Quick question about making D-23.

[dcy]

I think this will be a quick question... I'm watching the step-by-step tutorial from Pictorial Planet for making D-23. The steps are:

1. Add a tiny pinch of sodium sulfite to the water and mix well. This consumers all the oxygen in the water so it won't oxidize the Metol.
2. Add all the Metol.
3. Add the rest of the sodium sulfite.

My question is: Couldn't he just put in all the sodium sulfate sulfite first? [fixed]

1. Add the sodium sulfite.
2. Add the Metol.

Why bother with the "pinch"?

 

[koraks]

sodium sulfate

Sulfite, not sulfate!

Why bother with the "pinch"?

You may find the metol dissolves with more ease before the bulk of the sulfite is added to the water. I think that's the reason.

 

[dcy]

You may find the metol dissolves with more ease before the bulk of the sulfite is added to the water. I think that's the reason.

Thanks!

I was just coming to update my post... I just saw a different video where he says exactly what you just said.

 

[koraks]

Well, always good to get confirmation! Happy mixing!

 

[retina_restoration]

I think this will be a quick question... I'm watching the step-by-step tutorial from Pictorial Planet for making D-23. The steps are:

1. Add a tiny pinch of sodium sulfite to the water and mix well. This consumers all the oxygen in the water so it won't oxidize the Metol.
2. Add all the Metol.
3. Add the rest of the sodium sulfite.

My question is: Couldn't he just put in all the sodium sulfate sulfite first? [fixed]

1. Add the sodium sulfite.
2. Add the Metol.

Why bother with the "pinch"?

Follow the instructions precisely - there’s a reason for it. The pinch of sulfite scavenges oxygen from the water before adding the Metol, which avoids premature oxidation of the Metol (IE: optimizes shelf life). You wouldn’t add all of the sulfite first because that would make it difficult to dissolve the Metol.

 

[pentaxuser]

Thanks!

I was just coming to update my post... I just saw a different video where he says exactly what you just said.

I had thought he had given reasons in the first video but it's been a while since I watched it so maybe not. I have no connection with the person but I have found most of his videos worth watching as I said in a reply to another person

pentaxuser