…… Water Glassing Issue?

[JMG91]

I'm not sure if this is actually an issue or not, but I wanted to get everyone's take on it. I just read today that, if hydrated lime--which is used to water glass eggs--is not kept airtight, it will mix with carbon in the air and basically become chalk. I don't want to waste a bunch of eggs trying this out if we have been storing the lime improperly.

I bought a 50 lb. bag of it in 2019 or 2020, and my husband ripped it open to give some to his family, then tied it up in a garbage bag and stored it in the shed. The guy who commented under one of the water glassing videos said lime that was not stored airtight became chalk and would not work for preservation. Does anyone know if this would indeed be an issue? I tried looking it up, but couldn't find exactly the information I needed. Answers from any folks who have done this before would be appreciated.

 

[thorr]

Looking forward to a reply also.

What I found on the web made it seem possible to “go” bad.
Another person said to feel it and gently smell it.
Should have a clean smell and drying effect on hands.

On a side note, I’ve just started using my glassed eggs from 10-01-2021. Have used a dozen so far, around 4 dozen left..
The white is a little runnier but they fried over medium and scrambled just fine. I do crack them one at a time in a mug first..
I believe this was 16oz lime to 2 gallon water in a pickle butter and stored in a cellar..

 

[JMG91]

Yes, I also read that you can test it with vinegar, and if it doesn't fizz, it's still good. Mine fizzed a smidge, but not much more; the amount of fizz is an indicator of how much carbon has gotten into it. I just want to make sure as I'd hate to waste eggs this year doing this only to find out that it didn't work and the eggs went bad. That would suck.

 

[Toosh]

Is that the same as garden lime? I routinely store garden lime and it appears to be fine from year to year. A 50lb bag lasts me about 5 years and the pellets are the same consistency on year 5 and year 1. The pH is sweetened after I apply it. That's all I know.

 

[JMG91]

No, this is hydrated lime or slaked lime. It's different than the stuff you find in the garden section.

 

[Marie]

I'm not sure if this is actually an issue or not, but I wanted to get everyone's take on it. I just read today that, if hydrated lime--which is used to water glass eggs--is not kept airtight, it will mix with carbon in the air and basically become chalk. I don't want to waste a bunch of eggs trying this out if we have been storing the lime improperly.

I bought a 50 lb. bag of it in 2019 or 2020, and my husband ripped it open to give some to his family, then tied it up in a garbage bag and stored it in the shed. The guy who commented under one of the water glassing videos said lime that was not stored airtight became chalk and would not work for preservation. Does anyone know if this would indeed be an issue? I tried looking it up, but couldn't find exactly the information I needed. Answers from any folks who have done this before would be appreciated.

Traditionally it should be kept airtight as it will not be able to be used for preservation. I really don't know if the way you have it would keep out the carbon dioxide. I'd ask somebody else though as I'm not certain.

 

[JMG91]

Hmm, in that case, I may leave the two dozen eggs I've done so far for a couple of months and see how they turn out. (If it's no longer preserving the eggs, I would think they'd go all nasty by then.) In the meantime, I will try to get as much of that hydrated lime in an airtight container as possible. I really hope it's still good, since no one carries the stuff down south here in my AO. I had to order that bag from up north and it wasn't cheap.

 

[thorr]

I’m using 5 gallon pickle buckets with gasket lids. I’m stepping up to four buckets of around 50 eggs a bucket. I’m impressed with the results. Probably won’t start again until early fall.
The girls are doing well right now and selling enough surplus to feed themselves.
13 hens and a roo
Bestest birds....

 

[mecoastie]

I have heard that as well. If you dont use a lot just get the small bags of pickling lime from WM.

 

[JMG91]

Fortunately, I just joined a homesteading group, and the leader told me where I could get another 50 lb. bag locally. So, I plan to purchase another bag, and vacuum seal the majority of it this time--that should solve the airtight issue.