Acetic acid is a versatile chemical that is used in various areas. In this blog post, we will focus on the differences between food grade and technical grade acetic acid. We will shed light on its use in descaling, as a biogenic herbicide and as a preservative.
Technical grade acetic acid
Technical acetic acid is produced for industrial and technical purposes. It is also ideal as a household remedy for private use. It often has a higher concentration and is not suitable for direct contact with food.
Descaling and biogenic herbicide
Technical-grade acetic acid is very popular for descaling household appliances such as kettles and coffee machines, as well as tiles and toilets. The acid effectively dissolves limescale deposits without leaving any harmful residues.
Below we have prepared step-by-step instructions for each of the products mentioned, which you can use as a guide for using acetic acid:
Bathroom
- Mix equal parts acetic acid and water in a spray bottle.
- Apply the mixture generously to calcareous surfaces such as tiles, fittings and shower walls.
- Leave the acetic acid mixture on for a few minutes to dissolve the limescale.
- Use a brush or sponge to wipe away the dissolved limescale.
- Rinse the treated surfaces thoroughly with water.
Toilet:
- Pour a cup of acetic acid into the toilet.
- Leave the acetic acid to work for at least 30 minutes to dissolve stubborn limescale.
- Use a toilet brush to scrub away the dissolved limescale.
- Flush the toilet thoroughly to remove any residue.
Coffee machine: ( please insert apicture of a coffee machine next to it)
- Mix one cup of acetic acid with one cup of water.
- Pour the acetic acid/water mixture into the water tank of your coffee machine.
- Carry out a descaling cycle by switching on the coffee machine and running it through.
- Rinse the coffee machine several times with clear water to remove acetic acid residues.
Restrictions on commercial use(please insertimage of weed )
In addition, food-grade acetic acid is often used as a biogenic herbicide. Biogenic herbicides are environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical herbicides and can be used in horticulture, for example.
It is important to note that the use of technical grade acetic acid is not permitted commercially on enclosed areas. This is due to the strict rules and regulations that apply to commercial use.
Food grade acetic acid
Unlike technical grade acetic acid, food grade acetic acid is suitable for use with foodstuffs. In addition to its use as an acidifier or for the production of coke oven products, food grade acetic acid can also be extremely useful for private use, for example as a preservative for vegetables.
Preservatives:( please insertpicture of preserved vegetables for a complete overview )
If you decide to preserve your vegetables yourself using acetic acid, we will be happy to provide you with a brief guide below:
Pickled cucumbers:(please insertpicture of preserved pickled cucumbers )
- Prepare fresh cucumbers by washing and slicing them.
- In a saucepan, mix water, vinegar, salt, sugar and spices to your taste.
- Heat the mixture until the salt and sugar have completely dissolved.
- Fill the prepared cucumber slices into jars and pour the vinegar solution over them.
- Seal the jars and leave them in a cool place to allow the flavors to develop.
Peppers:(please insertpicture of preserved peppers )
- Wash the peppers, remove the seeds and cut them into strips or cubes.
- Bring vinegar, water, salt and sugar to the boil in a pan.
- Place the prepared peppers in the boiling vinegar solution and allow them to blanch briefly.
- Fill the peppers into sterilized jars and pour the hot vinegar mixture over them.
- Seal the jars tightly and leave to cool.
Hot peppers:(please insertpicture of preserved hot peppers )
- Wash the peppers thoroughly and cut them into rings or pieces.
- Place the peppers in sterilized jars.
- Heat the vinegar, water, salt and spices in a pan and bring the mixture to the boil briefly.
- Pour the hot vinegar solution over the peppers in the jar.
- Seal the jars and allow them to cool before storing them in a dark place.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we have highlighted the versatility of food-grade and technical-grade acetic acid. While the food grade is ideal for household use, the technical grade is widely used in industry but is equally excellent for home use as a descaler. It is crucial to understand the differences in order to choose the right acetic acid for the job.
To obtain acetic acid of excellent quality, both technical and food grade, we recommend that you browse our store, where you can easily order other organic acids and chemical products in addition to our acetic acid.
