Salt never goes bad, right?

DustAndEchoes · Post by **DustAndEchoes** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:00 am

Okay, dumb question.
I was doing an inventory of my crabbing supplies in the shed that I haven't touched in over two years, when I found a half full (my, aren't we optimistic!) "makes 5 gallons" sized bag of Oceanic. The top was folded over twice and there was a clip holding it closed. It was sand-castle moist, but it seemed okay. No unusual smell or anything to suggest it was "off". It should be all right to use? Right?

tnt4eva · Post by **tnt4eva** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:26 am

As far as I know it doesn't go bad. Mine is already moist even though it's reasonably new...I need to buy an airtight container for it. I'm going to pop it in my food dehydrator to dry it out so it's easier to measure out.

samurai_crab · Post by **samurai_crab** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:57 am

Moisture got into my "airtight" container for salt, ugh its a pain in the butt. The entire container is one solid rock of salt now and I have to scrape at it to make a new gallon, can't wait for this batch to be done so I can buy new lol. I would assume its fine if it doesn't smell or look funny.

SojMad · Post by **SojMad** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:32 am

samurai_crab wrote:The entire container is one solid rock of salt now and I have to scrape at it to make a new gallon.

My Oceanic also got solid rock hard one night, so now I have to hit the bag against something hard to make it usable to measure and pour into the water. ^^

Mrs. G · Post by **Mrs. G** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 2:24 pm

It should be just fine..... I don't think salt goes bad.... mine is very moist to, why does that happen I wonder....

Mrs.G

DustAndEchoes · Post by **DustAndEchoes** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:26 pm

samurai_crab wrote:Moisture got into my "airtight" container for salt, ugh its a pain in the butt. The entire container is one solid rock of salt now and I have to scrape at it to make a new gallon.

I've had that happen before too. I wrapped it in a towel and smacked it with a small ball peen hammer. There were still chinks but it was easier to break the smaller chunks down for mixing.

Post by **wodesorel** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:07 am

I break my new bags of salt into thirds and seal it into freezer bags. That way I only have to wait a month for a 'fresh' bag in case I get water into the one I'm currently using. (Which is like, always.

)

Silver Buttons · Post by **Silver Buttons** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:09 am

Mrs. G wrote:It should be just fine..... I don't think salt goes bad.... mine is very moist to, why does that happen I wonder....

Mrs.G

That's because the salt is pulling moisture out of the air and trapping it. Salt is the one thing that never goes bad, which is why it is used as a preservative.