The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Sylvia on March 14, 2011, 01:53:18 pm

Title: Waterglass
Post by: Sylvia on March 14, 2011, 01:53:18 pm

Does anyone know where I can buy waterglass powder for preserving eggs?

Title: Re: Waterglass
Post by: JulieS on March 14, 2011, 02:29:09 pm

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5-L-Sodium-Silicate-Water-Glass-Liquid-Glass-70-/330304018569?pt=UK_BOI_Medical_Lab_Equipment_Lab_Supplies_ET&hash=item4ce7a75889#ht_1804wt_905 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5-L-Sodium-Silicate-Water-Glass-Liquid-Glass-70-/330304018569?pt=UK_BOI_Medical_Lab_Equipment_Lab_Supplies_ET&hash=item4ce7a75889#ht_1804wt_905)



I'd not heard of waterglass for preserving eggs.  I love learning new things!

Will you let us know how you get on please Sylvia?   :)

Title: Re: Waterglass
Post by: JulieS on March 14, 2011, 02:53:14 pm

Well I've obviously got too much time on my hands today!!  Well, maybe it's because I've badly burnt one of my hands and I'm only fit for typing one handed.

Just followed a link on that ebay listing to a study, done in 1977 in the States, which tried several methods of preserving eggs and the results are really interesting.  Worth a look.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/1977-11-01/Fresh-Eggs.aspx (http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/1977-11-01/Fresh-Eggs.aspx)

Title: Re: Waterglass
Post by: Olly398 on March 15, 2011, 09:18:18 am

Really interesting article, thanks!!!  8)

Title: Re: Waterglass
Post by: Sylvia on March 16, 2011, 03:14:47 pm

That is a really interesting site JulieS. I lived for many years in a very remote place with no electricity for refrigeration or freezing and always put a few dozen eggs away in waterglass to tide us over the period the hens weren't laying. They were useful for baking, pancakes, omlettes etc.
Before putting down I would check for hairline cracks using a carboard tube and a torch and never had a failure. I got the waterglass powder from a smallholding catalogue but which one and whether they are still going I don't know. (It was over thirty years ago!!)
So, if anyone old-ish can remember catalogues of that time I can try them. :)