Saltpeter (potassium nitrate) has been used in fertilizer and fireworks . It was also once used to cure meats. Although it has a reputation for lowering libido, this is a myth.
Do they still sell saltpeter?
You used to be able to buy potassium nitrate as saltpeter in many garden supply stores. While it is difficult to find saltpeter, you can still purchase potassium nitrate , which is used to make smoke bombs and certain other fireworks.
What can I replace saltpeter with?
Best saltpeter substitutes
The whole point of saltpeter is to cure the meat, along with the regular salt. So substitutes that actually work are Prague powder or salt, Instacure , and maybe Tender Quick.
What does saltpeter do to a man?
“Saltpetre,” (the term refers either to potassium or sodium nitrate) has no effect on carnal urges. The story that this chemical was put into soldiers ‘ food to decrease their sex drive is a total myth.
What is the modern name for saltpeter?
| Names | IUPAC name Potassium nitrate | Other names Saltpeter Saltpetre Nitrate of potash | Identifiers | CAS Number 7757-79-1 |
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What happens if you eat saltpeter?
Potassium nitrate can be dangerous if consumed. It can cause kidney damage or anemia , as well as headaches and digestive distress.
Where is saltpeter found?
Saltpeter occurs as crystalline veins in soil in the Ganges Valley of India and as fluorescence on the soil in parts of Indonesia . It is gathered by dissolving the salt in water and evaporating the solution to obtain a salt.
What is saltpeter used for in jail?
saltpeter been given in the prisons. It's merely a preservative -anon2556 . They would hold them for years in this way without giving them a trial. Saltpeter is definitely used in the military, in prisons, and in mental institutions and anywhere else people are being detained.
Do they put saltpeter in jail food?
Is it true prisons put something in the food to lower inmates' libidos? No , but it's a good story and one that has been around in one form or another for ages. ... The fact of the matter is that saltpeter — potassium nitrate — is a naturally occurring chemical compound that has nothing to do with your sex drive.
Can you eat potassium nitrate?
* Do not eat, smoke , or drink where Potassium Nitrate is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed.
Can Himalayan pink salt be used for curing?
Himalayan pink salt can be used for meat curing , however, it does contain more trace minerals compared to sea salt. This may influence meat curing results. There is a large difference between Himalayan Pink Salt and Pink Curing Salt.
Can I use curing salt instead of saltpeter?
Sea salt or non-iodized salt and table salt or normal salt are very different from each other. Both are cured and textured differently. If you are looking for a substitute of saltpeter, you can use sea salt, a non-iodized salt which will brine or cure the meat you have been longing to cook.
Is salt Peter the same as curing salt?
Sodium nitrate (saltpeter) is used as a preservative, and in fact some curing salts use a combination of nitrate and nitrite .
How long does it take to make saltpeter?
In the south it might take 7 months. Up north it can take a year . It is extremely variable as materials used in the bed also affect the speed of nitrification. During the last few months of the process do not add any more urine or anything else.
Why did they put bromide in tea?
In the First World War, frontline troops who were away from their loved ones for long periods famously had bromide put into their tea to reduce the distraction of their sexual drive .
Is saltpeter a cigarette?
The addition of potassium nitrate (salt petre) is to ensure an ‘even burn' of the tobacco. This also ensures the cigarette stays lit when discarded or forgotten. ... I believe this not only reduce the number accidental fires, but will also help people to reduce the amount they smoke if their cigarette keeps going out.
