Brown rodinal?

[George Nova Scotia]

What about brown Rodinal with crystals in it? I have a bottle about a third full with an unknown history that "rattles" like there are crystals in it. Anyone ever come across this? Should I just toss (dispose of properly) it?

[rich815]

I'm pretty sure there's a pun standing around in there somewhere.

FWIW, I've never used Rodinal (or R09, for that matter) that wasn't brown. Isn't it supposed to be brown?

Usually a sort of medium amber at first before opening.

[rich815]

What about brown Rodinal with crystals in it? I have a bottle about a third full with an unknown history that "rattles" like there are crystals in it. Anyone ever come across this? Should I just toss (dispose of properly) it?

I've used plenty with crystals as it aged. Some people decant them. I'm just careful not to pour them out though I may have occasionally.

[sly]

My last bottle of Rodinal had a bunch of crystals in the bottom. I just continued to use it, until the concentrate was all gone. The quality seemed consistent.

[Leigh B]

You'll occasionally get crystal formation. It doesn't matter.

The concentrate supposedly has a saturated solution of sodium hydroxide, which will precipitate crystals under some circumstances.
In fact, for a saturated solution to exist, there must always be some crystals present, although they might be very small.

I usually shake it to dissolve any that will do so, then go ahead and use it. It always performs as expected.

- Leigh

[George Nova Scotia]

Thanks guys, good to know about the crystals. I'll have to give it a try, only used Rodinal once from the full bottle. I haven't try printing the negs - they were just test rolls to see if the cameras I picked up were working. Much easier than measuring HC110 from concentrate.

[piu58]

Rodinal contains KOH, caustic potash. With air contact this changes partially into K2CO3, potassium carbonate , which is less soluble and forms crystals.

[nicholai]

My R09 was yellowish at first, turned brown over a few nights.