24 hours is a extra long lime soak to begin with, 12 hours is the norm. So the longer in the lime they soak the harder the slices end up. You may well end up with pickle chips that shatter into pieces when bitten into.

So your best compromise option is to do all the rinses and cold water soaks tonight. Get them out of the lime. Have no idea what recipe you are using or what is involved in the "2nd day process" but do get them out of the lime and rinsed at least once. Let them soak in the fresh cold water in the fridge over night and then rinse again a couple of times tomorrow and finish them tomorrow.

Have you made limed pickles before? If so I assume you know the hazards of working with pickling lime and why use of it has declined sharply in favor of other methods?

Better planning next time, yeah? ;-)

Dave

Thanks Dave, I will do just what you have suggested. I appreciate the help. I have made these several times, but no I did not know of the hazards until tonight when I did a search to see if I could find a solution before putting out the APB!!! If I understand, there could be an issue with the preserving process if they are not rinsed thoroughly, is that correct? Thanks so much for your help, I have read many, many of your helpful posts through the years and your knowledge and willingness to share is appreciated.

The need to rinse thoroughly is part of it - multiple rinses needed - and unfortunately many of the older recipes don't make note of that. " Excess lime absorbed by the cucumbers must be removed to make safe pickles. To remove excess lime, drain the lime-water solution, rinse, and then resoak the cucumbers in fresh water for 1 hour. Repeat the rinsing and soaking steps two more times" - at least.

But the primary concern is the "avoid inhalation" and possibility of eye or skin burns from what is a highly caustic substance. Something to take great care with.

Dave

PS: and thanks for your kind words. :)

Sally, I'm glad you got an answer, it's basically the same answer I gave you over on Cooking, but I didn't sit down until now, I've been making pickles!

Annie