Storing ilfochrome chemicals

[darragh]

Hi
Can mixed ilfochrome be stored in accordian styled chemical bottles?
Thanks
Darragh

 

[Lopaka]

I don't know - I have never stored working solution more than 12 hours. I mix what I need for a day's work.

Bob

 

[darragh]

How long can a working solution be stored for?
Also does the P-30/P-30P go stale if it is left unopened?
Thanks
Darragh

 

[Renato Tonelli]

No - The accordion-style containers are not as good as purported to be. I have had problems with them with basic B&W chemistry. The plastic is not high grade and is porous enough so that the chemistry degrades over short periods of time.

Ilfochrome chemistry does go bad, especially the developer. I have three unopened P3.5 kits that are no longer usable. I have read (maybe an old APUG post) that they have a shelf life of 2 years.

I have resorted to 'schedule' my Ilfochrome printing. I stock up on materials and then set aside several days where I print nothing but Ilfochrome until my chemistry is finished. Unfortunately this is not always possible - everyday life tends to get in the way...

Is it my imagination or was the first Cibachrome chemistry available in powder packets?

 

[Erik L]

The concentrate is good for 2 years, the working solution in a full stoppered bottle is good for 2 months and the working solution in a 1/2 full stoppered bottle is good for a month. This is from the literature that comes with the P30 2 liter kits.
regards
Erik

 

[nickandre]

The accordion bottles are terrible. Regular plastic bottles topped off are far superior. The ones you want are the glass ones topped off with nitrogen or with chemistry. No leakage.

 

[davetravis]

The problem I had with the accordian bottles was keeping them compressed as the content decreased.
Once I solved that, the chems lasted as long as they should.

 

[fotch]

The accordion bottles are terrible. Regular plastic bottles topped off are far superior. The ones you want are the glass ones topped off with nitrogen or with chemistry. No leakage.

I used accordion bottles for years and didn't seem to have any problems. Then again, I don't recall ever going more than 2 months with developer either.

I now think that glass is class (which is what I started with) and use a larger quantity of smaller bottles filled to the brim or top off with Nitrogen gas, which I don't have yet.

I am just getting round to setting up my darkroom again and from what others have stated, believe that 6 months storage is fine, maybe longer.