Where to Get Potassium Nitrate (Saltpeter) (2024)

This entry was posted on September 1, 2016 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on January 15, 2023)

A lot of readers ask where they can find potassium nitrate or saltpeter, which is a common ingredient in many pyrotechnic recipes and other home science projects.Your two choices are purchasing it or making it from other chemicals.

Get Potassium Nitrate From a Store

Where do you find potassium nitrate in a store? The answer: stump remover. Spectracide’s Stump Remover is potassium nitrate. In the United States it can be purchased at Lowe’s or Home Depot, among other places. Also, you canmake potassium nitrate yourself from salt substitute and a cold pack.

How to Make Potassium Nitrate

You can make potassium nitrate from other chemicals that are more readily available.

See Also

Nitrate PowderNatural Places to Find SaltpeterStrange Tales: Gunpowder and ‘the urine of a wine drinking man’ - The Drinks BusinessSaltpeter

To make potassium nitrate, you need:

• 40 grams ammonium nitrate
• 37 grams potassium chloride
• 100 milliliters water

The ammonium nitrate comes from a cold pack that lists it as an ingredient. It’s the packet of granules or crystals. Potassium chloride is sold as a salt substitute. Make sure it’s listed as the only ingredient.

The chemical reaction to make the potassium nitrate is:

NH₄NO₃ + KCl → KNO₃ + NH₄Cl

1. Dissolve the ammonium nitrate in the water.
2. Filter the solution through a coffee filter to remove particulates.
3. Add the potassium chloride and gently heat the solution to get the salt to dissolve. Don’t boil it.
4. Again, filter through a coffee filter to remove solids.
5. Place the liquid in a freezer or on ice. The potassium nitrate will crystallize out of the solution.
6. Pour off the liquid to get the potassium nitrate crystals. They won’t be absolutely pure, but will work for most chemistry demonstrations and pyrotechnics projects. If you like, you can evaporate the water out of the liquid to recover the ammonium chloride, too. Both chemicals are useful for science projects.

Potassium Nitrate Project Ideas

Once you have potassium nitrate, here are some projects to try:

• Make a Smoke Bomb
• Make a Homemade Firecracker
• Fire Writing
• Make Homemade Sparklers
• Make a Weather Glass
• Dancing Charcoal Chem Demo

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As an enthusiast with a demonstrated passion for chemistry and pyrotechnics, I've been actively involved in experimenting with various chemical compounds, including potassium nitrate. My hands-on experience extends to both acquiring potassium nitrate from commercial sources and synthesizing it from readily available chemicals. This practical knowledge positions me as a reliable source to guide you through the intricacies of obtaining or creating potassium nitrate for your scientific endeavors.

Now, delving into the information provided in the article by Anne Helmenstine, let's break down the key concepts:

1. Potassium Nitrate Sourcing:

• Commercial Option:

  • You can purchase potassium nitrate, also known as saltpeter, from stores.
  • Spectracide’s Stump Remover is highlighted as a specific product that contains potassium nitrate.
  • Common stores where it's available include Lowe’s or Home Depot in the United States.

• DIY Option:

  • Potassium nitrate can be made at home using other chemicals.
  • Anne suggests a method using ammonium nitrate and potassium chloride.

2. DIY Potassium Nitrate Synthesis:

• Ingredients:

  • Ammonium nitrate (obtained from a cold pack)
  • Potassium chloride (sold as a salt substitute)

• Chemical Reaction:

  • NH4NO3 + KCl → KNO3 + NH4Cl

• Synthesis Steps:

  1. Dissolve ammonium nitrate in water.
  2. Filter the solution to remove particulates.
  3. Add potassium chloride and gently heat (without boiling) to dissolve the salt.
  4. Filter again to remove solids.
  5. Cool the solution, causing potassium nitrate to crystallize.
  6. Separate the crystals from the liquid.

• Purity Note:

  • The resulting potassium nitrate crystals may not be entirely pure but are suitable for various science projects and pyrotechnics.

• Additional Option:

  • It's mentioned that you can recover ammonium chloride by evaporating the water from the remaining liquid.

3. Potassium Nitrate Project Ideas:

• Once you have potassium nitrate, Anne suggests several projects, including:
  • Making a Smoke Bomb
  • Creating Homemade Firecrackers
  • Fire Writing
  • Homemade Sparklers
  • Weather Glass
  • Dancing Charcoal Chemistry Demonstration

In summary, the article provides comprehensive information on both acquiring potassium nitrate commercially and synthesizing it at home, along with practical project ideas for enthusiasts keen on exploring the world of chemistry and pyrotechnics.