storage of chemicals in a wine bottle with Vacu Vin stopper

[ymc226]

Would there be any issues with storing film or print developers in empty wine bottles using the Vacu Vin http://www.vacuvin.com/Vacuum_Wine_Saver_215.htmlrubber stopper to remove air from the system?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Great idea! Just make sure the bottles are really clean to start with and that the stoppers are never used for wine.

Steve

 

[keithwms]

Yes, Lawrence, I have done this and it works. Just be sure to clean out the bottle very well!

 

[Bruce Watson]

I've been doing this for about five years now. Best photo chemical storage system I've used without question.

 

[RH Designs]

Yep, been doing it for years without problems. My local grocer sells his house wine in 1 litre bottles which are perfect. Just don't mix up the stoppers with the ones you use for wine!

 

[RobertV]

The only disadvantage is that you need a funel. In that way the Jobo HD-PE and wide neck bottles are easier in practical use.
For critical applications (oxidation) however I use the Vacu Vin stopper for many many years.

 

[mcfactor]

I do this too and it works great

 

[srs5694]

I do something similar, but I use a Pump-N-Seal, which is designed to use relatively wide-mouth jars rather than wine bottles. I generally use Snapple and similar drink bottles in sizes ranging from about 300ml to 1l. I noticed a marked reduction in the rate at which developers go dark during storage after I began using this system. At a guess, I'd say it roughly doubles the useful life of developers.

One caveat with the Pump-N-Seal, which may not apply to the VacuVin: The caps eventually stop sealing well, I believe because the rubber becomes brittle. I therefore need to replace the caps periodically. This isn't a big deal, but it does add to the consumable cost -- I've got to go buy another bottle of Snapple (or whatever) and use one of the tabs that came with the Pump-N-Seal.