Posted by Gerard on October 27, 1998 at 09:00:03:
In Reply to: Re: sodium bicarbonate posted by Linda on October 27, 1998 at 02:03:36:
: Hi: I am a high school student doing a mini-lab on baking soda. I know this is kind of late, but I still need
: some questions answered about baking soda. How does baking soda accomplish the task of extinguishing grease fires?
: And why is baking soda preferable to water when achieving this task? Also, it is known that baking soda is a
: leavening ingredient, but how does it accomplish this task? If anyone knows the answers to these questions, could
: you please take a few minutes to e-mail them to me? This would be great help to my lab report. Thank you!
I'm not sure I'd take the time to search for the baking soda if theres a grease fire in the kitchen, salt will do the same task and is usually a lot more handy to grab hold of.
Soda, or sodium bicarbonate when mixed with an acid gives off CO2 gas, mix it with vinegar in a glass and see alka seltzer fizz'.
Theres usually enough acidity present in a cookie recipe that special acids don't have to be added.
The CO2 gas lifts or aerates a batter. Soda will start to act as soon as its introduced to the batter (moisture) and the batter must be baked immediately.
Double acting baking powder also starts to react like soda(because it has soda in it) but also reacts a second time when placed in the oven and heated.
Makes sense no?
The second 'active' ingredient in B powder is usually cream of tartar .
As for throwing water on a grease fire, oil burns extremely hot, adding water causes the water to instantly turn to steam, it actually explodes and will throw the burning oil out of the pan , like a flame thrower.