Here in the US, you can also get Kaptan #2, a coffee maker cleaner that's 100% citric acid, food grade at most supermarkets. Murph
If you are really stuck for citric acid here's what to do - Gather together the following - 1 bottle of Gin, 1 bottle of Vermouth, a Martini glass and a fresh lemon. Put a splash of Vermouth in the glass, swirl and discard the surplus, top up glass with Gin. Slice lemon in two then take off a thin slice and add to glass. Sit down in a quite place and sip from glass while contemplating the job in hand. When the glass is empty, either squeeze the remainder of the lemon and apply the juice to the brass or simply rub slices of it onto the discoloured areas of the fount and proceed as usual. Alternatively (although a poor second choice) seek out some "Jif" lemon juice - the stuff sold in squeezy plastic lemon shaped containers - and use that. If you squirt some onto a few granules of wallpaper paste this will make a paste that will stay put on vertical surfaces. Not such a cheap solution as buying citric acid granules but, as Jif (or equivalent) is often to be found in the kitchen cupboard, a convenient emergency source. Dave.
In Brazil, you can get powdered citric acid at what we call "natural products stores", wich is a store that sells mainly spices, nuts, seeds, soy products, phytotherapic products and other healthy stuff. Maybe abroad there is the same kind of store. But it's more easily found here in homeopathic pharmacys. It's sold normally without medics prescription. I think it's used here mainly for conservation purposes in food's preparation, as citric acid is a natural conservative. Rafael
>Gather together the following - 1 bottle of Gin, >1 bottle of Vermouth, a Martini glass and a >fresh lemon. How can one clean brass without the use of green olives?
Lemon flavor, unsweetened, "koolaid"! Mostly citric acid, dirt cheap. Generic "drink mix", even cheaper.
Amazon are selling 500g pack of citric acid crystals for £5.50. The web site shows a certificate of analysis which can be read if you've got good eyesight http://www.amazon.co.uk/Citric-Acid-500g-Pack/dp/B002C9909O Just ordered some.I'll post again after trying out. Regards Graham
If you Google Citric Acid, you will find many suppliers. I got a pound of non-food grade for $10 including shipping.
