After you use water glass eggs?

[Mrs. K]

So this year, I tried water glassing eggs when they were plentiful. I am still getting eggs, but only 2-3 a day, and so I use the water glass eggs for baking. The egg yolks tend to break easily, but they have been fine for scrambled eggs or baking.

But what do you do with the lime and water in the jar? I am hesitant to pour it down the sink, can I toss it in the toilet? How do you clean it up.

Mrs K

 

[WingItRanch]

I had this same question because we're on septic and I didn't want to pour it down the drain. I actually read you can pour it in your compost pile! Apparently the leftover lime is great for the garden.

I just bought jars and will be water glassing for the first time myself.

 

[TooCheep]

@Mrs. K -
I've been doing water glassing for ~6 years. I do discard the lime water down the drain without issue. I make sure to run the water for a while afterwards to insure the lime is fully dissolved (as opposed to partially settling when water glassing) and doesn't clog the U-pipe under the sink.

Disposing in the toilet is basically the same as in the sink. They all end up going out the same pipes. I would flush multiple times to insure there is enough water to keep the lime from settling and caking in the pipes.

@WingItRanch -
I'm connected to a sewer system and not septic. Not sure if the lime would create any issues there.

The lime we use has multiple names: hydrated lime, pickling lime, agricultural lime, etc. So, I'm sure the lime *can* work in compost, but I'm not sure about the volume of lime to the volume of compost/soil you are producing. The theoretical downside is that too much lime would raise the pH too much and cause problems for the various bacteria/insects/worms/etc that are trying to break it down. I'd try dumping it in one section of the compost and see if it breaks down as well as the rest.

If you have an established garden area, you might try thinning the lime water out with some additional water and fully dissolving the lime. Then spraying it over your garden instead of the compost.

I do dispose of my water glassed egg shells in the compost, since I'm not 100% certain I can give it directly to the chickens.

----

Some good questions: If you haven't already seen it, we have a master thread on water glassing that discusses the basics and answers many other questions.

 

[WingItRanch]

@Mrs. K -
I've been doing water glassing for ~6 years. I do discard the lime water down the drain without issue. I make sure to run the water for a while afterwards to insure the lime is fully dissolved (as opposed to partially settling when water glassing) and doesn't clog the U-pipe under the sink.

Disposing in the toilet is basically the same as in the sink. They all end up going out the same pipes. I would flush multiple times to insure there is enough water to keep the lime from settling and caking in the pipes.

@WingItRanch -
I'm connected to a sewer system and not septic. Not sure if the lime would create any issues there.

The lime we use has multiple names: hydrated lime, pickling lime, agricultural lime, etc. So, I'm sure the lime *can* work in compost, but I'm not sure about the volume of lime to the volume of compost/soil you are producing. The theoretical downside is that too much lime would raise the pH too much and cause problems for the various bacteria/insects/worms/etc that are trying to break it down. I'd try dumping it in one section of the compost and see if it breaks down as well as the rest.

I do dispose of my water glassed egg shells in the compost, since I'm not 100% certain I can give it directly to the chickens.

----

Some good questions: If you haven't already seen it, we have a master thread on water glassing that discusses the basics and answers many other questions.

Good advice! I will do a test run on a smaller pile to see how it works. My understanding is it's supposed to speed up composting but I'll do some experimenting rather than ruining the large pile I've been working on for spring gardening.