Can Epsom salt be used as a substitute for rock salt?!
Can Epsom salt be used as a substitute for rock salt?
I bought an ice cream maker recently and in the directions it says that I must use rock salt. Not to be put into the ice cream mixture, but rather around the ice cream can, in between layers of ice. I would like to test out the device now, but I wont be able to buy rock salt for a while- hence I was wondering if I could use Epsom salt as an alternative for rock salt in this instance. Thanks.
Answers:
Ok, so no one else understands that you DON'T put the salt in the ice cream, but mix it with the ice to facilitate melting.
As for the substitution, I don't actually know. You may want to do a test of how it works, or just use table or kosher salt if you have that.
Source(s):
Been making homemade ice cream for years.
Ack, no, please don't even try! Epsom Salt = Magnesium Sulfate, not Sodium Chloride.
Uh, I wouldn't. But that's just me... Follow this link if you want to learn more.
http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/about_ep...
Wut Trinian sayed
um...NO its like a bath salt. why would u want to eat that? but it is used in diet coke plus. call the company that made the ice cream maker and ask them to be for sure. i would just buy the rock salt
No.
No!! Rock salt is cheap and available year round in the U.S. It is not even close to Epsom salt.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure Epsom salt is something completely different than regular salt. Rock salt is table salt.
"In chemical usage, salt may refer to any compound of a metal and non-metal; thus terms such as "copper salts" or "magnesium salts" refer to the chlorides, carbonates, sulfates, etc., of copper or magnesium. "Epsom salts" refers to a specific hydrous magnesium sulfate mineral, made famous by its occurrence at a spring in southern England. Sodium chloride is sometimes referred to as "common salt" or "table salt", to distinguish it from other salts."
http://www.mii.org/minerals/photosalt.ht...
NO, don't use that. I am not sure it would keep the ice from melting. That is what the rock salt is for while making your ice cream. You mix it with the ice. Epsom salt isn't just sodium...its has other stuff in it too.
Please no!
Chemically they are not in the same category. You will not feel very well if you make the substitute.