Plastic Tank for E6?

[Penceler]

There seems to be a lot of different opinions on this. Everything I read states metal only. Every picture I see (Jobo/Nova) is in a plastic tank?

I was planning on using a Paterson tank dedicated to each type of chemistry (E6, C41, etc) and washing well. Any thoughts?

Just did a test run with my $30 crockpot (slow cooker) approach. I was able to hold +/- .5 f for 20 minutes without much fuss. On to Tetenal tomorrow.

Will let you know how it works. BTW - I have both metal and plastic tanks but I'm just more comfortable with the plastic reels. Anyone else miss the "old style" Patterson tank?

John

 

[jslash6]

CROCKPOT! why didn't i think of that....

i use metal cans and reels. they're trickier to load, but they conduct heat better.

 

[Penceler]

Whatever Works

Whatever Works

I was sitting in traffic outside of Baltimore waiting for Mr. Obama to leave town when it hit me.

I've found that on the warm setting the bath is maintained at 104 f. I just let the whole thing sit for an hour and then agitate either in the pot or on the counter to cool slightly.

Not sure how I'll convince my wife to part with the slow cooker for the greater glory. Might be a trip to Sears tomorrow (I'll even give her the new one!).

Can I just throw the chemicals and film in and let the whole thing cook for an hour?

John

 

[StuartR]

The type of plastic that Jobo uses is more chemical resistant than most plastics -- or at least they claim. This may be why Jobo tanks will work for E6, but in general metal is better. But lots of people do E6 in Jobos without an issue, so I would say you are fine with plastic, as long as it is designed to handle chemicals.

 

[valdas]

I always used plastic Jobo tanks for E6 and never had any issues.

 

[sevo]

Modern plastics tanks are perfectly suitable - as evident by the fact that none of the modern small processors does allow for anything else. Just don't use an ancient Agfa bakelite tank...

The better heat conductivity of stainless steel works either way, so it does not make a difference. I suppose that the preference for stainless steel in old amateur literature is mainly due to low grade plastics tanks then still being around, amplified by a misunderstanding of the original Kodak specs, which stressed that the old V2 stainless steel lab tanks used in black and white pro machinery have to be replaced with V4A (or better) steel, titanium or vinyl/PE (sic!) tanks.

Sevo

 

[Penceler]

E-6 Tanks

E-6 Tanks

Thanks for the replies.

<heat conductivity of stainless steel works either way>

Yes, I was thinking that. clearly it can be as much disadvantage as advantage.

Again, thanks for all the comments.

John