Baking and cooking are a hobby. By the way, hobbies are activities people take pleasure in doing. People derive pleasure in baking or cooking meals for others to eat.
However, baking soda is a staple ingredient in baking. But you should be aware that two types of baking soda exist. One is the fridge baking soda, while the other is the regular baking soda.
So, if you’re new to baking or your recipe requires using baking soda, this post is important to you. Why? Most people confuse the fridge and freezer baking soda with the regular ones.
In this article, we will explain all you need to know about fridge baking soda and regular baking soda. Read on!
Can You Use Fridge And Freezer Baking Soda For Cooking?
No, you can’t. That’s the straightforward answer. People usually confuse baking soda with Fridge-N-Freezer baking soda. Now, here’s the thing. Both baking sodas’ constituents and use aren’t entirely the same. The fridge and freezer baking soda helps absorb the odor in the fridge. Moreover, fridge and freezer baking soda is a deodorizer and is just not meant for cooking.
But both baking sodas contain carbonates? So, why is it inappropriate to use the fridge-N-freezer baking soda for cooking or baking?
The answer to this question is this. The fridge and freezer baking soda may contain sodium bicarbonate, but it still contains chemicals. The chemical constituents are why you should never use it for cooking, baking, or multi-purpose.
Regular baking soda contains 100 percent pure sodium bicarbonate. Thus, it is safe for cooking.
We hope this answer clears any confusion about the fridge and freezer baking soda and the regular baking soda. Let’s go deeper into this topic.
Is Fridge And Freezer Baking Soda Edible?
No, it’s not. Its differing sodium bicarbonate ratio makes it unsafe. The fridge and freezer baking soda granulation is specifically designed to deodorize your fridge. In other words, its task is to make your fridge odor-free. Its work ends there.
So, when you remove the fridge baking soda from your fridge, discard it. Please resist the temptation to use it for cooking, as it could harm your health.
The fridge baking soda is not edible and is therefore not recommended for cooking or baking.
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use Fridge And Freezer Baking Soda For Baking
Below are reasons you should never use the fridge-N-freezer baking soda for cooking.
1. Differing sodium bicarbonate composition
Firstly, the regular and fridge baking soda both have the term “baking soda” in their pronunciations. They also contain sodium bicarbonate.
So, why is baking soda safe for baking while fridge baking soda isn’t? Well, the answer is simple. Baking soda contains 100% pure sodium bicarbonate, making it safe for baking and cooking.
On the contrary, the fridge and freezer baking soda doesn’t. Just check the composition of the fridge baking soda. You’ll discover that it has a different amount of sodium bicarbonate and other ingredients.
The fridge baking soda doesn’t contain 100% pure sodium bicarbonate.
2. Offensive odor
The fridge baking soda has an inviting fragrance, but that changes when placed in the fridge or freezer for a while.
As a deodorant, the fridge and freezer baking soda absorbs the odor in the fridge or freezer, and therefore loses its fragrance.
So, expect your fridge and freezer baking soda to give off an offensive odor once removed from the fridge or freezer.
Now, consider this question. Can you put such stinking baking soda in your food? No single person would dare such.
So fridge baking soda isn’t advisable for baking because it absorbs smell in the fridge and freezers. And by so doing, baking soda develops an offensive odor.
3. Additional chemicals
Unlike regular baking soda, fridge and freezer baking soda boast sodium bicarbonate and active carbon.
So, they don’t contain 100% pure ingredients like their counterparts, baking soda.
What does this imply? If you use fridge baking soda for cooking, you may land in trouble health-wise. The chemicals used in making the fridge baking soda are unsafe for human consumption.
Is Fridge And Freezer Baking Soda And Baking Soda The Same?
The answer to this question is not straightforward, but you can understand the difference between baking sodas with this explanation.
The fridge and freezer baking soda is the same as the regular baking soda in some regard. You can use either of them to deodorize your freezer or fridge.
A Handy Tip: When you put a baking soda in the fridge or freezer, endeavor to store them in a closed box. And remember to puncture a couple of holes at the top of the box.
Now, what’s the difference between the fridge-N-freezer baking soda and baking soda?
While the baking soda contains 100 percent pure sodium bicarbonate, the fridge and freezer baking soda don’t.
The fridge and freezer baking soda contains chemicals that could be harmful.
So, they both have sodium bicarbonate, but baking soda is safe for cooking.
Here are other differences between fridge and freezer baking soda and baking soda.
- Packaging:
You can identify the difference between a fridge and freezer baking soda via their packaging. The regular baking soda packages are plain, while the packages for the fridge and freezer are perforated.
- Powdery texture:
Regular baking soda comes in powder form, making it suitable for cooking. The powder form makes mixing the baking soda with the dough easier.
On the other hand, the fridge and freezer baking soda aren’t powdery but granular. Its granular texture makes it more efficient at absorbing odor from the fridge or freezer.
Can You Use Fridge Baking Soda For Cleaning?
Yes, you can. You can use the fridge baking soda and even the regular ones to clean your home appliances, kitchenware, and furniture.
But there’s one thing you shouldn’t do. Don’t use old fridge baking soda that has sat in your fridge or freezer for long. Why? The reason is simple.
The baking soda must have absorbed the smell in the fridge or freezer, making the remnant unusable.
So, get a new fridge baking soda if you plan to clean any stuff in your home with it.
Can You Use Arm And Hammer Baking Soda For Baking?
Yes, you can use the Arm and Hammer baking soda for baking. This baking soda is a staple ingredient used in baking as it causes batter or dough to rise, making them porous and lighter when heated.
Besides baking, you can use your Arm and Hammer baking soda for other purposes. Check them out below.
#1: Clean up launch boxes, garbage disposal, pots, pans, microwave oven, and dishes.
#2: Washing produces: Add a small amount of Arm and Hammer baking soda to a damp sponge or a bowl containing water. Use either to wash soft-skin produce.
#3: Add a dash of Arm and Hammer to your drink or water: You’ll experience instant relief from occasional acid reflux.
#4: Using A&H to wash your flatware: Make a paste with the baking soda. It should be 3 parts A & H and 1 part water. Use a sponge to rub the paste on your flatware, rinse, and dry. You’ll impress your guest with this incredible gesture.
What Can You Use If You Don’t Have Baking Soda?
Imagine running out of baking soda while baking. The last thing on your mind would be a grocery store run. You might not have the time and patience to do such.
Now, what will you do in such a situation? Are there alternatives to baking soda? Yes, there are. Check them out below.
1. Baking powder
Though baking soda is almost three times stronger than baking powder, they’re both leavening agents and do the same thing.
Baking powder can be an ideal substitute when dealing with something dense and sugar-based.
A Handy Tip: If your recipe involves using a tablespoon of baking soda, use three tablespoons of baking powder.
2. Egg white
Have you tried substituting whipped egg white for baking soda before? Try it and be amazed. The egg white will restore your recipe’s leavening ability and structure.
3. Self-rising flour
Are you a baker? If yes, chances are you have some self-rising flour on hand. This baking soda substitute involves a combination of baking powder, all-purpose flour, and salt.
What makes self-rising flour unique? As the name implies, this flour causes baked goods to rise. You don’t require a leavening agent to make it happen.
4. Club soda
It’s possible to use club soda in place of baking soda. Just reduce the liquid in your recipe, and you’ll later replace it with baking soda (the baking soda is liquid).
Caution: Act fast when using club soda to substitute baking soda. Why? Some carbon dioxide will be lost, making it difficult to achieve the leavening outcome you seek.
Conclusion: Can you use the fridge and freezer baking soda for baking?
The answer to this question is no! As you can see from the explanation above, fridge baking soda doesn’t contain 100% sodium bicarbonate as regular baking soda.
Fridge baking soda contains chemicals that make them effective at absorbing odor in the fridge or freezer but unsafe for use in baking.
We also shared information on the regular baking soda alternative whenever you run out of stock.
