Please learn me- alum block

**JECIII** · 11-13-2009, 08:24 AM

Is there a difference between all the block available out there?

Where is the best place to by it? (i look at price per ounce)

Sorry if this is posted anywhere else, I can never find anything with search

LOL

**mmack66** · 11-13-2009, 08:34 AM

If you have an Indian store in your area, that would most likely be the least expensive place to buy it.

**RichGem** · 11-13-2009, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by JECIII

Is there a difference between all the block available out there?

Where is the best place to by it? (i look at price per ounce)

Sorry if this is posted anywhere else, I can never find anything with search

LOL

There is a lot of info around here. Try a google search limited to b&b as it is more useful than a direct b&b search.

From a google box type:

site:badgerandblade.com

followed by a space and your search terms.

**JECIII** · 11-13-2009, 08:35 AM

I wounder if I/we could use this with some preperation?
1lb Alum

**JECIII** · 11-13-2009, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by mmack66

If you have an Indian store in your area, that would most likely be the least expensive place to buy it.

I know we have had this conversation before. where was that? you linked me two places to purchase i think.

**RichGem** · 11-13-2009, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by JECIII

I wounder if I/we could use this with some preperation?
1lb Alum

I would think. prep would be dissolving it in water and letting the mixture evaporate (and recrystalize) into a solid block.

**JECIII** · 11-13-2009, 08:41 AM

check out this price for 8 0z

here

**norton** · 11-13-2009, 09:00 AM

Lead to ADs.

This alum, as well as the 'Barber's Alum' available on Amazon aren't SOLD by Amazon, so no free shipping. You pay > 5.00 for shipping on a 59 cent or 2.00 item.

"I'm not paying 5.00 for shipping on that!"

So you go to a vendor that has free shipping, and wind up spending > 60 dollars for free shipping on an alum block, and get lots of blades/creams/soaps whatever along for the ride as 'filler'.

But the shipping was free.

**JECIII** · 11-13-2009, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by JECIII

I wounder if I/we could use this with some preperation?
1lb Alum

Im gona try to get this into my old deoderant holder. Ill get it to hold shape somehow. should be fun experimenting, i will have a lb of it.

**WhosYerBob** · 11-13-2009, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by JECIII

I wounder if I/we could use this with some preperation?
1lb Alum

In that form it's intended for cooking.

**JECIII** · 11-13-2009, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by WhosYerBob

In that form it's intended for cooking.

still the same stuff, right?

If not, I do alot of picling and this aparently helps with crispyness.

**TinFish** · 11-13-2009, 10:37 AM

Appleton Barber Supply sells an alum block for $4.60. It's dome shaped, so it's easy to glide over your face. I'd recommend getting it with other stuff in a bigger order to thin out the shipping cost.

**auk1124** · 11-13-2009, 04:38 PM

There are recipes all over the web for crystallizing potassium alum powder.

Been thinking about buying the powder and trying it myself but in my neck of the woods anyone happening to glance in my kitchen window and catching me with mysterious powder on the stovetop will be calling the authorities.

**Bertilak** · 11-13-2009, 05:54 PM

I think this is the best in that it is in a very convenient form and is inexpensive: http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Salt-Crys...8163377&sr=1-4

Available in Whole Foods and other similar stores as well as at Amazon. Note that you may not even be able to tell this is an alum block because the deodorant people are afraid to even hint that there may be aluminum in it. It is sold as a deodorant but is simply a good alum block.

It does actually make an excellent deodorant as well!

**soapbox** · 11-13-2009, 06:05 PM

I've been working on the Wiki Alum page too, though it doesn't touch on several points you asked about. Good food for thought. I added a few points just now.

**Bertilak** · 11-13-2009, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by soapbox

I've been working on the Wiki Alum page too, though it doesn't touch on several points you asked about. Good food for thought. I added a few points just now.

One correction to that page. Some "deodorant crystals" are ammonium alum instead of potassium alum. I see both in, for example, Whole Foods. I have no first hand knowledge but have heard that the potassium version is "better". The link I gave above is to a potassium alum product.

**soapbox** · 11-13-2009, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by Robert Paulsen

One correction to that page. Some "deodorant crystals" are ammonium alum instead of potassium alum. I see both in, for example, Whole Foods. I have no first hand knowledge but have heard that the potassium version is "better". The link I gave above is to a potassium alum product.

Thanks for the help. Modified the page (and cited you in the update).

**JECIII** · 11-16-2009, 07:11 AM

I have been doin plent of research on different salt crystals etc.

I plane on using the 1 lb bag to creat large crystals.

Should be fun.

I will do my best to keep you posted.