Storage for photography paper

[alapin]

I am in the process of setting up a new darkroom. The locate is located on the back porch, which has been enclosed and now houses the hot water heater, washer and dryer. No problem with hot water but dryer is next to where I will need to store paper. I am afraid that the heat from dryer may be to much . I am thinking about a wine cooler to store the paper in. Would be able to hold temp between 40 and 50 degrees. Do you think this will work? Do you think that the humidity from storing in these temps will cause problems?

Thanks for looking and taking the time to answer.

Alapin

 

[Mike Wilde]

longevity thoughts

Moisture is likely not a friend to longevity. It will cause curl problems in the long run, and mold if it is warm for long enough. So cool and dry is better, cool and moist is ok. Keep the paper sealed in the plastic bag it comes in - tape it shut after taking out a working supply of paper if it is a big box to start with. Putting a plastic bag over the cardbord box and then sealing the outer bag will keep the box paper from swelling and softening with time as it absorbs mositure from frost in the freezer.

Take the paper out and let it warm up before openning the box, if it has been cool stored.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

As near as I can tell oxygen (or something else in the Cleveland air...) kills paper faster than heat or age. If I keep it wrapped up tight in the inner black bag, its cardboard box and an outer zip-lock bag it lasts for years. A small refrigerator will help, I am sure - it can halve the heat effects of aging with every 10C of cooling.

The drier shouldn't heat the surrounding air too much - it draws in air, heats it and then sends it out the vent. The water heater will probably contribute more to the general heat. If the water heater is gas then you may have to shield the light from the burner.

 

[alapin]

Thanks for the input.
I agree that the water heater may need to be shielded. I will make sure to seal the the plastic bag and put another bag over the box.