pyrocat hd with metol - order of mixing

[snallan]

If you are going to dissolve the metol first, I would add a pinch of the sodium bisulphite to the water first, just to inhibit oxidation of the metol whilst dissolving it.

Oooops!! I meant metabisulphite, though the two can often be used interchangeably!

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

If you are going to dissolve the metol first, I would add a pinch of the sodium bisulphite to the water first, just to inhibit oxidation of the metol whilst dissolving it.

I have never tried making the metol version of pyrocat HD. So cannot comment on whether the pyrocatechin already being dissolved, would make it easier to dissolve the metol, if added in the same order as for the phenidone.

With Pyrocat M-C, do not use either sulphite or metabisulfite before the Metol.

After you react the Metol and ascorbic acid with a small amount of TEA (Triethanolamine) and water, everything goes into solution quite easily.

 

[snallan]

With Pyrocat M-C, do not use either sulphite or metabisulfite before the Metol.

After you react the Metol and ascorbic acid with a small amount of TEA (Triethanolamine) and water, everything goes into solution quite easily.

Indeed, but el wacho was asking specifically about pyrocat HD.

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Indeed, but el wacho was asking specifically about pyrocat HD.

True, but if I was mixing Metol into the recipe instead of phenidone, I would mix Pyrocat -MC (which replaces the Phenidone with Metol and eliminates the sulfites).

Alternatively, I would use Pat Gainer's procedure of reacting the Metol with Triethanolamine and water to produce a highly water soluble and stable Metol Stock solution.