Sodium bicarbonate vs soda ash. what is difference?
 

so what is the difference between sodium bicarbonate and soda ash? Can socium bicarbonate be converted to soda ash by heating? if so what temp and for how long? thanks

Spread even on baking sheet and cook at 300 degrees for 1 hour. Also, Randy said that you can NOT overheat or cook to long. This process will drive off Co2 from the powder. GL

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. NaHCO3.

Washing soda = soda ash = sodium carbonate = baked baking soda = Na2CO3. :)

ok, should i spread it thinly or can i do a bulk cook?

Spreading it out in less than a 1" layer seems to work better. I prefer to cook it at 400 degrees for an hour. You can't overcook it.

I agree with 400 degrees for one hour, but I always use a glass pan instead. My fear of picking up some metal from the baking sheet. I don't know if that would occur but better safe than sorry.

like a turkey, a thick layer will take a long time to heat up inside, but should still work if you wait long enough. :)

As soon as it cools a little, immediately store it in an air-tight container (big mason jar, mayo jar pickle jar, etc..),-glass container if possible so it doesn't absorb any moisture/impurities from the air or the jar (don't use plastic or metal containers if possible) - Baking Soda is probably the worlds greatest "odor eater" and this is why - it will absorb anything it comes in contact with, so it's important to store it air-tight in a totally inert container that can be cleaned to the level of sterility (like glass).