What is Alum
JMO...@maine.maine.edu
said that it was used for pickling. What exactly is alum and what can you
pickle with it? I presume that it is some sort of mixture containing alu
minum.
Paul Andrews
Possibly not. I believe there is a plant called 'Alum'. But then, judging my problem
with sweetbreads I could be wrong.
- Paul
Shankar Bhattacharyya
> ......... What exactly is alum and what can you pickle with it?
> I presume that it is some sort of mixture containing aluminum.
Well, a compound containing aluminium, actually.
Alum is potassium aluminium sulfate. Sodium alum is the corresponding
sodium salt. There are others, too.
(It is remotely possible that common alum is the sodium salt, not the
potassium salt. I'm afraid I think of the class of compounds, not specific
ones, and have to go examine which one people mean.)
As to pickling, I don't know a thing about it.
- Shankar
Deanna J. Deeds
I believe the first poster is right in guessing alum is an aluminum compound.
It is used in pickling cucumbers for sure; I don't know what else. It is also
used as a dye mordant, which is why I buy it. I sure wish it were available
at my grocery store; the only place I've found it is via mail order.
cyt...@kato.wustl.edu
In too high a concentration, it provokes a puckered-mouth response.
Dave Malecki
Hey, I get to throw in my 2 cents worth. Alum is used in pickling (or was) to
preserve the crunchiness of the cucumber. Not a lot is used at all. Maybe 1/2
tsp per jar or something like that. If you ever taste it, you'll never forget it.
Remember the Sylvester and Tweety scetch where Tweety somehow feeds Sylvester
a mouthful of alum? His lips pursed up so much he couldn't eat Tweety. This is
not to far from the truth. It is extreamly sour/bitter. A few crystals will
fill your mouth with the taste. It does make attractive crystals though, as
every budding young chemist can tell you, I think its octohedral (two piramids
bottom to bottom).
Well, there it is. Everything you wanted to know about alum, but were afraid
to ask.
Dave Malecki
BNR owns, but does not share, my opinions.
Packman, Aaron I.
Alum is just aluminum sulfate. It's used as a coagulant in wastewater
treatment plants. I don't know how it can be used in cooking.
aaron packman
Damien Zachariah Bailey
>aaron packman
this week in lab, well actually this morning, our expirament was Synthesis of Alum.
Alums are "Double salts, they contain a positve ion of Sodium, potassium, thallium,
or silver; an ion of aluminum, iron, titanium, or cobalt, and in this case, a
sulfate ion. (SO4) I don't know if this helps, but that is what alum is.
--
I AM z...@matt.ksu.ksu.edu
Lady Dragon
> >I was in the grocery store yesterday and saw some alum. On the bottle it
> >said that it was used for pickling. What exactly is alum and what can you
> >pickle with it? I presume that it is some sort of mixture containing alu
> >minum.
Courtesy of: Random House Webster's College Dictionary
alum: 1. a crystalline solid, aluminum potassium sulfate, K2 SO4 AL2(SO4)3
24H2O used as an astringent and styptic and in dyeing and tanning.
I have a collection of kid's paint and play dough type recipes that use
alum to keep the stuff from goin bad. I am guessing that the little
bateria and such don't eat it.
email address: nuchat!xcluud!glnserv!kati =*= Houston, Texas, USA, Earth
Anne Chamberlain
I can't believe you can't find alum in your grocery store---it is usually
in the spice section right there with the cinnamon and oregano.
I also used it as a mordant in dying wool.
it is also called for in my recipe for playdough---I always assumed
to keep the dough "sweet"---so it would get moldy and smelly.
Anne
rein...@scivax.stsci.edu
I have found that Alum is a great medication for
cankor sores. Just dab a little directly on the
sore. It burns a little and the you are left with
the taste but the cankor sore is usually gone
within one day or maybe two.
Kent
Steve Berson
>I believe the first poster is right in guessing alum is an aluminum compound.
>It is used in pickling cucumbers for sure; I don't know what else. It is also
>used as a dye mordant, which is why I buy it. I sure wish it were available
>at my grocery store; the only place I've found it is via mail order.
I also have not seen alum in the supermarket, but any decent pharmacy will
have it.
Steve
--
=========================================================================
Steven Berson UCLA Computer Science Department (310) 825-3189
ste...@cs.ucla.edu Los Angeles, CA 90024-1596
=========================================================================
Shailendra Save
Also know as Aluminium ThioSulphate. Al2HSo4. My grandfather used it as
an aftershave (it is an astringent, and is not fragrant in the least) Tastes
like bitter lime.
-S
Eddie Van Huffel
If it cannot be found at the grocers, try the drug store. I get mine there.
--
ed...@railnet.nshore.ORG (Eddie Van Huffel)
Railnet BBS (phone # changing April 1992)
Babs Woods
>> In article 204947...@MAINE.MAINE.EDU, JMO...@MAINE.MAINE.EDU () writes:
>> >..............
>.............
>I have a collection of kid's paint and play dough type recipes that use
>alum to keep the stuff from goin bad. I am guessing that the little
>bateria and such don't eat it.
Could you post these please? My 3yr old goes through playdough like
water.
-babs
--
"Excuse me, while I dance a little jig of despair."
- had...@ics.uci.edu (Tedd Hadley)
Lady Dragon
> >I have a collection of kid's paint and play dough type recipes that use
> >alum to keep the stuff from goin bad. I am guessing that the little
> >bateria and such don't eat it.
>
> Could you post these please? My 3yr old goes through playdough like
> water.
> -babs
> --
found it at the library. They also help out with school projects.
NOTE: None of these are edible (but I don't think they are poisonous)
Title: Thin Paste
1/4 c Sugar
1/4 c Non-self-rising Wheat Flour
1/2 t Powdered Alum
1 3/4 c Water
1/4 t Oil of Wintergreen
1. Mix flour, sugar and alum together.
2. Gradually add 1 cup water, stirring vigorously to prevent lumps.
3. Boil until clear and smooth, stirring constantly.
4. Add remainder of water and oil of wintergreen. Stir until thoroughly
mixed.
Makes 1 pint.
How to Use It: Spread with a brush or tongue depressor. Thin Paste is an
excellent adhedsive for scrapbooks, collages and Paper-Mache (see recipe).
It can be stored in a jar for several months without refrigeration.
RECIPES FOR ART & CRAFT MATERIALS by Helen Roney Sattler
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Strip Paper-Mache'
1 x Stack of Newspapers
1 x Recipe for Thin Paste
1 x Object (optional)
1. Tear newspapers from fold down. For large objects, tear the strips 1"
to 1-1/2" wide. For small objects, tear the strips smaller.
2. If the paste is thick, thin it for easy spreading.
3. Lay paper strips on a sheet of newspaper and cover one of the strips
with paste. Strips may also be pulled through paste, but they take longer
to dry. Or paste can be applied to the object and the dry strips laid over
the paste.
How to use it: Strip Paper-Mache' is a good matierial for making small
animals, puppets, pinatas, masks and other articles. Cover your base or
armature (a balloon, a rolled newspaper frame, a jar, a light bulb) with
the strips of paste covered newspaper. Apply a second layer of strips in
the same manner, running these strips in the opposite direction. Continue
this way until you have built up 4-5 layers. To help you determine when
comic sections for alternate layers. Allow 1-2 days for drying.
RECIPES FOR ART & CRAFT MATERIALS by Helen Roney Sattler
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Title: Play Clay for Kids
2 c Baking soda
1 c Cornstarch
1 1/4 c Water
1. Mix cornstarch and baking soda, add water, mix. Bring to a boil,
stirring constantly. Thicken to consistancy of mashed potatoes (but
remember, these are not edible!)
2. Form clay into desired shapes, let dry for 36 hours, color with paint
or felt-tip markers (permanent type is recommended). Coat with shellac or
clear nail polish (spray shellac works great!)
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Title: Quick & Easy Modeling Dough
3/4 c Flour (any non-self rising)
1/2 c Salt
1 1/2 t Powdered Alum
1 1/2 t Vegetable Oil
1/2 c Boiling Water
1 x Food Coloring
1. Mix flour, salt and alum in a mixing bowl.
2. Add the vegetable oil and boiling water. Stir vigorouly with a spoon
until well blended. Dough should not stick to the sides of the bowl and
should be cool enough to handle.
3. Add food coloring and knead into dough until the color is well blended
and the dough is the desired tint.
Makes about 1 cup. Double the recipe for large projects. For groups, mix
several double recipes rather than one large amount.
How to use it: This is an excellent play dough. It has a smooth texture,
takes about 15 minutes to make, and dries to a hard finish overnight. You
can make lovely dough flowers as well as animals and other figures with
it. Store in a jar with a tight lid. Dough will keep several months
without refrigeration.
RECIPES FOR ART & CRAFT MATERIALS by Helen Roney Sattler
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Play Dough
2 1/4 c Non-self rising Wheat Flour
1 c Salt
1 T Powdered Alum
4 T Vegetable Oil
1 1/2 c Boiling Water
1 x Food Coloring/Poster Paints
1. Mix flour, salt, and alum. Add vegetable oil.
2. Stir in boiling water. Stir vigorously with a large spoon until mixture
holds together.
3. Knead the dough until it is smooth.
4. Divide the dough into several lumps. Add a few drops of food coloring
or poster paint to each lump and knead to mix the color into the dough.
Makes about 3 cups.
How to use it: Model as with clay. Objects will dry to a hard finish if
left in the open air. Paint the dried pieces with enamel, hyplar, or
tempera. Stored in an airtight container, Play Dough will keep a long
time.
RECIPES FOR ART & CRAFT MATERIALS by Helen Roney Sattler
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Salt & Cornstarch Modeling Dough
1 c Sand
1/2 c Cornstarch
1 t Powdered Alum
3/4 c Hot Water
1 x Food Coloring (optional)
1. Mix sand, cornstarch and alum.
2. Add hot water, stirring vigorously until well mixed.
3. Add food coloring, if desired and blend.
4. Cook over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly.
Makes about 2 cups.
How to use it: When sufficiently cooled, mold as desired. Dry in the
sunshine for several days. This modeling dough is grainy and stonelike; it
can be used to make interesting sculptures. It does not need shellac or
varnish to protect it. Store leftover dough in an airtight container.
RECIPES FOR ART & CRAFT MATERIALS by Helen Roney Sattler
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Soapsoads Clay
3/4 c Soap Powder (like Ivory Snow)
1 T Warm Water
1. Mix soap powder and water in a large mixing bowl.
2. Beat with an electric beater to a claylike consistancy.
Makes about 1 cup. This recipe may be doubled or tripled for larger
objects. Be sure you use the same proportions.
How to use it: Mold into figures and other objects. The clay dries to a
permanently hard finish.
To make simulated snow: Beat 2 parts soap powder to 1 part water and
spread like icing on a piece of heavy cardboard. This "icing" may also be
used to decorate cardboard Christmas tree ornaments. It dries to a smooth
rubbery surface overnight.
RECIPES FOR ART & CRAFT MATERIALS by Helen Roney Sattler
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Paper Paste
1/3 c Non-self-rising Wheat Flour
2 T Sugar
1 c Water
1/4 t Oil of Peppermint/Wintergreen
1. Mix flour and sugar. Gradually add water, stirring vigorously to
prevent lumps.
2. Cook over low heat until clear, stirring contantly.
3.Remove from stove and add oil of peppermint or oil of wintergreen. Stir
until well blended.
Makes about 1 cup.
How to use it: Spread it with a brush or tongue depressor. Soft, smooth,
thick and white, Paper Paste has a good spreading consistancy and is
especially appropriate for use with small children or for any paste-up
work. This paste can be stored in a covered jar for several weeks without
refrigeration.
RECIPES FOR ART & CRAFT MATERIALS BY Helen Roney Sattler.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Transparent Library Paste
3/4 c Rice Flour
2 T Sugar
3/4 c Cold Water
2 1/2 c Boiling Water
1/2 t Oil of Wintergreen
1. Mix rice flour and sugar with cold water in a pan. Stir until smooth.
2. Add boiling water.
3. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture
thickens.
4. Remove from heat and add oil of wintergreen.
Makes 1-1/2 pints.
How to use it: Spread with a brush or tongue depressor. Transparent
Library Paste is an excellent paste for mending books. Cut a piece of
white tissue paper the size and shape of the tear. Spread paste over the
tissue and lay the tissue over the tear. It will be transparent when it
dries. You can use this paste for tissue paper collage and scrapbooks. If
stored in a tightly sealed jar, it will keep for several months without
refrigeration.
RECIPES FOR ART & CRAFT MATERIALS by Helen Roney Sattler.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Classroom Paste
1 c Non-self-rising Wheat Flour
1 c Sugar
1 c Cold Water
4 c Boiling water
1 T Powdered Alum
1/2 t Oil of Wintergreen (opt.)
1. Mix flour and sugar. Slowly stir in cold water to form a paste.
2. Slowly add boiling water, stirring vigorously to prevent lumps.
3. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, until thick and clear.
4. Remove from heat and add alum. Stir until well mixed.
5. Add oil of wintergreen if paste is not to be used immediately.
Make about 1-1/2 quarts.
How to use it: Classroom Paste is a good all-purpose paste, especially
appropriate for work with children. It is also excellent for paper-mache'
projects. Stored in a closely capped jar, it will keep for several weeks.
It stores better than Paper Paste (see recipe) and is a little softer. It
can be thinned with hot water if it gets too thick for easy spreading.
RECIPES FOR ART & CRAFT MATERIALS by Helen Roney Sattler
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Play Clay
1/2 c Salt
1/2 c Hot Water
1/4 c Cold Water
1/2 c Cornstarch
1. Mix salt and hot water in a pan and bring to boiling point.
2. Stir cold water into the cornstarch.
3.Add cornstarch mixture to boiling water. Stir vigorously to prevent
lumps.
4. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is like stiff
pie dough.
5. Remove from heat and turn out onto a breadboard to cool.
6. As soon as mixture is cool enough to handle, knead until smooth and
pliable.
Makes about 1-1/2 cups.
How to use it: Play Clay has a grainy texture and is excellent for
flattening with a rolling pin and cutting into shapes to make mobile and
Christmas tree decorations. It dries and hardens in 1-2 days. To speed up
drying time, bake on a cookie sheet in an oven at 200 degrees for 1 hour.
Wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic, or kept in an airtight container, it
will keep a long time without refrigeration.
RECIPES FOR ART & CRAFT MATERIALS by Helen Roney Sattler
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jamey Butteris
Actually:
1al um \'al-em\ n
[ME, fr. MF alum, alun, fr. L alumen more at ALE]
(14c)
1: a potassium aluminum sulfate KAl(SO4)2 12H2O or an ammonium aluminum
sulfate NH4Al(SO4)2 12H2O used esp. as an emetic and as an astringent and
styptic
2: any of various double salts iomorphous with potassium aluminum sulfate
3: ALUMINUM SULFATE
2alum \e-'lem\ n
[by shortening]
(1930)
:ALUMNUS, ALUMNA
:-)
Jamey B @ SSC