Old 07-09-2020, 05:18 PM
  #16  
SuzzyQ
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Tavistock, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,056
Default Alum?

Originally Posted by sewingpup View Post
I looked up my mom's old recipe for dill pickles..and I see she used Alum, 1 tsp in each quart...now I see that there is a warning out for Alum and it is suggested that if you use it...should not be more than 1/4 tsp as it is toxic. I will have to research that further as it seems the toxic properties is thought to add to your chances of Alzheimer's or Dementia. Because of the aluminum in it but I thought I read somewhere that the theory about aluminum being a cause had been shown to not be true and I am also confused about cream of tartar as that seems to maybe have the same components as Alum? Anyway..more research is to be done with all of that, I remember my mom's dill pickles being nice and crispy..
My sweet pickle recipe used an alum soak... 1 tablespoon to a 4 gallon (Canadian) crock and let sit about12 - 24 hours.
I have another from a neighbor which uses 1 teaspoon alum plus vinegar in the soak for a large Dutch oven.

Both are poured off and rinsed. Then onto the next step.

For dill pickles I just soak overnight in ice water before proceeding.
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