How to prepare citric acid solution

Video: How to make 50% citric acid solution

Content

Part 2 of 2: Storing the Solution
Warnings
What do you need

1 Buy citric acid as a crystalline powder. It can be found in many grocery stores, oriental and kosher markets, food stores, health food stores, or wholesale food stores. It is sometimes found in the canned food / procurement section labeled "sour salt". Buy at least 0.5kg to make enough citric acid solution.

2 Buy (or prepare) distilled water. Distilled water loses many minerals and impurities during boiling and condensation.

3 Select non-metallic objects made of non-radioactive metals for the process (see. list below). Citric acid reacts with several metals, which is why it is used for descaling. (This also explains why orange juice in a metal mug quickly picks up an unpleasant metallic taste.)

Make sure they are thoroughly cleaned before use to avoid possible contamination of the solution and growth of fungi.

4 Determine the amount of citric acid powder and water needed to create the solution. High and low citric acid solutions differ in terms of potency, shelf life and cost.

A high citric acid solution will store better than a low citric acid solution. The best proportion for a solution is 454 g in 470 ml of water.
However, a low concentration solution, 454 g citric acid in 940 ml of water, will also work, it is more economical and results in a convenient ratio where 30 ml of liquid solution is equivalent to 14 g of dry powder.

5 Measure out the powder. Place 454 g of citric acid powder in a non-metallic saucepan. Set the pot aside.

6 Boil water. Stop your choice with one of the volumes (470 g / 940 ml) of water and boil it in a non-metallic saucepan.

Alternatively, you can use a microwave safe container, but always use caution when boiling water in the microwave. It can overheat, and then quickly overflow when it boils.Check the water frequently, and when removing, use an oven mitt and gently nudge the container to make sure the water is not going to overflow. Also, before heating the water, place a toothpick or something similar in it (it will attract bubbles so that they don't all form at once).

7 Pour boiling water over the powder, stirring constantly with a non-metallic spoon, until the powder is completely dissolved. Please be careful with boiling water! Using a non-reactive (glass or stainless steel) kettle might be the solution.

Part 2 of 2: Storing the Solution

1 Strain the solution. Using filter paper or cheesecloth, strain the solution into another non-metallic saucepan or bowl to remove any sediment that has not dissolved.
2 Let the solution cool to room temperature. So you can safely pour it into the container without damaging the latter, because the container can not only crack from the hot liquid, but also explode (it also happens).
3 Transfer the solution. Pour the solution into an airtight, non-metallic container. Make sure it is perfectly clean (sterilizing a glass jar or high-strength plastic container for 5-10 minutes is fine). Choose a container with a tight-fitting lid. Use a funnel to pour the solution into a container.
4 Store the solution in a cool, dark place, such as a closet or cellar. If stored well, the solution will last up to two years.

Warnings

Although citric acid is a pharmaceutical product, this citric acid solution recipe is only recommended for cleaning. Dilute with water (if necessary) to make the cleaning solution you need according to available recipes. Do not swallow citric acid powder or solution without a doctor's recommendation. Store out of reach of children and animals.
Citric acid solution can develop fungus if not properly manufactured and stored. Make sure to use non-metallic, clean machining accessories. Cap the solution tightly when storing to avoid the spread of fungus.
The solution should not be in the sun, and it should not be exposed to high temperatures in one way or another, otherwise this may negatively affect the degree of acidity of the solution.