Submitted by Chad on 1/29/1999. ( )
I'm attempting to tan hides for the first time and I'm
using Saftee Acid in the pickling solution. Do I need to
maintain a pH of 1.0 for the duration of the pickling. I
checked the pH after one day and noticed it was 2.0. Should
I add more solution?
This response submitted by Bruce Rittel on 1/29/1999. ( rittel@ici.net )
A ph jump like that is extremely unusual! As a general rule Saftee Acid holds very steady between 1.1-1.4. Are you using 0.5 ozs. per Gallon of pickle? Or are you pickling an unusally thick skin that may tend to absorb some of the acid? Actually the pickle is still good at a 2.0-2.5, but normally it will not jump like you described. As long as it remains below a 2.5 you don't have to worry - but higher, I'd begin to worry a lot! Did you rub Borax in the flesh as you skinned it. I've heard of people doing that, and later their pickle goes crazy. If all of the above doesn't help, please e-mail me and we can talk it out. But off-hand I'd guess something is influencing the large ph jump.
This response submitted by John M. on 1/29/1999. ( maddenj@lafarge.k12.wi.us )
Hey Bruce, I have the same problem with the pickel jumping up to 2.
I've been using saftee-acid and oxcolic(?) both to see which one
I like better. I've been using salt treated with yellow persuit of
soda, maybe this is the problem. It has a soda in it, doesn't soda
raise the ph? I just expect it so I check the ph about every hour,for
about 4 hours. My capes are salted with it also ,after everything
is turned inside out. Then left to dry out. Then rehydrate,and
start the tanning proocess.
John M.
This response submitted by Bruce Rittel on 1/30/1999. ( rittel@ici.net )
There's a good possibility the Yellow Prusiate of Soda in the Salt could be influencing the Ph. Since the concentration (0.5 fl. oz. per Gallon) of Saftee acid is so low, it may be sensitive to it. I'll have to check this out myself. Unfortunately, I only have Non- Soda Salt in stock right now - but I'll try it soon. And yes, the Soda is an alkaline, so it can be expected to raise the ph slightly. But again, as long as the ph remains below a 2.5, even using the Yellow Prusiate Soda Salt, your pickle should be OK, and you shouldn't expect any problems. Just be aware that your ph levels will be slightly higher using that type of Salt.
This response submitted by frank on 2/2/1999. ( basswtrout@aol.com )
Also when skins are added to a pickle it will raise it up some automaticlly, plus if the skins are dirty, bloody or not fleshed properly also will raise the PH value. I use saftee acid as well, and have no problems with it when the skins are clean and fleshed. Each skin I add does raise my PH a little so just add a bit more to drop it. Good luck
This response submitted by Larry M. on 2/6/1999. ( messer@ux8.cso.uiuc.edu )
I had the same problem with my first couple of batches. My
problem was that I didn't follow the directions (guess they are
there for a reason). I was adding the acid until I got to a pH
of 1. The last couple of batches held the pH by adding the 0.5
oz/gal water (just like the directions say). Thought I'd throw
that out... hope it helps!