pyromaniacs out there, help me out?

[Loonix 0]

I'm going to make black powder, and had it all figured out, but now it seems I wont be able to get a hold of potassium nitrate after all (which I thought was quite easy - wrong). I do have sodium nitrate... Is there anything besides sodium nitrate being hygroscopic i have to pay attention to, or can I just replace the two and follow standard procedure, except keeping it particularly dry?

[akarunway 1]

http://www.amazon.com/Humco-SaltPeter-Powder-Potassium-Nitrate/dp/B000NONNHKSheesh Edit to add: Watch out for the Black helos after posts like this.

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

[jm951 0]

Look for a no sodium salt. IIRC, they have a fairly high amount in there. It can also be distilled from urine.

Back in the day, we used to be able to buy reagent grade stuff with no questions asked. My how times have been a'changin.

[waltappel 1]

Quote

I'm going to make black powder, and had it all figured out, but now it seems I wont be able to get a hold of potassium nitrate after all (which I thought was quite easy - wrong). I do have sodium nitrate... Is there anything besides sodium nitrate being hygroscopic i have to pay attention to, or can I just replace the two and follow standard procedure, except keeping it particularly dry?

Uh, is it just me or does posting a question like this in a public forum seem like a bad idea?

Walt

[Loonix 0]

Quote

Quote

I'm going to make black powder, and had it all figured out, but now it seems I wont be able to get a hold of potassium nitrate after all (which I thought was quite easy - wrong). I do have sodium nitrate... Is there anything besides sodium nitrate being hygroscopic i have to pay attention to, or can I just replace the two and follow standard procedure, except keeping it particularly dry?

Uh, is it just me or does posting a question like this in a public forum seem like a bad idea?

Walt

It's just you.

And jm951: I'd prefer not to make it from urine

[waltappel 1]

Good--at least we know where the problem is!

Walt