Can You Use Fridge & Freezer Baking Soda for Baking

Last Updated on September 12, 2024 by Shari Mason

Many individuals may be confused by the difference between regular baking soda and fridge baking soda. These are two distinct products, each serving its own specific function.

But can you use the Fridge-n-Freezer Baking Soda for baking? Read on to learn more about fridge baking soda and discover why you can’t use it for baking like a regular baking soda.

Fridge-N-Freezer Baking Soda: Can You Use It For Baking? 

No, you can’t use the fridge baking soda for cooking or baking. It is specifically designed for deodorizing your fridges and is not intended and can’t be used for baking.

Yes, Fridge-n-Freezer is a baking soda, but it is not meant for cooking, nor does it act as a leavening agent that could make the dough rise or as a tenderizer for meat.

Read: Is It Better To Bake Or Fry Meatballs?

All About Fridge-N-Freezer Baking Soda

Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda is a product from Arm Hammer, one of the leading brands of baking soda. The brand is famously known for its Arm Hammer Baking Soda.

But unlike the Arm Hammer Baking Soda, Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda doesn’t have “100% sodium bicarbonate” in its ingredients label. 

Its box packaging has double-sided vents to make contact with air and absorb the odd scents inside the fridge or freezer. 

But you can also put fridge baking soda inside the fridge in a closed box with punched holes.

Where Should You Use Fridge-N-Freezer Baking Soda? 

The Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda is intended as a deodorizer for your freezers and fridges. It is also made of sodium bicarbonate, a cleaning agent like a regular baking soda. 

But unlike regular baking soda, Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda is not a multi-purpose product that can be used in cooking.

So, why is fridge baking soda inappropriate to use in cooking food? You can’t use it in food because it’s not 100% made of sodium bicarbonate and might contain harmful components.

Read: How To Neutralize Vinegar Without Baking Soda?

Why Should You Not Use It For Baking? 

Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda is a baking soda, but unlike regular baking soda, it is not designed as a leavening for baked goods or cooking recipes.

Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda’s sodium bicarbonate has a different ratio. It might contain other ingredients that might be harmful to your body.

Also, after using baking powder as a deodorizer inside the freezer, you can’t use this fridge baking soda for cooking or in any food.

A used box of fridge baking soda is unsafe as it has already absorbed the odd smells.

Read: Which Side Of Parchment Paper Goes Up?

Fridge-N-Freezer Baking Soda Vs Regular Baking Soda 

Purpose

Regular baking soda is made of sodium bicarbonate, used mainly for cooking, baking purposes, or even cleaning—a multi-purpose baking soda.

You can use it to tenderize meat, increase the chicken’s pH level, leaven the cookies, soften the beans, and even create a fluffy texture when added to mashed potatoes.

On the other hand, Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda is designed to absorb odor and deodorize your fridges and freezers, not for cooking.

Ingredients

According to its website, the Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda is made of sodium bicarbonate. But it is not specified if its hundred percent sodium bicarbonate or with other chemicals.

Unlike fridge baking soda, regular baking soda is made with one ingredient—pure food-grade sodium bicarbonate. 

It is a base that produces carbon dioxide gas when it comes into contact with an acidic ingredient or a liquid like tartaric acid, lemon juice, or vinegar. 

“The arts are not frosting but baking soda.”

– Michael S. Gazzaniga, Psychologist

Did you know? You can replace baking soda with baking powder or self-rising flour because they are both leavening agents.

Odor

The Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda and regular baking soda are both odorless. Since both have the same substance and are made with sodium bicarbonate, white powder has no smell.

However, the fridge baking soda could carry a distinct bad odor when it sits for longer periods inside the fridge or freezer. 

Effect on Health

Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda is mainly used to make your fridge odor-free and keep your food fresh inside for a time.

Unlike regular baking soda, you can’t cook or consume fridge baking soda and use it for cooking purposes because of its other chemical component that might negatively affect your health.

The other chemical component in its sodium granules might upset the stomach or cause other health issues when used in baked goods.

Can You Use Fridge-N-Freezer Baking Soda For Cleaning? 

Yes, just like a regular baking soda, Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda can also be used as a cleaning substance. It is also made with sodium bicarbonate [2], which is a cleaning agent.

Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda is designed as a cleaning tool that absorbs the odor inside your fridge or freezer. It deodorizes and changes bad odors into a neutral odor-free state.

But it can also be used as an effective cleaning powder to eliminate dirt in your kitchenware or home appliances.

FAQs

Can you consume baking soda that’s been in the fridge?

No, you can’t consume the baking soda in the fridge. The baking soda from the fridge might absorb all the good and stingy smell, impacting the quality of the baking soda.

What do you do with Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda after refrigerating?

You can use Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda for cleaning purposes after refrigerating. However, if you’re Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda sat in your freezer or fridge for a long time, throw it away.

In Summary 

Unfortunately, you can’t use the Fridge-n-Freezer baking soda for baking. Fridge baking soda is designed as a deodorizer inside your fridge and freezer.

It doesn’t have 100% sodium bicarbonate as a normal baking soda has. So, it could have other elements or chemical components unsuitable for consumption.

But you can use it as a cleaning substance or use it as an odor-neutralizer. Remember, you should always buy two boxes: one for your fridge and one for your freezer.

References:

1. https://news.ncsu.edu/2014/05/baking-soda-powder/ 
2. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Sodium-bicarbonate