[Wort-H.O.G.]

I used 2/3 cup baking soda in 10 cups water. That's a lot, but it definitely worked.
 
I made some bagels yesterday, boiled with 2 Tbsp baking soda in 10 cups water and definitely did not get the same browning effect.

so with baking soda, your dropping pretzels into boiling water for how long?

[theDarkSide]

30 seconds I believe...my recipe is at home.

Here's some I made in September with Sam Adams Oktoberfest.

[Wort-H.O.G.]

30 seconds I believe...my recipe is at home.

Here's some I made in September with Sam Adams Oktoberfest.

cool. yeah the link in this thread has recipe that says warm water for 10 seconds, but thats with baked baking soda.  http://hilahcooking.com/soft-pretzel-recipe/

[Jimmy K]

I boiled for 30 seconds and 1 minute (2 batches). Didn't notice a difference with the longer boil. There are lots of variations out there. Some just dip in cold solution for a few seconds.

[Slowbrew]

the recipe I've used said to boil the water with the baking soda.  Soak on each side for 30 seconds.  Alton Brown also has you apply an egg yolk wash that will give you a dark crust anyway so you might need to dip them at all.

Using lye you only need warm water and 30 seconds total (flip around 15 seconds).

Paul

[Wort-H.O.G.]

anybody think about if you could use calcium hydroxide (lime) vs. lye..similar high alkalinity?

not a chemist, just curious.

[Wort-H.O.G.]

Thanks for the recipe and tips!

[HoosierBrew]

Very nice.

[Jimmy K]

Nice!

[klickitat jim]

30 seconds I believe...my recipe is at home.

Here's some I made in September with Sam Adams Oktoberfest.

Sweet! The composition of the photo is stellar too. The stack of bills in the background makes it feel so real-life

[HoosierBrew]

 The stack of bills in the background makes it feel so real-life

Now that's pretty funny.

[Wort-H.O.G.]

Very nice.

used baking soda bath, so didn't get the tan i was looking for. i ordered some lye and making the next batch that way- see how that works.

[Jimmy K]

used baking soda bath, so didn't get the tan i was looking for. i ordered some lye and making the next batch that way- see how that works.

How much baking soda? I used baking soda and got a lot more browning, but I used a LOT of baking soda. Also, baking on the highest rack position in your oven will help with browning. Heat radiates off the roof of the oven.

[Wort-H.O.G.]

i think mine are pretty similar to your pretzel knots pic in terms of browning. i used the 1/3 cup to 6 cups of water.

interested to see if the lye really gets that darker brown skin.

[Jimmy K]

i think mine are pretty similar to your pretzel knots pic in terms of browning. i used the 1/3 cup to 6 cups of water.

interested to see if the lye really gets that darker brown skin.

Oops, you are correct. I was looking at DarkSide's pick, not yours.