Can someone tell me why you are not suppose to use rock salt to dry deer hides out with? It is used to cure hams and such, I thought it would be perfect for salting deer hides. I haven't salted a hide with it because everyone says don't do it. I am just curious why you can't.
Thanks in advance,
Bazie
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You get better penetration with fine stock mixing salt. Grandad salted a lot of hams and he refused to use rock salt for the same reason. Two smoked meat business I know of only use fine salt also.
When you look at rock salt look at all the trash and dirt in it.
Fine stock mixing salt gets my vote for the $1.00 difference.
Check your local feed stores for it.
Wow, now that was fast! Is it only because the salt is not fine enough? I thought it would make the hair slip or something. I just got two bags from the feed store. It is rock saltBUT it looks just like regular table salt, pretty fine. I know what you are talking about when you are talking the bigger chunker rock salt from the old days. Since this is pretty fine, could I use it? It looks just like table salt.
Thanks John C,
Baz
The coarse salt you have will work. When you mention rock salt, most think of the coarse stuff used on highways and sidewalks to clear ice. The coarser the salt, the more spaces between the grains. Any salt will work, but the really coarse stuff will not cover the skin well. Even iodized table salt will work for dehydration purposes. Long term salting can result in archaebacterial growth which might damage skins. The finer salt granules have a habit of dissolving and making a soup on the surface. Coarser salt is better for that reason, but not necessary.
...... In contact with the skin you are trying to dry. Thus better and faster drying. ANY fine grained salt will work, the usual reason that noniodized is specified is the price, not because the iodine in it makes any difference.
I was told that Iodized salt COULD stain a hide a purple color.
I have never seen this happen, but if there is a chance I sure wouldn't take it.
Thanks everyone for all your advice. I never knew I was so "salt ignorant"! You guys have helped tremendously.
Thanks again,
Baz
The extremely small amount of Iodine added to Salt is negligible! It will not discolor your leather or have any effect on your PH. As John mentioned - for tanning use - the only difference is price - Iodized Salt is more expensive, otherwise it works! Always stick with a fine grained easily dissolvable Salt - thats pure (or at least 98%) and is not discolored! The discoloration may indicate that it has minerals, dirt, or even dormant bacteria in it. Avoid Rock Salt - too highly mineralized for tanning, it is difficult to dissolve and it will cause problems.