Crystallization of homemade sodium acetate

Step 14 Cooling solution

Gently pour the still-hot solution into the container you've chosen to hold the solution for cooling and crystallization. You can use a glass jar, or a flask if you have one handy. Make sure the container is absolutely clean before pouring in the solution, and loosely cover the container (with a lid, plastic wrap, or plastic baggie).

Allow the solution to cool to room temperature. You can refrigerate it or put it in an ice water bath if you wish.

There's a small chance that some of the crystals on the side of the boiling pot could have gotten washed into your container when you transferred the solution, in which case your solution may spontaneously crystallize while it's being cooled.

If this happens, recharge the solution while still in the same container (see the next step for instructions).

If you find that the solution still appears to contain crystals after double boiling for 20 minutes or so, it's possible that you've boiled off too much water. In this case, try adding two teaspoons of distilled water to your solution, stirring gently with a clean spoon after adding it, and then continue double boiling for an additional 10-15 minutes. If crystals are still visible, repeat the process - they should dissolve eventually.

Comments

[SenileFelineS]

I thought that once all impurities and contaminates are removed it would turn into a slightly tinted clear solution, not stay amber colored.

[SenileFelineS]

At least, that's what pure, lab grade sodium acetate should look like....Is there a way to achieve that?

[Wesley666]

If you look at store bought manufactured hot packs that use Sodium Acetate, they are almost always amber too. Don't know why but they are, so I think its safe to say that it doesn't matter if you can get it clear or if it stays amber colored.