Testing Freshness of Baking Soda?

Keeper
Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 690 Feedbacks

January 3, 20110 found this helpful

Add a bit of white vinegar to a bit of baking soda.If it fizzes it's still good. Log onto:stilltasty.com Great site for foods shelf life.

bryguy
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 167 Feedbacks

January 7, 20110 found this helpful

Baking soda holds carbon dioxide if it's still active. You can release the carbon dioxide by heating or mixing it with an acid like vinegar or lemon juice. If the baking soda fizzles upon contact with an acid, then it's still fresh.

BTW, the fact that baking soda releases carbon dioxide when heated is why it is effective for extinguishing small electrical and grease files (but NOT when there is a lot of oil, i.e. a deep fryer). The carbon dioxide released displaces the oxygen necessary for burning, thereby extinguishing the fire.