1. Can I use RO, distilled water instead of tap water to make Silicade ?
Yes you can. However, these waters do not have minerals so you should add calcium and magnesium. Directions for this at the end of the recipe.
2. Can I heat the sodium silicate solution to boiling stovetop instead of using a microwave ?
Yes. You can use a small stainless steel/glass pan and boil the solution stovetop.
3. Do I have to use a Brita filter in the recipe or can use the filter I already own ?
You must use the Brita filter. The Brita filter removes more than 90% of aluminum, lead and mercury but does not remove the OSA (which is the form of silica in Silicade). Some water filters made by other manufacturers add aluminum to the water. Some filters remove OSA.
4. I am using RO water/Spring water not tap water do I still need to use a Brita filter?
Yes. There are impurities in the ingredients and the Brita will remove these impurities.
5. My water tastes funny?
Check the pH of the Silicade you made. Everyone’s taste buds are different. You want the water to be between 6.5 to 8.5. At the lower end water is acidic and at the upper end the water is basic. Adjust the pH with the baking soda for your taste.
6. I see crystals after I boil the sodium silicate solution should I boil longer?
No. What you are seeing is 0.5% water insoluble impurities in the sodium silicate.
7. Can I use another vendor/manufacture for purchasing the sodium silicate ?
No. Many other forms of sodium silicate from other vendors have been tested and do not have the required amount of OSA to make the recipe.
8. I cannot get the ingredients in my country ?
Here is a company which gives you an address in the US. There are other companies that provide this service. https://www.myus.com/
9. Can I use water glass to make Silicade ?
No. Water glass is too difficult to measure.
10. Can I make a larger batch ?
YES – HOWEVER YOU CAN NOT MAKE A CONCENTRATE !
For making 2 gallons of Silicade
1. Add 3 level dashes of sodium silicate to a one-cup Pyrex container
2. Add 1/4 cup of tap water to the one-cup Pyrex measuring container
3. Heat the contents of the Pyrex measuring cup to boiling and boil for at least 30 seconds
4. Dilute immediately with a small amount of unheated tap water
5. Pour all the contents of the Pyrex measuring cup into a 2 gallon container
6. Fill the 2 gallon container with unheated tap water to the 2 gallon mark on the container
7. Add 2 level dashes of sodium bisulfate to the 2 gallon container
8. Stir the mixture thoroughly and then filter the mixture through a Brita filter pitcher -you can buy a large Brita filter – make sure to use a standard filter
9. After filtering, add 1 level dash of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to the mixture (adjust the pH according to the recipe)
10. Stir Silicade to dissolve the baking soda
For making 4 gallons of Silicade
1. Add 6 level dashes of sodium silicate to a one-cup Pyrex container
2. Add 1/2 cup of tap water to the one-cup Pyrex measuring container
3. Heat the contents of the Pyrex measuring cup to boiling and boil for at least 30 seconds
4. Dilute immediately with a small amount of unheated tap water
5. Pour all the contents of the Pyrex measuring cup into a 4 gallon container
6. Fill the 4 gallon container with unheated tap water to the 4 gallon mark on the container
7. Add 4 level dashes of sodium bisulfate to the 4 gallon container
8. Stir the mixture thoroughly and then filter the mixture through a Brita filter pitcher -you can use a large Brita filter – make sure to use the standard filter
9. After filtering, add 2 level dashes of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to the mixture (adjust the pH according to the recipe).
10. Stir Silicade to dissolve the baking soda