It was our wedding anniversary this week so I decided to surprise my wife by arranging to have the day off and take her and our daughter to the seaside for the day.
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| Dip your toe in! |
We had a cracking day at Barry Island (with plenty of Gavin and Stacy quotes and sight seeing) but you always have to take something from the beach home with you. I did, in the form of 7 litres of sea water!
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| Not what everyone brings back from the beach! |
This meant I had to walk all the way to the sea and fill loads of bottles with sea water, I happened to choose low tide when I decided to do this with a big pink bag but don't worry, I'm used to funny looks!
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| Not a dirty protest but sea water strained through muslin |
when we got back I strained it through 4 layers of muslin to remove any sand, before putting five litres in a large pot and boiling it.
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| 5 litres of sea water |
When it got close to boiling dry I turned off the hob and left it to cool. Then today we left it in the sun to evaporate more (free energy) before finishing it off in the oven to drive out the last bit of moisture.
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| Salt! |
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| Quite a bit collected |
I was quite impressed with the amount of salt it produced, but on purely economical terms this little experiment isn't viable, as the electric hob probably used more electric than the salt is worth. But if you had a wood stove heating the house all day then this would be a way to get free salt and another step towards self sufficiency (but only if you live near the sea - which we don't)!
Looking at this post I still not sure why my wife puts up with me!
It's a flipping long way to the seaside from here....I guess I'll have to keep buying it.
ReplyDeleteIt was interseting to see how you did it though!
Jane x
We're two hours away so it's not something I'll be doing very often!
DeleteI'm sure she puts up with you because she never knows what you're going to getup to next, and sometimes it's clever, sometimes it's unusual and sometimes it's a very good idea.
ReplyDeleteI think the above experiment fits all the categories (just about!!). Nice to try these things and a good way to get free salt if you live near the sea.
It's a pity most of us don't, so it's Maldon all the way for me!
Sue xx
I think you're right about never guessing what I'm up to next! And with all the electric I probably used I dont think I can call the salt free, but if I had a large pan and put a shallow layer in the sun then it might be! Thanks for your comment
DeleteThat is amazing! My parents live by the sea down in Kent so next time I'm there I might give it a go!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'd try with the sun more than he stove though as it would be cheaper!
DeleteSince we are seeing loads of remains from the tsunami in Japan float up on our local beaches I have wondered about sea salt. What sort of pollutants would you find in it? If any? Would cesium 134 make it to the West Coast of the USA?
ReplyDeleteDuring WWII the Japanese actually bombed our coast using balloons with bombs attached. They floated all the way from Japan! Actually blew someone up who was having a nice picnic in the woods.
Wow!
In reading my comment I see it is a bit random and off topic. Oh well... Interesting experiment.
Not sure about the pollutants but I read a report on the side of the beach that said the water passes all the tests it has to. Also the water gets boiled killing anything alive in it.
DeleteInteresting (and a little random) fact about WWII seems a little risky if got in the wrong current!
Hello there, very clever this. I used to live in England many moons ago and had family in Worcestershire. Used to take walks on the Malvern Hills many a time and have wonderful memories from those trips. Nice to discover your blog, hopped over from Jane's at The Maple Syrup Mob when I saw you in her side bar.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. I must confess I'm yet to walk the malverns despite never living more than 35 miles away from them my whole life (and now I can see them from the window). I must put it on my to-do list!
DeleteInteresting little experiment. have often thought about doing the very same but as the beach is 350km south and 450km east from here I haven't done anything about it.!!! Think I will continue buying it from the supermarket!!!lol
ReplyDeleteDon't worry I'll still be buying mine as well, but it's always nice to know you can make it if you ever needed to! Sugar is the one that really makes me scratch my head though.
DeleteVery interesting post...never thought about homemade sea salt...afterall, we get very cheap sea salt in Bulgaria!
ReplyDelete