Xtol, use some of the powder now, more later, ok?

If I buy the Xtol powder bag that makes 5-liters and use only partial

amount to make, say, one-liter, will the powder store ok? I do plan

to use it within a month or two just want to see if there's no issues

I'm not thinking of by not using the whole pouch to make 5-liters at

once. Thanks.

typically NOT a good idea to split it up...

 

The "correct" way to do it would be to mix the entire bag, then store the prepared 5 liters in multiple glass jars that are tightly sealed.

So, perhaps the danger is the powder is not mixed completely and I may end up with a badly mixed batch that way? That's what I assume might be the issue anyway. If stored in those 4 jars (i'd use one liter the first time I mixed it) how long can those last and be ok?

I found Xtol to really be a pain to use at times. I tried it numerous times using Agfapan 100 in 8x10 sheet form. The shelf life, once it is mixed, is really limited, based on humidity, temp, etc. What I found is that you can never tell when it has gone bad, and it can go bad in a hurry, based on the conditions I stated above. However, there are guys on here that swear by this stuff. It really produces excellent results, but I quickly went back to Rodinal or D76. I used it in tray processing for large format, processing in 35mm Patterson tanks, and even Nikkor 120 tanks. However, I do not know about only mixing a little at a time. You would think that it would be ok, but my limited experience with it is you never know. Hope this helps, Rick

If you can find the accordion type bottles from Falcon, Xtol(MX1640) will last for one year.

If you have it in a jug without the ability to remove air, 6 months max. Stored in temps

above 75F will reduce shelf life. You do need to mix the entire powdered mixture.

Dear Richard,

 

I use Xtol almost exculsively and I really can't think of any reason not to mix the entire 5L package, particularly if you are going to use it up within the month. I split my 5L between 250ml and 500ml bottles filled to the brim. Using this method I have kept Xtol for well over 6 months (Although that was many years ago when I first tried it. Now it goes much more quickly, even with the low volumes of JOBO tanks.).

 

These volumes match my tank sizes and preferred dilutions well. You may find other volumes more appropriate for your use.

while i agree that muxing part of a package may lead to strange results--. the fact is a quart used to cost 1/2 of a gallon chemical.

some one published a " spoonful" mixing comman chemicals by a spoon count. a pneetter also had a similar article.

I retyped the text and made a pdf file.

someone "gainer": also publiched a article dealing with the same thing.

I have a fax of it somewhere. as my eyes arew bad, it is hard for me to read and tranmscribe./

zone V had a method to mix ektacgrome chems with a spool

( chemical seller in boston 40+ years ago)

although I would not suggest that a pro depend on spoon-mixed and weighed chems, some of us have to take the cheaper route.

I just used some Xtol which had been mixed a YEAR ago. Still worked fine. Fill the container all the way to the top when you store it. I use those collapsible containers when I am using Xtol, so I can get the air out when I don't need it.

 

Just mix up the whole batch and store it properly.

You'd need a pretty accurate scale to successfully divide the small packet.

 

(XTOL is two packets of powder, not one)

 

I seem to remember trouble accurately filling the small package being partly responsible

for the problems with--and death of--the 1L kits.

 

Even if you got that right you'd have to find a safe way of storing the powders. You'd

probably want a dessicant, but how do you know if the dessicant itself is going to cause

trouble?

Richard:

 

I would recommend against splitting the powder.

 

I use Xtol almost exclusively as 1:3 dilution in a L tank. So I bought a bunch of 250 ml bottles. I mix up 5 L and then dole it out into each bottle. Ends up filling 19 of them. To fill each to the top requires 260 ml of Xtol. (So I'm really running Xtol at 1:2.8. Shh. Please don't tell Kodak. :)

 

I top each one off and screw on the lid. The lid will actually displace a little liquid. That's the best I can do to minimize oxygen in the bottles.

 

Out of curiosity, I saved a bottle from a batch for a year before using it. Still fine. The negs had slightly less constrast than normal, but completely printable.

 

 

Eric