Soda crystals price rise -can I buy cheaper?

ejsmith

This darn recession is costing me a fortune! For years I've embraced my slow cooker, loved offal and cheaper cuts of meat and used liberal amounts of soda crystals to clean but now everyone's cottoned on the prices have risen. Soda crystals at my local Asda have risen by about 30p a packet (94p for 1 kg) so my mum and I are looking for some bargains. Dad converts used oil to use as fuel for their cars and this involves soda crystals too so we'd be happy to bulk buy and share between us. I confidently started an internet search but have found nothing, the only UK manufacturer sells via ebay, which is more expensive than Asda. There was an Irish site but agin this was more expensive. I tried looking at business sites, like for professional kitchens, but still drew a blank. I'm beginning to wonder whether soda crystals are used in the manufacture of naughty things like bombs or crack cocaine which is why I can't source it. Anyone any ideas? Is there an industry that is a heavy user? Does Makro/Costco have it cheaper (not sure how I will get a card if they do but I'm sure I'll manage somehow!)

(A soon to be not very sparkling) Elizabeth

Paul_Varjak

I seem to recall that the price of cooking oil went up in Asda too - for the very reason that people used it as fuel for their cars!

blue_haddock

I buy mine from home bargains for about 59p for a big bag (probably about a kilo)

lurkylurky

84p in Wilkos today.

Brooktop

84p is the actual RRP. Some of the supermarlets have been selling it as a loss-leader. Not sure it can be used for anything naughty though; don't think I'd want to take it internally in any shape or form :eek:

Peartree

I noticed that soda crystals had gone up everywhere. I was buying them for around 60p and they've suddenly gone up nearly 50% all over the place.

If they are used in the manufacture of anything nasty I'm sure it isn't anything that wasn't knocking around six months ago. Mystery!

By the way, Brooktop, Sodium Carbonate (aka soda crystals) is very widely used as a food additive. It is also in your toothpaste.

None of the above explains why the sudden price rise. I think it is associated with the production of salt but can't see that the recent run on salt could have affected the price yet!

Forgetful

whereabouts u live??

mjm3346

Sainsburys have the Dri-Pak Limited 1Kg bags at 73p

sassyblue

I've been buying it in Tescos for 68p per bag - hope it's still that price after reading this thread.

Edit: Online tescos says 95p now *annoyed face*

Brooktop

Peartree wrote: »

By the way, Brooktop, Sodium Carbonate (aka soda crystals) is very widely used as a food additive. It is also in your toothpaste.

Peartree - sure you're not getting mixed up with Sodium Bicarbonate ie the main ingredient in Baking Soda and used in Arm & Hammer toothpaste?
The only use I've heard of for Soda Crystals is in steeping peas and adding a bit to the water you cook apples etc in to stop them going brown.

The cheapest place to probably buy in bulk is Wing Yip Chinese Cash & Carry who do them in 10kg and 25kg bags. Or you can buy them direct from the manufacturer www.dri-pak.co.uk

Peartree

Brooktop wrote: »

Peartree - sure you're not getting mixed up with Sodium Bicarbonate

Yes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_carbonate