You used to be able to buy potassium nitrate as saltpeter in many garden supply stores. While it is difficult to find saltpeter, you can still purchase potassium nitrate, which is used to make smoke bombs and certain other fireworks, as 'stump remover'. In the United States, you can find it at Lowes or Home Depot, among other places. Look for the Spectracide brand in those stores near the insecticides. If you can't find potassium nitrate, you may be able to order it online, plus it's a chemical you can make it yourself.
Where to Buy Saltpeter or Potassium Nitrate
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com GuideMarch 5, 2013
Explore Chemistry
Comments
Where can I purchase sulfur at a reasonable price?
Garden supply is good for sulfur. So is http://www.skylighter.com. They supply a large range of pyrotechnic chemicals and so forth.
Cool – but does anyone know where potassium nitrate can be purchased in Australia legally and relatively cheaply? BTW, enjoy the blog very much Anne-Marie, have heaps of ideas for the kids and have learnt a thing or two myself as well.
The product offered at Home Depot actually contains sodium pyrosulfate, has no potassium nitrate at all. Went to Lowes today and found the Spectracide Stump Remover which is 100% KNO3, according to MSDS published online.
Hi guys,
I get all my Potassium Nitrate and rocket fuel chemicals from: http://www.hobbychemicalsdirect.page.tl
They are a UK only site, but sell high quality pyrotechnic goods at low prices.
is it safe to use in food if I buy it from Lowes and Home Depot? I am trying to make homemade corned beef.
I was looking for saltpeter to make corned beef. I tried to find it locally but no one knew what I was talking about. Investigating I found Just what I needed. It’s a Morton salt product called tender quick. Very fine salt (easier to dissolve) and the nitrates you need all in a pacage ready to use. I have looked at recipes for corned beef and most call for a wide range of spices. All you need is McCormick pickling spice. It has it all.
I really would not use it in food at all, but in any case, these product are not necessarily food-grade chemicals and shouldn’t be used as such.
I can buy Sodium Nitrate in grocery stores where I live which produces similar results. It is also food-grade
great vids and thnaks for the info
If you use stump remover insteed of saltpeter is more toxic?
It shouldn’t be more toxic. However, it’s important to check the stump remover label to make sure it’s potassium nitrate since some stump removers use a different chemical.
No kidding… This would have been helpful in your video! I bought a brand from Home Depot today and after cooking it and being overwhelmed got online and found out it contains pyrosulfate. I checked the label, and the idiotic company DIDN’T LIST THE INGREDIENTS! I unfortunately assumed it was because it was almost pure KNO3!
Icabod,
I can’t really say. It depends on what impurities are in the saltpeter and what else might be in the stump remover. If they are pure potassium nitrate then they are pretty non-toxic.
You can buy Sulfur,Potassium Nitrate and Chlorate from tulucechemicals.com
I live in the midwest USA and have not been able to find it anywhere. Tried hardware stores, nurseries, etc. I’m guessing you can’t get it easily as it can be used to make explosives. Grrr!
We have plenty of Sulphur, Charcoal and Potassium Nitrate. Perfect for Pyro
What type of potassium goes into food, and where can it be found in Louisiana???
Most potassium in food is not the result of potassium nitrate. Artificial sugars such as acesulfame potassium and salt substitutes such as potassium chloride are the most common potassium compounds in food.
can i get saltpeter in lowes in PA
You might try a pottery supply store, they use Potassium nitrate in some pottery making processes
FYI, no Home Depots in my area (I’m an employee) carry Potassium Nitrate. We do not have any spectracide product with Potassium Nitrate. Also, the stum remover we currently carry uses a different agent.
where can i get Potassium nitrate cheep and legally in Peoria Illinois
Am feeding 3 semi-ferral out-door cats and am looking for a way to curb the males new found love for the opposite sex. Salt peter is what they used to use in prison (don’t know if they still do – doubt it considering all the “love” stories you hear about from in there). Any other ideas would be appreciated. One of the ojects of the males amorous intentions is his very own sister. YIKES!
Vashti your comment is wrong saltpeter has no effect on libido.That is an urban legend.It has been used in curing meats.You can also find it as an ingredient in toothpaste for sensitive teeth.It is harmless if used correctly.Please do some research before posting comments.Btw you will probably kill the cats instead of curbing their enthusiasm.
if your in Austrailia or New Zealand ‘The Home Depot’ is the American equivilant to Bunnings
where can i get potassium nitrate very cheap in india
wow, chefmike you are hard! Vashti thinks saltpeter is a way to curb the libido and so did I. I have heard for years that this would curb sexual activity in males. So, how do you know any differently? I mean I will google it now, but I thought you were being kinda rude to Vashti.
Some of us are actually looking for a way to cure meats for prepping, like me. I am a prepper who wants to be prepared in case of a disaster.
You made my day! I am convinced I can make corned beef but did not realize it would be so difficult to find the saltpeter. My husband is on his way to the store
Any good brands that contain 100% Kno3 in Bay Area, California?
Where can I buy potassium nitrate in southwest georgia?
Does anyone know where I can find these ingredients; Sulfur, and Potassium Nitrate? I’ve heard that you can obtain Potassium Nitrate in “Salt Peter”, which you can buy at a department store, (Home Depot, Lowes, etc…) and I have read that in some places it is available, however, is it available in San Diego, California?
Much Appreciated
Thanks.
Does anyone know where I can find Sulfur and Potassium Nitrate in San Diego, CA?
I make powdered incense from sawdust, herbs & oils. To make it self-incindiary I have used salt peter. I used to buy it at any drugstore, but have been unsuccessful in locating it for several years. Now It has to be sprinkled on a piece of charcoal in a censor…does not produce quite the desired effect. Any retailers in Kansas?
Saltpeter is available at bulk grocery stores operated by Amish and Mennonites as it is still used as a meat preservative. Priced some the other day, $12.54/lb.
Saltpeter” is just the archaic name for potassium nitrate just like “quicksilver” is for mercury or “oil of vitriol” is for sulfuric acid. It is exactly the same thing as potassium nitrate”:KNO3.
Anyone know a source of supply in Bogota, Colombia?
check your local harware store truevalue bomgars ect….
i want make a smoke bomb……but….where to buy kno 3…at hardwere or garden shop??
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/spectracide-1-lb-stump-remover-hg-66420-3.html#.UKQ7pYc0WSo
I am from Saint John, New Brunswick and would love to be able to purchase Saltpeter, I use to be able to get it at the drugstore but they no longer sell it and I can’t order it. Does anyone know where or how I might be able to purchase or order this.
Where can I buy Potassium Nitrate for metal bluing, such as shot gun and rifle barrels??
I recently purchased food grade salt petre in an Amish bulk food store, because I am gathering ingredients to make homemade bologna. Do a search for or store, if they are to far away from you some are now online.
you can do what I did. Go buy an Amazon gift card and order it from Amazon