How to Grow Potassium Bitartrate Crystals

Dissolve 6 grams of potassium bitartrate into 100 ml of distilled water at 100 degrees Celsius. The solubility of potassium bitartrate is only 0.5 grams in 100 ml of water at room temperature, so the temperature is elevated to achieve a solution that contains more potassium bitartrate in solution. The elevated temperature of the solution becomes a supersaturated solution as the temperature drops and the potassium bitartrate will begin to drop out of solution as crystals.

Pour the solution into a small bottle and cap securely. The bottle will provide a growing vessel for the crystals.

Fill a Thermos bottle with boiling water to provide an environment for the bottle to cool at a much slower rate than sitting at room temperature.

Tie a string around the neck of the bottle and slowly lower the bottle down into the Thermos. Drape the string over the lip of the Thermos and lightly screw the Thermos lid into the top. The pressure against the string will hold it in place.

Allow the Thermos to cool over the next 2 to 3 days. As the temperature slowly drops back to normal, the crystals will continue to grow in the bottle.

Take hold of the string hanging down the side of the Thermos and remove the lid. Slowly withdraw the bottle from the inside of the Thermos and observe the crystals of potassium bitartrate that have grown within the bottle.