I am using Van Dykes Pickling Crystals and I can not keep my Ph down. I check it every evening and it is at about 4, I add more crystals and bring it back down. It doesn't seem like I should have to add acid on a daily basis. I had some slippage on a cape last week and assume this was the reason. What are some of the factors that could make the Ph vary like this?
Van Dykes has a staff that would be happy to discuss the problems you are having! Give them a call. Their number is (800) 787-3355.
Tanner, I had the same problem for 2 years, before I ever figured out what I was doing wrong. I was using saftey acid, which I like alot, but was tanning a deer cape in only 3 gal. of water, in a 5 gal. bucket. Only when I started using 4 gal. of water to each cape, and useing a big plastic tub, "get them at walmart" did it work right. You see the cape absorbs the acid, and it didn't have enough acid in 3 gal., but worked great in 4. Also it called for 1/2 oz. of acid to ea. gal water, and I put 1 oz. to ea. gal. water and it worked great! Hope that helps. Jay
I was lucky enough to find a 35 gal plastic barrel ,I cut the top out and use this set up exclusively for my pickle . I use Saftee acid also with excellent results.Be sure to check both salinity and pH both before you put capes in and 12 hrs later then only pH 2 X a day and stir.