Baked Baking Soda issues

[flamron]

I need to know the best way to keep the baked baking soda effective.

I am currently keeping it in two different containers. A one gallon b-ionic container and a smaller, more manageable container from b-ionic as well.

I think the smaller container isn't air tight. Would that cause the solution to become less effective? I am having a hard time keeping my alkalinity up, and I theorize this may be part of the issue.

Also, how do you guys bake it? I am laying it over one of my wife's cookie sheets. It is probably a 1/4" to 5/16" deep. Is this a viable way to cook off the baking soda? Should I cook less of it and spread it thinner or possibly cook it hotter and longer?

Thanks for the help!

[sjm817]

I dont think air exposure affects it that I have ever heard of. I used to bake it like that on a cookie sheet but that got old. Now I use soda ash from BRS. No baking needed.

[bertoni]

I don't think that air exposure is going to cause much trouble outside of a bit of evaporation.

That depth for baking is fine. :)