Make your own liquid Splenda!

[locarbman]

[COLOR=black]

Originally Posted by cyberus

So whats the need to make 1 cup amounts and odd numbers?

[/COLOR]

Originally Posted by cyberus

[COLOR=black]Why not mix whatever container size of powder with an appropriate amount of water and be done with it?[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Just curious[/COLOR]

For those interested in the convenience of ‘accurately’ ;-) mixing Liquid Sucralose, without the fuss of weighing to the nearest 100th of a gram or using approximate volume conversions, I would like to suggest that you may mix a 2oz container of Quick Sweet powder in 6T plus 1 1/2t water… ;-)

How much water do we need to mix with 56.7g (2oz*28.35g) Sucralose powder?
(25% w/v) Liquid Sucralose concentration requires 100ml water with 59.15g Sucralose powder
59.15g is to 100ml water as 56.7g is to Xml water. X= 95.857988ml water

Using the Online Volume Conversion site:
95.857 988 milliliter = 6.482 688 364 9 Tablespoon [US]
0.482 688 364 9 Tablespoon [US] = 1.448 065 094 7 Teaspoon [US]

Therefore 6T plus 1 1/2t water mixed with a 2oz container of Quick Sweet Sucralose powder will yield a concentration of 25% w/v Liquid Sucralose where 1/4t = 1c sugar (can be mixed in the container, less than 1/2c Liquid Sucralose to store... ;-)

Hope this helps...

[cyberus]

locarbman
... not to be obtuse
... but in one post you have

-------
2.8 Tablespoons (25g) Sucralose powder in 0.42cup (100ml) water

Or 6 2/3 Tablespoons (59.15g) Sucralose powder in 1 cup (236.6ml) water.
--------

and in the next

-------
How much water do we need to mix with 56.7g (2oz*28.35g) Sucralose powder?
(25% w/v) Liquid Sucralose concentration requires 100ml water with 59.15g Sucralose powder
--------

Now personally from prior postings I had come to the conclusion that 2oz of powder in 8oz of water would get me where I wanted to go (taking 25g/100ml as a 1 to 4 ratio).

Did I miss a comma somewhere or is there a typo somewhere in these posts???

[locarbman]

You're right, I apologize, mental slip... ;-( will recalculate the above post!!!

[COLOR=black]For those interested in the convenience of ‘accurately’ ;-) mixing Liquid Sucralose, without the fuss of weighing to the nearest 100th of a gram or using approximate volume conversions, I would like to suggest that you may mix a 2 oz container of Quick Sweet powder in 1 cup water… ;-)[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]How much water do we need to mix with 56.7g (2oz*28.35g) Sucralose powder?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black](25%w/v) Liquid Sucralose concentration requires 100 ml water with 25g Sucralose powder.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]25g is to 100 water as 56.7g is to Xml water. X= 226.8ml water[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Using the Online Volume Conversion site:[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]226.8 milliter = 0.958 627 543 6 cup [US][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]0.8 milliter = 0.162 307 308 97 Teaspoon [US][/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Therefore 1c water mixed with a 2oz container of Quick Sweet Sucralose powder will yield a concentration of 25% w/v Liquid Sucralose where 1/4t = 1c sugar.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Hope this helps…[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Thanks Cyberus ;-)[/COLOR]

[cyberus]

Heh ... no apologies necessary ... brainfarts happen to all of us.

Originally Posted by locarbman

You're right, I apologize, mental slip... ;-( will recalculate the above post!!!

[COLOR=black]For those interested in the convenience of ‘accurately’ ;-) mixing Liquid Sucralose, without the fuss of weighing to the nearest 100th of a gram or using approximate volume conversions, I would like to suggest that you may mix a 2 oz container of Quick Sweet powder in 1 cup water… ;-)[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]How much water do we need to mix with 56.7g (2oz*28.35g) Sucralose powder?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black](25%w/v) Liquid Sucralose concentration requires 100 ml water with 25g Sucralose powder.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]25g is to 100 water as 56.7g is to Xml water. X= 226.8ml water[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Using the Online Volume Conversion site:[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]226.8 milliter = 0.958 627 543 6 cup [US][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]0.8 milliter = 0.162 307 308 97 Teaspoon [US][/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Therefore 1c water mixed with a 2oz container of Quick Sweet Sucralose powder will yield a concentration of 25% w/v Liquid Sucralose where 1/4t = 1c sugar.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Hope this helps…[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Thanks Cyberus ;-)[/COLOR]

[locarbman]

Originally Posted by cyberus

Heh ... no apologies necessary ... brainfarts happen to all of us.

Boy! I hate this editing limit!!! ;-)

One more edit job...hope 'Murphy' ;-) lets me get it done right this time LOL!


[COLOR=black]For those interested in the convenience of ‘accurately’ ;-) mixing [COLOR=#016798]Liquid Sucralose[/COLOR], without the fuss of weighing to the nearest 100th of a gram or using approximate volume conversions, I would like to suggest that you may mix a 2 oz container of Quick Sweet powder in 1 cup less 2t water… ;-)[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]How much water do we need to mix with 56.7g (2oz*28.35g) Sucralose powder?[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black](25%w/v) Liquid Sucralose concentration requires 100 ml water with 25g Sucralose powder.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]25g is to 100ml water as 56.7g is to Xml water. X= 226.8ml water[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Using the Online Volume Conversion site:[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]226.8 milliter = 0.958 627 543 6 cup [US][/COLOR]
(1c - 0.9586275436c = 0.041373c)
[COLOR=black]0.041373c = 1.985 904 Teaspoon [US][/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Therefore 1c less 2t water mixed with a 2oz container of Quick Sweet Sucralose powder will yield a concentration of 25% w/v Liquid Sucralose where 1/4t = 1c sugar.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Hope this (finally) helps…[/COLOR]

PS: The container only holds 7oz water ;-)

[COLOR=black]Thanks again cyberus ;-)[/COLOR]

[Soobee]

Thank you,locarbman, for doing the math. And for putting it into terms I understand, I think.

[shadowzip]

Where are you getting your powder.

With the above formula 4 oz powder from the auction site is $70.00 which would make 16 oz liquid. $7.00 shipping

16 oz of premixed liquid is $66.00 + $10.00 shipping.

I guess I am trying to figure out the advantage to mixing your own, am I missing something? Or do you have a better priced source? I know the one seller at the site has raised prices about 30% since I purchased from them a year ago.

Lowcarbman, my head is spinning trying to keep up but I think I follow you!

[locarbman]

Originally Posted by shadowzip

Where are you getting your powder.

With the above formula 4 oz powder from the auction site is $70.00 which would make 16 oz liquid. $7.00 shipping

16 oz of premixed liquid is $66.00 + $10.00 shipping.

I guess I am trying to figure out the advantage to mixing your own, am I missing something? Or do you have a better priced source? I know the one seller at the site has raised prices about 30% since I purchased from them a year ago.

Lowcarbman, my head is spinning trying to keep up but I think I follow you!

[COLOR=black]LOL! Soobee and shadowzip, I'm doing my best to keep it simple... ;-)[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]I’m coming from the circumstance of having purchased a rather large amount of Sucralose powder (22oz @ $28/oz ;-) in 2003 and my main interest is mixing up this pure powder in smaller liquid quantities…have never purchased Liquid Sucralose or Sweetzfree, etc. I did receive my first 4.23oz bottle of Quick Sweet Liquid Sucralose today for testing in my refractometer ;-) The main differences between the powder and liquid are expressed at bobo’s ‘American Health Foods & Ingredients’ site:[/COLOR]

[COLOR=#4669a4]“Powder vs. Liquid[/COLOR]


[COLOR=#333333]Pure sucralose is solid. Our powder is 100% sucralose – pure sucralose and nothing else. Any “Liquid Sucralose” is sucralose dissolved in water and other ingredients. [/COLOR][COLOR=#333333]There is no “pure liquid sucralose.”[/COLOR][COLOR=#333333] Our Liquid Sucralose sweetener contains 25% sucralose by weight.[/COLOR]

• Powder is pure, whereas liquid contains water, citric acid, and preservatives.
• Powder is at 100% concentration (it may be easy to add too much when you need only a very small amount).
• Liquid may taste better because of the citric acid.
• Liquid may allow better amount control because of its lower concentration. [Adding powder at 600 times sugar, liquid at 192 times sugar (1/4 teaspoon = the equivalent of 1 cup of sugar)]

[COLOR=#4669a4]Ingredients[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]Pure Sucralose Powder: [/COLOR][COLOR=#333333]pure sucralose powder.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]Liquid Sucralose: [/COLOR][COLOR=#333333]water, sucralose (25% of total weight), citric acid, sodium citrate, with potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate as preservatives.”[/COLOR]
__________

[COLOR=#333333]Their current price for Quick Sweet Sucralose powder is $38+s/h per 2oz container and $65+s/h for 16oz Liquid Sucralose…[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]My personal preference is to mix Sucralose powder (without the additional preservatives) in smaller quantities (~1 cup liquid concentration at a time) and have found this adequate for my personal use. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]I haven’t, thus far, looked at comparative pricing between the currently available powder and liquid sources…will leave that to the rest of you…until I use up my ‘stash’ ;-) [/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Your figures, $77 for powder and $76 for liquid are pretty close…you are left with the choice of a pure powder that you may mix in convenient smaller sizes or liquid, with preservatives, that, for 16oz, will last a long…long time ;-)[/COLOR]

Hope this helps...

[shadowzip]

Thank you locarbman. I do see you are "keeping it simple for us".

I just thought there was a cheaper source for the powder somewhere that I was not finding, I see, for you, it is indeed better to mix your own, as you have a previously purchased stash. Thank you for the explanation.

[retroworx]

Originally Posted by Soobee

Thank you,locarbman, for doing the math. And for putting it into terms I understand, I think.

Wow, scary. If Soobee has her head spinning with this , I'm in some serious trouble when I finally tackle mixing mine.

[locarbman]

Update ;-)

My Clearly Fiber (Fibersol-2) arrived today and I mixed 2 1/3t with 1/16t Sucralose powder per Formula #1 ;-)

Formula #1 - 1/16th teaspoon Sucralose Powder + 2.34 teaspoons Digestive Resistant Maltodextrin Powder = 2.34 teaspoons LCF Stuff ;-)

As both powders are white, it is not possible to determine visually whether the mixing (mixed for 1 minute with a 1/8t spoon in a small vial) was effective, however, a 1/8t of the mixture in a cup of coffee seems to work OK in my first test... ;-) Will continue to use more and will report any burst of sweetness or lack of sweetness in future use...will not yet apply for a patent...lol!

This product is 100% Digestive Resistant Maltodextrin!

PS: My Cuisipro measuring spoons are a great help...the set consists of 2t-10ml, 1 1/2t-7.5ml, 2/3t-3.3ml, 1/8t-0.625ml, and a 'pinch' 1/16t-0.312ml spoons to augment my standard set...

[locarbman]

The purpose of this post is to share my efforts to define an ‘accurate’ strength reference for a 25% weight / volume solution of Sucralose powder…now that it has become commercially available. ;-)

The basic question is just how much sugar equivalence is contained in a given volume of a 25% w/v Sucralose powder solution? And, how should it be expressed as the ‘strength’ of this solution?

“Strength”, per Webster's Online Dictionary, “is a term applied to the quantity of active substance per unit volume of a solution.”

We know that a 25% w/v solution requires 25 grams solute (Sucralose Powder) per 100 milliliters liquid (water).

We also know that Sucralose powder has a strength of 600 times sugar (literature consensus).

Therefore 25 grams Sucralose powder will equal 15,000 grams of sugar equivalence (25g*600g, weight to weight).

From the Online Conversion site [COLOR=#800080]http://www.onlineconversion.com/weight_volume_cooking.htm[/COLOR]

granulated sugar - 1 gram = 0.250 474 242 236 teaspoon [US]

Multiplying 15,000 grams sugar equivalency by 0.25 grams per teaspoon equals 3,750 teaspoons (weight to volume) of sugar equivalence per 100 milliliters of solution.

Further, dividing 3,750 teaspoon sugar equivalence by 48 teaspoons per cup equals 78.125 cups (7 1/8th cup ;-) of sugar equivalence per 100 milliliters of solution.

To find the value for 1 cup of solution, we use a ratio:

78.125 cups sugar equivalence is to 100 milliliters solution as X(unknown) cups sugar equivalence is to 236.6 milliliters (1 cup) solution. X=78.125*236.6/100; X=185 cups sugar equivalence per 1 cup of 25% weight / volume solution of Sucralose powder.

Per Webster’s definition, we now have a value of 185 cups sugar equivalence of Sucralose powder (active substance) per 1 cup water (unit volume) of a solution.

I submit that a true ‘strength’ value for the 25% w/v Sucralose powder solution is 185 times sugar!!!

[COLOR=black]Given that 25%w/v Sucralose is 185 times sugar:[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]1t. 25%w/v Sucralose = 3.85 cups sugar (185/48)(~4cups ;-)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]1/2t. 25%w/v Sucralose = 1.92 cups sugar (92 teaspoons)(~2cups)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]1/4t. 25%w/v Sucralose = 0.96 cup sugar (46 teaspoons)(~1cup)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]1/8t. 25%w/v Sucralose = 0.48 cup sugar (23 teaspoons)(~1/2cup)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]1/16t. 25%w/v Sucralose = 0.24 cup sugar (12 teaspoons)(1/4cup)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]1/32t. 25%w/v Sucralose = 0.12 cup sugar (6 teaspoons)(1/8cup)[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]For those interested in the convenience of ‘accurately’ ;-) mixing a 25% w/v Sucralose powder solution, without the fuss of weighing to the nearest 100th of a gram or using approximate volume conversions, I would like to suggest that you may mix a 2 oz container (pre weighed ;-) of Quick Sweet Sucralose powder in 1 cup less 2 teaspoons water… [/COLOR]

PS: This strength applies to all 25% w/v Sucralose powder solutions regardless of the source of 'pure Sucralose powder'.

PPS: CreekWatcher -The Clearly Fiber (Splenda Packet equivalent) mixture is still working well! ;-)

Ain’t it terrible how I spend my Sunday’s…lol!

[wantingtoloose]

Well said BoBo, with much information and class.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by locarbman

Boy! I hate this editing limit!!! ;-)

One more edit job...hope 'Murphy' ;-) lets me get it done right this time LOL!

Hi locarbman, you may want to use the LCF Blogs to post charts and things that you may want to update at a later time. There is no time limit on your edits there: Low Carb Friends - Blogs

[locarbman]

Originally Posted by Tom

Hi locarbman, you may want to use the LCF Blogs to post charts and things that you may want to update at a later time. There is no time limit on your edits there: Low Carb Friends - Blogs

Thank you very much Tom, I have never used a Blog...will definitely check it out! ;-)

[bonnie0128]

Hello, I'm new here...this is my first post. I've been lurking on and off while gathering recipes and info as google has brought up this site several times during my searching.

lowcarbman - would you mind answering a few questions for me?

Where did you get your cuisipro measuring spoons? Those additional measurements sound wonderful!

I am considering ordering the sucralose powder. Am I doing the math correctly? What would be the sugar equivalent of 1/8 t powder? 75 t/1.56 cups? I was just figuring if I'd ever be able to use the powder in powder form. If my math is correct then 1/16 t would be a little more than 3/4 cup of sugar.

Have you had any issues with your liquid sucralose combination (at 25%) staying fresh? I'm considering only mixing 1 oz with 1/2 cup water minus 1 t. Do you keep it in the refrigerator once mixed?

Thanks so much for your great math skills and suggestions!

[locarbman]

Hi Bonnie,

Welcome to Low Carb Friends!

“Where did you get your cuisipro measuring spoons?”

I purchased my Cuisipro 5-Piece Odd Size Measuring Spoon Set about 10 years ago when I began my low carb journey…don’t remember where…but it was from an on-line source. I have just Googled “Cuisipro measuring spoons” and received numerous Web Results… ;-)

“What would be the sugar equivalent of 1/8 t powder? 75 t/1.56 cups?”

Yes! 1/8 teaspoon Sucralose powder at a strength of 600 times sugar would be equivalent to 75 teaspoons sugar (600/8) which would also be equal to 1.5625 cups sugar (75/48).

"I was just figuring if I'd ever be able to use the powder in powder form. If my math is correct then 1/16 t would be a little more than 3/4 cup of sugar."

Correct! 1/16t Sucralose powder would be equivalent to 37.5 teaspoons sugar (600/16) and would be equivalent to 0.78125 cups (37.5/48) or ~ ¾ cups sugar… ;-) I have only used the powder, by itself, to mix with Digestive Resistant Maltodextrin as an equivalent to Splenda Packets for sweetening my coffee...so far. I find the liquid concentrations much more convenient, and accurate, for recipes.

I still recommend mixing a pre-weighed container of ‘2oz Quick Sweet Sucralose powder’ in 1 cup less 2 teaspoons water for a more acccurate solution, unless you have a very accurate scale. Due to the high strength of the powder…a little too much or too little powder may have a rather large effect with 'powder only' use in recipes…1 cup in the refrigerator has worked well for me for ~6 years...doesn’t take up too much room… ;-)

“Have you had any issues with your liquid sucralose combination (at 25%) staying fresh?”

I have been using a solution of 1/2 ounce Sucralose powder mixed in 1 cup of water since 2003, keeping it stored in my refrigerator, and have had absolutely no problems...at all! My current experiment with a 25% w/v solution (mixed ~2 weeks ago) is pending receipt of a refractometer for testing to confirm its concentration…have not used it in recipe’s…yet ;-)

"Thanks so much for your great math skills and suggestions!"

LOL! Hope this helps and you enjoy making your own Liquid Splenda!

[bonnie0128]

Thank you for all the great info lowcarbman!

You mentioned that you keep a solution of 1/2 oz powder to 1 cup of water. How do you measure this concentration for use as a sweetener? I know that with the 25% solution 1/4 t = sweetness of 1 cup sugar and 3 drops = the sweetness of 2 t of sugar. Your solution is 4x weaker...is that right? So with yours... 1/4 t = sweetness of 1/4 cup sugar and 2 drops = sweetness of 1/2 t sugar? That seems like a nice conentration to work with - a bit more forgiving.

I used to be good at math...my how the skills get fuzzy when not used!!!

[bonnie0128]

Did you know that they make measuring spoons for 1/32 and 1/64 teaspoon? I didn't! They call it a drop (1/64) and a smidgen (1/32). Guess there's room for us to learn something new every day. I found them online.

[locarbman]

Originally Posted by bonnie0128

Thank you for all the great info lowcarbman!

You mentioned that you keep a solution of 1/2 oz powder to 1 cup of water. How do you measure this concentration for use as a sweetener? I know that with the 25% solution 1/4 t = sweetness of 1 cup sugar and 3 drops = the sweetness of 2 t of sugar. Your solution is 4x weaker...is that right? So with yours... 1/4 t = sweetness of 1/4 cup sugar and 2 drops = sweetness of 1/2 t sugar? That seems like a nice conentration to work with - a bit more forgiving.

I used to be good at math...my how the skills get fuzzy when not used!!!

LOL! Your math is just fine... ;-)

My 1/2oz (14.71g) Sucralose powder per 1 cup water actually yields a strength of 44 times sugar, just a little less than 1/4th the strength of a 25%w/v solution at 46 (185/4) times sugar.

Approximate & Precise ;-) calculations for ½ ounce Sucralose powder in 1 cup of water:
1t = ~1 cup sugar (precisely 0.92 cups or 44 teaspoons sugar equivalence ;-)
1/2t = ~1/2 cup sugar (0.46 cups or 22 teaspoons sugar equivalence)
1/4t = ~1/4 cup sugar (0.23 cups or 11 teaspoons sugar equivalence)
1/8t = ~1/8 cup sugar (0.11 cups or 5.5 teaspoons sugar equivalence)
1/16t = ~1/16 cup sugar (0.06 cups or 2.75 teaspoons sugar equivalence)
1/32t = ~1/32 cup sugar (0.03cups or 1.38 teaspoons sugar equivalence)

This has been a convenient approximation for me, however, for those who can measure to the nearest 100th of a gram a more precise measure for 1/4th of a 25%w/v solution is actually 14.78g Sucralose powder per cup of water... ;-)

PS: I caught your post earlier (containing the URL) for a Mini Spoon Set and ordered one...thanks for the 'heads up'...

[bonnie0128]

Thanks again lowcarbman!

I DID order some sucralose powder - got 1/4 oz for less than $4 including shipping. Thought that would be a good amount to experiment with and make sure that I like the product.

Now, I just need to decide which concentration of liquid sucralose I want to make!

[locarbman]

For those determined to use pure Sucralose powder for dry-mix applications or just do not wish to prepare liquid concentrations, I submit this chart indicating sugar equivalent values for various teaspoon measures of pure Sucralose powder:

..............Cups....Teaspoons
1t..........12.50.........600
1/2t.........6.25.........300
1/4t.........3.13.........150
1/8t.........1.56...........75
1/16t........0.78..........37.50
1/32t........0.39..........18.75
1/64t........0.20............9.38
1/128t......0.10............4.69
1/256t......0.05............2.34
1/512t......0.02............1.17

I have added 1/64t in honor of bonnie0128's find of a Mini-Spoon Set including a 1/64th teaspoon ;-) For those without smaller teaspoon sizes, I suggest using a razor blade to 'cut' larger measures progressively in half to achieve smaller amounts...have fun! ;-)

[locarbman]

PS: to above post ;-0

Of course, one may wish to consider using a bulking substance such as zero carb, zero calorie, soluble fiber, Digestive Resistant Maltodextrin powder (Fibersol-2) mixed with pure Sucralose powder to achieve smaller sugar equivalent values (refer to posts #98, #118, #119 and #131 above)... ;-)

[gharkness]

Originally Posted by locarbman

PS: to above post ;-0

Of course, one may wish to consider using a bulking substance such as zero carb, zero calorie, soluble fiber, Digestive Resistant Maltodextrin powder (Fibersol-2) mixed with pure Sucralose powder to achieve smaller sugar equivalent values (refer to posts #98, #118, #119 and #131 above)... ;-)

Which brings up an interesting thought.....what about using something that is pretty much easy to obtain - like Benefiber - as a bulking substance? If mixed well, looks like this might work.

I'll have to say, though - I have used the uncut sucralose powder for some years now and haven't had any problem getting the right quantity for my recipes (but then I'm pretty flexible....a little sweeter, a little less sweet....it's all good! )

[cyberus]

Originally Posted by locarbman

For those determined to use pure Sucralose powder for dry-mix applications or just do not wish to prepare liquid concentrations, I submit this chart indicating sugar equivalent values for various teaspoon measures of pure Sucralose powder:

..............Cups....Teaspoons
1t..........12.50.........600
1/2t.........6.25.........300
1/4t.........3.13.........150
1/8t.........1.56...........75
1/16t........0.78..........37.50
1/32t........0.39..........18.75
1/64t........0.20............9.38
1/128t......0.10............4.69
1/256t......0.05............2.34
1/512t......0.02............1.17

I have added 1/64t in honor of bonnie0128's find of a Mini-Spoon Set including a 1/64th teaspoon ;-) For those without smaller teaspoon sizes, I suggest using a razor blade to 'cut' larger measures progressively in half to achieve smaller amounts...have fun! ;-)

Wouldn't it be easier to just use a gram scale if you are going to work with quantities like this?

[bonnie0128]

Originally Posted by gharkness

Which brings up an interesting thought.....what about using something that is pretty much easy to obtain - like Benefiber - as a bulking substance? If mixed well, looks like this might work.

I've been thinking the same thing. I can't have maltodextrin or dextrose which is why I'm looking for alternatives to the commercially ready Splenda. My SIL and I also use a brand of Stevia that adds inulin (sp?) as a bulking agent/fiber. Inulin is also a bit sweet on its own and adds to the stevia. We thought about looking to see if it is available to use as a bulking agent with sucralose but I haven't taken the time to look yet.

[locarbman]

Originally Posted by cyberus

Wouldn't it be easier to just use a gram scale if you are going to work with quantities like this?

Well, we all must use those measuring devices we either have on hand or can afford... ;-)

Measuring Accuracy:
Per Scott in post #20(p1)…
[COLOR=black]”Powdered sucralose is so powerful that it has to be measured incredibly exactly for making [COLOR=#016798]liquid splenda[/COLOR]- to the thousandth of a gram. If you're the slightest bit off, you won't be able to use it for recipes that call for liquid splenda because it will be either way to weak or way too strong. So, either you'll need a super accurate scale or buy it from someone who you know is measuring it precisely.”[/COLOR]

Pre-measured units (My 1st choice ;-):
Quick Sweet Sucralose powder is currently sold in 2oz and 4oz, pre-measured quantities.

Gram scales (My 2nd choice ;-):
[COLOR=black]Per my post #80(p3)…[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]"I took my powder to our local Medicine Shop Pharmacy where the Pharmacist determined its weight to be 2.07g per teaspoon (5ml) noting that it was a bit difficult obtaining accurate results because: 1) “this substance is so fluffy”, and 2) “It has a tendency to stick to the spoon”."[/COLOR] My personal scale has an accuracy range of +/- 1/8th gram or +/- 18.75 teaspoons sugar.

Measuring spoons (My 3rd choice ;-):
My measuring spoon set ranges from 1 Tablespoon to 1/32 teaspoon. 1/32 teaspoon is equivalent to 18.75 teaspoons sugar

Cutting with a razor blade (My last choice ;-)
When wishing to use smaller units than achievable with the above devices, one may cut measured amounts into smaller equivalencies by progressively cutting larger, measured, amounts in half with a razor blade on a glass surface…seems to work for drug dealers in the movies…lol!

In my opinion, using larger amounts of 'measured' Sucralose powder to create concentrated solutions (ie; a 25%w/v solution) will reduce the measuring error factor considerably, producing much more accurate measures of sugar equivalence for use in recipes.

By all means, use your gram scale...if you have one... ;-)

[Soobee]

Bonnie, Fibersure is pure inulin. I don't know if it's the best price, but it's easy to get at any drug store or Walmart. IT's in the blue cannister.

[locarbman]

Originally Posted by gharkness

Which brings up an interesting thought.....what about using something that is pretty much easy to obtain - like Benefiber - as a bulking substance? If mixed well, looks like this might work.

I'll have to say, though - I have used the uncut sucralose powder for some years now and haven't had any problem getting the right quantity for my recipes (but then I'm pretty flexible....a little sweeter, a little less sweet....it's all good! )

Georgene, Benefiber is made from 'digestible' Wheat Dextrin. I believe a better choice would be Clearly Fiber (Fibersol-2) which is a 'digestive resistant' maltodextrin, readily available from a reliable source by Google search...details in post #119(p4) and #131(above)... ;-)

Bonnie, and Soobee, I have not yet used inulin...it is known to be indigestible in humans, however metabolizes in the colon...a bit 'gassy' ;-0 but may also be a good candidate for use in small amounts. Guess I'll have to give Netrition's NOW Inulin Powder a try and compare it to the Clearly Fiber... ;-)

[gharkness]

Originally Posted by bonnie0128

I've been thinking the same thing. I can't have maltodextrin or dextrose which is why I'm looking for alternatives to the commercially ready Splenda. My SIL and I also use a brand of Stevia that adds inulin (sp?) as a bulking agent/fiber. Inulin is also a bit sweet on its own and adds to the stevia. We thought about looking to see if it is available to use as a bulking agent with sucralose but I haven't taken the time to look yet.

I have a couple bags of inulin....it gives me gas, so I quit using it. Actually it's sold as a sweetener on its own, which is how I came about it. My original source doesn't sell it any more, but I bet you can find it available on the web. OIC, it's availabe here at Netrition (replying before reading...)

Hmmm this is interesting. I went and looked at my bag, and the main ingredient is inulin, but it also has poly-d added, which may be the source of the gas. Soobee, I see you've found a 'cleaner' source. I don't know what it costs at the drug store, but I paid way too much for this stuff online (it was supposed to be the only available source....) If you read it on the internet, it's gotta be true, right?

To locarbman: yes, I was just thinking of something that was easily available and not likely to cause digestive upset. I have a couple bottles in my cabinet right now (of the Benefiber), though I don't use it any more, and I personally don't need to 'dilute' my sucralose. I guess my question to you is: why is it better to have a digestive-resistant fiber than to have a "digestible" fiber, if neither have any calories (and if I understand correctly, Benefiber has no calories)? It seems like the digestive-resistant fiber would be more likley to cause problems with gas, IF you are prone to gas problems.

This is a very enlightening discussion. I am really appreciating everyone's input.