K2CO3 or KHCO3?

[HunterandtheHarp]

Trying to source some buffering agent for my meads.

One location has KHCO3 for $14.95 a kilo but another has it at $65.00 for 500grams. The second state it is technically Potassium Hydrogen Carbonate and is otherwise known as baking soda.

But pretty sure those who use it here use K2CO3.

Anyone want to help a brother out. Is the hydrogen carbonate the same as the other one? Or should i source K2CO3?

Thanks very much

Joel

 

[Jessiegaddy]

Sodium Bicarbonate is baking soda NaHCO3 . You want potassium carbonate K2CO3 or potassium bicarbonate KHCO3.

 

[HunterandtheHarp]

Yeh that's what I'm saying. The KHCO3 is sold in two places. One for ten bucks a kilo the other for $120 a kilo. The expensive one is the hydrogen carbonate not sodium carbonate but they call it baking soda. So confused.

 

[Farmboyc]

Pretty easy. Buy the $10/kilo stuff ad long as it is food grade.

 

[Jessiegaddy]

Hydrogen carbonate Hco3 does not have potassium. Try to get the potassium carbonate is has more potassium in it than potassium bicarbonate. The potassium is the main ph buffer.

 

[Jessiegaddy]

Oops meant more potassium for the yeast. But get the first stuff for 14.95 .

 

[HunterandtheHarp]

Oops meant more potassium for the yeast. But get the first stuff for 14.95 .

You know, I thought i was following you right up to this point. Because the $14.95 stuff is also the KHCO3. But it's from a wine shop used for food grade buffering.

But.......I'll just look a little longer for the potassium carbonate K2CO3 perhaps.

 

[Jessiegaddy]

Sorry for that I was talking with some clients about mead and showing them the website at the same time. Both will work for ph buffering the same the real difference is in potassium levels. Look for loveofrose post and follow the link to his site it has a lot of good info there. He has a PHD and I am just a personal chef. My clients liked the BOMMs I let them try BTW.