Does powder developer have an expiration date?

[froyd]

I'm getting back to home development after a long hiatus. I have three packs of D-76 from circa 2002. I know in powder form these things are pretty stable, but is 12 years too long? If it makes a difference, the pouches are still factory sealed.

And while I'm at it... I have also a pouch of Dektol from the same era. I don't think I'll be dusting off the enlarger anytime soon, but who knows. Can I still use the powder to brew up a batch of paper developer?

And finally, I have a bottle of Ilford liquid rapid fixer. It's nearly full but it was opened back at the beginning of the century. Toss it? There seem to be a lot of crystals that have deposited to the bottom.

 

[Mark C]

The powder chemicals seem to hold up nearly forever, but the foil pouches appear not to protect them nearly as well as the old cans did. I regularly use developers from the 60's and never see an issue unless the can is badly rusted, but see a much higher failure rate on pouches.

You should see significant discoloration of the powder if it is going bad. Certainly with Dektol, and I would assume with D76. I would tolerate a bit of discoloration with paper developer, but almost none with film developer.

If D76 is what you want to use, I'd mix one and see how it looks, then do a test on a short roll. I've moved to Xtol for most things so would just buy that fresh. If you are doing low volume, HC110 is hard to beat, but only seems available in a larger size now. I did still found a decent price on that a few months ago.

 

[Colin Corneau]

Discolouration of powder is a sure sign. But the advice to do a test roll is about the best that can be given - you just don't know til you know.

For liquid developers, HC-110 lasts a long time and Rodinal (or Blazinol has it's licensed as here in Canada) is hard to beat -- even when opened and used, that stuff just lasts FOREVER, it seems. Even when it turns dark rust coloured, it's good to go. Amazing stuff.

 

[Sparrow]

I've used some very old id11 I found at the back of the cupboard .. but I wouldn't have used it on anything important first

 

[sevo]

I've used D76 cans from the same crate for more than twenty years - but that was the canned powder variety. Bags may decompose much earlier, and without visible rust or punctures...

 

[Bill Clark]

I surmise that air getting into powder, bag or can, takes the life out of it. Oxidation. The bags I have bought from Freestyle, the private label products have, I believe, aluminum foil sandwiched between layers of plastic. So far no issues.

In the olden days the cans were pretty good but every once in a while I would open one up, usually developer, that the powder had turned brown. Maybe it was the beer opener (church key) I used to get the stuff out to mix! For me, I thought the seam that was soldered started to leak.

Haven't noticed an expiration date other than me!

 

[jbrianfoto]

Kodak changed the bags for their powered chemicals about 10 years ago. The old style is paper on the outside and is layered with foil and plastic - stay away from that kind if it is old (I've had a lot of bad bags of Dektol this vintage). The newer bags are a single layer plastic bag, newer looking font and graphics and they do a better job of protecting the chemicals. The powder should come out smooth and nearly white. If it is brown at all it's oxidized and useless.

 

[froyd]

Kodak changed the bags for their powered chemicals about 10 years ago. The old style is paper on the outside and is layered with foil and plastic - stay away from that kind if it is old (I've had a lot of bad bags of Dektol this vintage). The newer bags are a single layer plastic bag, newer looking font and graphics and they do a better job of protecting the chemicals. The powder should come out smooth and nearly white. If it is brown at all it's oxidized and useless.

Thanks. Paper and foil is what I have. I'll proceed with caution!

 

[x-ray]

Kodak changed the bags for their powered chemicals about 10 years ago. The old style is paper on the outside and is layered with foil and plastic - stay away from that kind if it is old (I've had a lot of bad bags of Dektol this vintage). The newer bags are a single layer plastic bag, newer looking font and graphics and they do a better job of protecting the chemicals. The powder should come out smooth and nearly white. If it is brown at all it's oxidized and useless.

I was given a several paper/plastic liner bags of various developers and haven't found one that was good. As mentioned cans are generally no problem but the old style bags are.

 

[mwoenv]

I use Kodak D76 and Dektol. The current yellow bags have an expiration date printed on them and it's usually 2-3 years from when I buy it. For $6 to make a gallon of D76 or Dektol stock solutions, why take a chance using old chemicals? It's a trivial cost compared to your film, camera, driving somewhere to shoot, and print paper.

 

[froyd]

I use Kodak D76 and Dektol. The current yellow bags have an expiration date printed on them and it's usually 2-3 years from when I buy it. For $6 to make a gallon of D76 or Dektol stock solutions, why take a chance using old chemicals? It's a trivial cost compared to your film, camera, driving somewhere to shoot, and print paper.

Definitely not doing it for saving money!