic groups commonly use it for cooking?

 

[acacian]

It’s used in pretzel making so companies that sell various baking ingredients are a good start. It should be pretty easy to purchase food grade lye online.