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Wolf Den FoodsWolf Den FoodsSurvival Book
Index

C · C6H8O7

Citric acid

low hazard

Also: sour salt

FoodPreserveCleaning

The clean acid of the pantry. It sets pectin, acids tomatoes for canning, descale kettles, and wipes mineral crust off Arizona hard-water fixtures.

Shelf life
Indefinite dry
Container
Sealed; it will corrode unprotected metal lids over time
Grade
Food grade

What it does

  • ▸Canning acidifier for tomatoes and some salsas (follow a current USDA / extension recipe)
  • ▸Bottled-water-like flavor and preservation in some drinks
  • ▸Descaler for kettles, shower heads, and coffee pots

Store

  • ▸Dry, plastic-lined lid. Not a reactive metal tin.

Hazards

  • ▸Irritates eyes. Not for mixing with bleach.
  • ▸Will spend baking soda and washing soda if stored mixed.

Never mix

Household bleachCalcium hypochloriteLyeBaking sodaWashing soda

Gear

Gloves for long cleaning jobs

In the field

Kettle scale: 1–2 tbsp in a kettle of water, simmer, sit, rinse. Do that before you ever reach for a chloride bleach on a metal vessel.

Arizona note

Hard-water country. Citric acid earns its keep on every faucet aerator.

Source

Canning aisle or bulk food. Look like white sugar crystals, sour as lemons.