I recently acquired some old darkroom chemicals, and among it was a box of Formulary 130 developer. The glycin is brown with dark spots visible in the bag. Is it still usable, or should I toss it?
Craig, i'd say it's done. When I receive 130 from the Formulary, I immediately remove the glycin from the box and put it in my film fridge. I've never had it go bad when refrigerated.
Craig, with the current shipping costs, (or convenience when I was picking up directly from the Formulary), I always bought several boxes of 130 and I wanted to avoid it going bad.
I wouldn't use it. Fresh Glycin is a white(ish) powder. I keep mine in the freezer and after several years it's still fresh looking and works when I mix up some 130.
That batch has gone completely bad. Fresh glycin is either off-white or light tan. Extra jars of fresh powder can be kept good by freezing. As it ages it turns a light mocha brown; but somewhere in the deep chocolate zone it gets questionable.
I only mix enough 130 developer for a single day's session. An open jar of fresh glycin powder lasts at least six months before seriously oxidizing.