battlemaiden Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 And don't say in the spice section, please. I have been to three grocery stores today and called the Walmart pharmacy. Could it possibly be called something else? Why can't I find this stuff? Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 And don't say in the spice section, please. I have been to three grocery stores today and called the Walmart pharmacy. Could it possibly be called something else? Why can't I find this stuff? Jo What are you going to do with alum? Styptic pencils are often made of alum (in the form of aluminum sulfate). Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I'm guessing you want it for pickles of some sort? Try calling your cooperative extension or agricultural extension office (look in the government pages of the phone book if it's like it is here). There will likely be someone there who can help you. This site (National Center for Home Food Preservation) has pickle recipes which don't contain alum and doesn't recommend using alum at all in pickles anyway (may be easier to switch recipes than put this much energy into finding the alum) http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/can_06/prep_foods.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battlemaiden Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 What are you going to do with alum? Styptic pencils are often made of alum (in the form of aluminum sulfate). Bill Some sort of science experiment crap! ;) Darn homeschooling! I think it is a crystal growing thing. My son gives me a list and I oblige. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battlemaiden Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 I'm guessing you want it for pickles of some sort? Try calling your cooperative extension or agricultural extension office (look in the government pages of the phone book if it's like it is here). There will likely be someone there who can help you. This site (National Center for Home Food Preservation) has pickle recipes which don't contain alum and doesn't recommend using alum at all in pickles anyway (may be easier to switch recipes than put this much energy into finding the alum) http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/can_06/prep_foods.html I keep telling the people in the stores, "it is for pickling" and they give me blank stares. No one seems to know what this stuff is. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I'm guessing you want it for pickles of some sort? Try calling your cooperative extension or agricultural extension office (look in the government pages of the phone book if it's like it is here). There will likely be someone there who can help you. This site (National Center for Home Food Preservation) has pickle recipes which don't contain alum and doesn't recommend using alum at all in pickles anyway (may be easier to switch recipes than put this much energy into finding the alum) http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/can_06/prep_foods.html Here I thought she was going to try to make gold :lol: Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Some sort of science experiment crap! ;) Darn homeschooling! I think it is a crystal growing thing. My son gives me a list and I oblige. Jo I don't want to make it more complicated by I think there are different types of "alum". Do you have what's called a "compounding pharmacy" in your area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Some sort of science experiment crap! ;) Darn homeschooling! I think it is a crystal growing thing. My son gives me a list and I oblige. Jo Would he be willing to switch to growing borax, salt, epsom salt or sugar crystals instead? The materials are easier to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 And don't say in the spice section, please. I have been to three grocery stores today and called the Walmart pharmacy. Could it possibly be called something else? Why can't I find this stuff? Jo You can have the McCormick alum I have in my spice cabinet. I haven't the foggiest idea why I own the stuff! Good luck finding some or a substitute! Chelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMindy Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 You can have the McCormick alum I have in my spice cabinet. I haven't the foggiest idea why I own the stuff! Good luck finding some or a substitute! Chelle I actually did find it at the grocery store. I wonder if it would be with the canning supplies rather than the actual spices. I got it a long time ago so I don't remember what section it was in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I just looked at mine and it expired in '07, so I probably shouldn't be offering it to anyone, huh?! Although I don't always believe the expiration dates on things... It's really bugging me that I can't remember why I own it! I don't can anything. :confused: Chelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 A drugstore should have it. I'd try an old fashioned mom and pop type of drugstore first, if not, then a Walgreen's maybe. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staci in MO Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 It's really bugging me that I can't remember why I own it! I don't can anything. I had a play dough recipe that called for alum (which I bought in the spice section of the grocery store). Maybe that's what you have it for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Wisc Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I always find it with the spices in a grocery store. Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlifemom Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 In my cabinets. :D Seriously, I needed it for some experiment and dh bought 4 count 'em 4 containers. I really don't know what else it is used for. I does look like a normal grocercy store spice bottle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I used it to grow crystals in 9th grade. We bought it at a Rite-aid, but this was 25 years ago. Other than crystal growing, I have no idea what you use it for. If you can't find it and it's just for crystal growing, you can substitute salt but it takes longer for the crystals to grow. (See I did learn something in 9th grade Earth Science!) Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baseballmom Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I went to 4 different stores and no one had a clue what I was talking about. I think Spy Car is right, you need to go to a compounding pharmacy, that's where we finally found some. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeanestMomInMidwest Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I got Alum for growing crystals in the spice row at our SuperWalMart. I had no idea it could be used for anything else. If you do find it, don't do what I did and buy 3 jars. One really is enough. And it was pretty expensive, if I remember correctly, more than most spices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I had a play dough recipe that called for alum (which I bought in the spice section of the grocery store). Maybe that's what you have it for. Hmmm...that's a good possibility. Either that or my oldest's science last year... Chelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekanamom Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Last place I found it was... in the spice section! (Sorry). I use it to mordant wool before dyeing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 And don't say in the spice section, please. I have been to three grocery stores today and called the Walmart pharmacy. Could it possibly be called something else? Why can't I find this stuff? Jo Try Longs or Don Quioxte. You might also try a natural foods store. I know there is a smallish one in the shopping center behind Cutter Ford on Kam Hwy. Or an odd idea, would a crack seed store have it to make things like dried, pickled plums? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 I got it from a drugstore. The pharmacist will either have it or will be able to get it in for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kloumc Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Alum can be ordered from my favorite homeschool science supply site: www.homesciencetools.com They have a far better price than if you get some from the local pharmacy. They are also quick about delivery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teamturner Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 My ds and father did this project last weekend and the crystals grew quickly and abundantly. They are still sitting above my sink. http://www.yesmag.ca/projects/crystal_gardens.html I've bought Alum from the spice section. Sorry you're having such a hard time finding it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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