No products found.

Chemiekontor Blog. More than just raw materials

We shed light on current market trends for you, explain complex applications in a clear and practical way and present exciting innovations from our range. We not only talk about our products, but also about sustainable solutions and give you exclusive first-hand insights. Stay well informed with us about everything that is currently moving the industry and us at Chemiekontor.

Enjoy reading and discovering!

A person in a striped shirt fills a jar with cucumbers and tomatoes. There are other open jars and vegetables on the white surface. In the background is a basket with pickled food. Jars decorated with fabric and string.

Food-grade and technical-grade acetic acid in comparison – Everything you need to know

Acetic acid is a versatile chemical that is used in 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 look at their 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 liberally to calcareous surfaces such as tiles, taps and shower walls.
Leave the acetic acid mixture to work 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 down the toilet.
Leave the acetic acid to work for at least 30 minutes to dissolve stubborn limescale.
Use a toilet brush to scrub off the dissolved limescale.
Flush the toilet thoroughly to remove any residue.

Coffee machine:

Mix one cup of acetic acid with one cup of water.
Pour the acetic acid and water mixture into the water tank of your coffee machine.
Perform 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

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 closed surfaces. 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 food. In addition to its use as an acidifier or for the production of dairy products, food-grade acetic acid can also be extremely useful for private use, for example as a preservative for vegetables.

Preservative

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 in a bowl and jar, dill seeds in a wooden bowl, garlic cloves and herbs on a grey background. A preserving device can be seen in the background.

Pickles:

Prepare fresh cucumbers by washing and slicing them.
In a saucepan, mix water, vinegar, salt, sugar and spices to 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 flavours to develop.

A jar of red pepper dip takes centre stage, surrounded by whole red peppers, garlic bulbs and a small bottle of oil. The ingredients are arranged on a grey, marbled surface. The lid of the jar is folded to the side.

Paprika:

Wash the peppers, remove the seeds and cut them into strips or cubes.
Bring vinegar, water, salt and sugar to the boil in a saucepan.
Place the prepared peppers in the boiling vinegar solution and allow them to blanch briefly.
Fill the peppers into sterilised jars and pour the hot vinegar mixture over them.
Seal the jars tightly and allow them to cool.

An open preserving jar with pickled red and green chillies in brine stands on a dark, textured surface. The jar is closed with a wire hanger and wrapped in ribbon. Bay leaves lie around the jar.

Chilli peppers:

Wash the chilli peppers thoroughly and cut them into rings or pieces.
Place the peppers in sterilised jars.
Heat vinegar, water, salt and spices in a saucepan and bring the mixture to the boil briefly.
Pour the hot vinegar solution over the chillies 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 acetic acid in food grade and technical grade. 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 in excellent quality, both technical and food grade, we recommend that you browse our shop, where you can easily order other organic acids as well as other chemical products in addition to our acetic acid.

" Back to the blog