Potassium carbonate (K2CO3) is a white salt, soluble in water (insoluble in ethanol), which forms a strongly alkaline solution. It can be made as the product of potassium hydroxide's absorbent reaction with carbon dioxide. It is deliquescent, often appearing a damp or wet solid. Potassium carbonate is used in the production of soap and glass. (Historically) For soap, glass, and china production as a mild drying agent where other drying agents, such as calcium chloride and magnesium sulfate, may be incompatible. It is not suitable for acidic compounds, but can be useful for drying an organic phase if one has a small amount of acidic impurity. It may also be used to dry some ketones, alcohols, and amines prior to distillation. to make a safer electrolyte for oxyhydrogen production than potassium hydroxide, the more commonly used electrolyte. In cuisine, it is used as an ingredient in the production of grass jelly, a food consumed in Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines. It is used to tenderize tripe. German gingerbread recipes often use potassium carbonate as a baking agent. as a buffering agent in the production of mead or wine. softening hard water. as a fire suppressant in extinguishing deep-fat fryers and various other B class-related fires in condensed aerosol fire suppression, although as the byproduct of potassium nitrate. an ingredient in welding fluxes, and in the flux coating on arc-welding rods. it is also used in gunpowder as a stable source of energy. stability in neurons to help maintain equilibrium. as an animal feed ingredient to satisfy the potassium requirements of farmed animals such as broiler breeders.