Kodak Xtol expired in 2017 - did anyone try?

[fritz-emil]

I understand that there is a risk but I haven't found anything definitive. Also, I am encouraged because my open bottle of HC-110 that expired in 2017 still works great.

So here it is: I have the A+B Xtol powder bags that expired in 2017. Never opened and stored in a cool-ish/dry basement. Powder doesn't seem sticky or crystalized, but then again - I haven't opened the bags yet.

Did anyone here actually try to use such grossly expired Xtol?

 

[abruzzi]

probably fine. I'd mix it up and sacrafice a test roll (this is whey god made bulk loaders, so you can roll up a tiny roll of 10 frames.)

I recently mixed up a bag that predated the Sino Promise fiasco. I don't remember if there was an expiration date on the bags, but probably. No problems in use.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

In powder form, it should be okay but...mix it up and do a clip test first just to be sure.

 

[halfaman]

Powders last a very long time while they are in the bag, much more than many liquid developers in their bottles. The bags keep away light, moisture and oxygen very efficiently from the developer, and some of potential degradation happens at a slower rate than dissolved in water.

 

[pentaxuser]

fritz-emil, yes my bags look completely sealed to me and impervious to light, damp etc so while their expiry date is not as far back as 2017( mine is 2021) I am not expecting a problem. However as Andrew says do a clip test first

pentaxuser

 

[MattKing]

Can you share the label information - product of Kodak Alaris, place of manufacture, etc.?
2017 would still be Kodak Alaris. If it was made in Germany, it would probably be okay.
There was a period of time when the photo chemical business was in complete disruption and Kodak Alaris was scrambling to switch to a US manufacturer when there were a bunch of issues, possibly relating to the integrity of new packaging.
For those reasons, a clip test and a test roll would be prudent.

 

[Ulrich Drolshagen]

Mine had been fine. I made a clip-test first. The stock solution made an exposed snippet of film blank within 30 seconds.

Ulrich

 

[retina_restoration]

Can you share the label information - product of Kodak Alaris, place of manufacture, etc.?
2017 would still be Kodak Alaris. If it was made in Germany, it would probably be okay.
There was a period of time when the photo chemical business was in complete disruption and Kodak Alaris was scrambling to switch to a US manufacturer when there were a bunch of issues, possibly relating to the integrity of new packaging.
For those reasons, a clip test and a test roll would be prudent.

I wouldn’t touch any Kodak branded chemistry made during the Sino Promise era. I had to throw out many packages of various developers from that period. Proceed with caution, I say.

 

[MattKing]

I wouldn’t touch any Kodak branded chemistry made during the Sino Promise era. I had to throw out many packages of various developers from that period. Proceed with caution, I say.

I had a bunch that was problematic that was replaced by them with product that was good. But I would confirm that it is a good idea to check any that you intend to use.
For a while, the former Eastman Kodak employees who became Kodak Alaris employees subsequently became Sino Promise employees managing the same distribution system, so for a while they were responsive to the problems.
But then COVID hit, and Sino Promise ended up being one of the casualties.

 

[pentaxuser]

I wouldn’t touch any Kodak branded chemistry made during the Sino Promise era. I had to throw out many packages of various developers from that period. Proceed with caution, I say.

Yes but as the OP possesses the Xtol packets, what has he got to lose by using the bags of powder and trying it via a clip test ? Only a little bit of his time which he loses if the stuff is shot but gains a lot in the way of developer if the packets are usable

pentaxuser

 

[fritz-emil]

Oh.. didn't receive any email that I have responses. Didn't expect all these answers.

Checking the label (sorry, no photo. Too lazy).
It says:

Made in Germany for Eastman Kodak Sarl - Geneva

Yes, I'll do some sacrifice. Gotta finally use that bulk loader that I have in the closet for 8 years.

My fear is perhaps that the developer "somehow works", but not as it should.
I have no idea what that "somehow" could be - maybe thin, or dense, blurry, bad-contrast negatives...?

 

[mshchem]

I wouldn't be too concerned. I didn't have any problems even with the suspect lots from Germany. Still shoot a few frames and give it a test. No sense in tossing 5 L.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I understand that there is a risk but I haven't found anything definitive. Also, I am encouraged because my open bottle of HC-110 that expired in 2017 still works great.

So here it is: I have the A+B Xtol powder bags that expired in 2017. Never opened and stored in a cool-ish/dry basement. Powder doesn't seem sticky or crystalized, but then again - I haven't opened the bags yet.

Did anyone here actually try to use such grossly expired Xtol?

Welcome to Photrio!

You have nothing to loose so mix up the XTOL, cut off some of a 35mm black & white film liter and develop the exposed film. If the film comes out dark and the edge markings appear, shoot a roll of film and come back to us with the results.