Confused about different soda names!

picklednut

Are bicarbonate of soda, baking soda and soda crystals the same thing?

angeltreats

Baking soda and bicarbonate of soda are exactly the same. You might also see "bread soda" in some recipes and this is the same thing too.

Soda crystals are definitely not the same - they are for cleaning not cooking.

Gigervamp

And baking *powder* is different from baking *soda*, just to confuse you more!

angeltreats

Gigervamp wrote: »

And baking *powder* is different from baking *soda*, just to confuse you more!

But it does *contain* baking soda! :rotfl:

System

baking powder = baking soda + acid salts + starch
baking soda = sodium bicarbonate = bicarbonate of soda.

picklednut

Thanks for the replies. For cleaning purposes if a "recipe" says to mix vinegar and bicarbonate of soda can you replace the bicarbonate with soda crystals? I seem to be able to find cheap big bags of soda crystals but bicarbonate of soda only seems to come in the small tubs near the baking section.

angeltreats

picklednut wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. For cleaning purposes if a "recipe" says to mix vinegar and bicarbonate of soda can you replace the bicarbonate with soda crystals? I seem to be able to find cheap big bags of soda crystals but bicarbonate of soda only seems to come in the small tubs near the baking section.

It's different stuff. Soda crystals is sodium carbonate. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. It has a different texture as well as a different chemical compound. You can buy big bags of bicarbonate of soda though that are suitable for cleaning but not cooking, my mum used to always have them and I think she got them in the little hardware shop in town.

Penelope_Penguin

picklednut wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. For cleaning purposes if a "recipe" says to mix vinegar and bicarbonate of soda can you replace the bicarbonate with soda crystals? I seem to be able to find cheap big bags of soda crystals but bicarbonate of soda only seems to come in the small tubs near the baking section.

If a recipe advises you to mix bicarb and vinegar, then I'd suggest you move to the next recipe

I was a chemist in a previous life, and I can assure you that mixing these 2 chemicals, they'll react and foam, but then one of them will be used up.

You're much better off using one or the other - vinegar to remove limescale deposits, for instance, or descaling kettles and shower heads.

Bicarb can be mixed to a stiff paste with a little water and its mild abrasive action can be used to remove dirt from surfaces, hobs and stainless steel.

And no, please don;t mix vinegar and soda crystals :eek: In fact PLEASE DON'T MIX ANY CHEMICALS TOGETHER UNLESS YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY SURE WHAT YOU'RE DOING

Tinkdh

Just want to check but I have an American recipe for some chocolate chip cookies that contain baking soda. I've not seen it in the shops so am I ok to use bicarbonate of soda instead then?

Penelope_Penguin

Tinkdh wrote: »

Just want to check but I have an American recipe for some chocolate chip cookies that contain baking soda. I've not seen it in the shops so am I ok to use bicarbonate of soda instead then?

You are