Paper and chemistry together in fridge?

naaldvoerder · Jul 17, 2005

I'm thinking of buying a fridge for my darkroom. My question is wether it's safe to store chemicals and paper in the same fridge or do i need to buy two fridges?

Thanks Jaap Jan

Nick Zentena · Jul 17, 2005

Why would you want to keep chemicals in the fridge?

baronfoxx · Jul 17, 2005

Nick Zentena said:
Why would you want to keep chemicals in the fridge?

some chemical manufacturers reccomend keeping chemicals in a frig
two examples, dixactol and prescysol.

I keep chemicals and paper together with no problems

Ian Grant · Jul 17, 2005

In 30+ years of photography and running a laboratory the only chemical I've used that needed refrigeration was Lanthium Nitrate which is not used in photography.

As Photographers the only thing (along with film & paper) that would need refrigeration is silver gelatin based (liquid) emulsion.

Ian

Claire Senft · Jul 17, 2005

I do not expect there to be a problem storing these together. I would expect my biggest concern, even with a separate refrigerator would be someone...a child.. trying to take a chemical internally. I believe that freezing is even better than refrigerating. I would expect that freezing could greatly lengthen the life of a color developer although there may be problems getting everything back into solution once again after thawing. I believe the main reason for making a larger batch of chemistry is that most of the over the counter goods show a goodly sized cost reduction as the volume increases.

For most black and white developers keeping the ingredients in stock solutions so that the alkalai is seperate from the developing agent will be very helpful whether refrigerated or not.

fschifano · Jul 17, 2005

As you've probably deduced by now, there is no real good reason to refrigerate most common darkroom chemistry. Film and paper age more slowly when kept cool, so refrigerating that stuff is a wise move. The real enemy of darkroom chemistry, developers in particular, is oxygen. You'll do more good by keeping your mixed up developers in completely full bottles bottles than you will by refrigerating them.

Ole · Jul 17, 2005

There are some developing agents which seem to deteriorate regardless of storage conditions - among them is Glycin. It might help to refrigerate dry Glycin if it is to be stored for a long time.

NikoSperi · Jul 17, 2005

Ian Grant said:
As Photographers the only thing (along with film & paper) that would need refrigeration is silver gelatin based (liquid) emulsion.

Ian

What!? What about the beer/wine/vodka used to help you through the printing session? ALWAYS leave space for those... Film is cheap, but Stoli Crystal sure ain't!

naaldvoerder · Jul 17, 2005

Thanks for all the advice, just one fridge with a beercompartment....

Jaap Jan

Neal · Jul 17, 2005

Dear Jan,

So far, I have only found it advantageous to store RA-4 chemicals in the fridge. I should print more to eliminate that situation.<g>

Neal Wydra

Gerald Koch · Jul 18, 2005

It's not a good idea to store photo solutions in the fridge *unless* the manufacturer says that you can. The only product I know of that recommends doing this is Ethol T.E.C. The problem is that various components can crystallize out of solution and be very difficult to redissolve.

Paper and chemistry together in fridge?

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