How long do electrodes last?

[Johnson]

I'm sure I could just ask my instructor tues, but why wait. What's the shelf life on 6011, 6013 , and 7013's? Do they just stop welding good? what happens when they get old....any way to bring em back? Thanks

[halojumper]

I'd like to know as well. I'd like to have some around for 'just in case', but I know that some rods don't have an infinite shelf life, where as my mig/tig supplies should.
(taking into consideration that where/ how you store them are important as well)

[geezer]

How long will they last in storage,,,anywhere from a week to 25 years,,depending on who does the storing and how they do it,,,,there are no BBF dates on welding rods,,,paper rods like 6010,, 6011,, should be stored at room temp for many years and still work fine,,other rods need warmer temps if the package is opened and some can be reconstsituted at higher temps ,,,,information on how to store and recondition them is available..at different web sites..

[Markcuda]

Today, I just used a 6013 I know are 15 years old, welded fine.
They are kept in a air tight container.
Moisture is bad.

[Johnson]

Cool good to know! Thanks!

[Kempy]

Shelf life by the Military today its good, tomorrow through it out. Let’s see the welder is good to day if I take it off the shelf and use it but tomorrow it is scrap. It will not work its shelf life is up. Do not use it, it will not work warranty is up. But the one I took off the shelf yesterday is still good. That’s shelf life for the Military.

[Winky]

It depends on the type of electrode and how it's stored ... if you store 7018 in a cold wet environment it wont last long ... does OK if kept dry and electrode ovens are great ... I've used five year old 6013 that was stored in my house close to a heater register and it was fine.

[Cope]

I have a 50# box of Airco 6013 and 6011 rods that I bought in 1978. They have been stored in a metal cabinet in my garage in Houston all these years. I pulled them out today to look at them, and they look like they did when I bought them. My loose rods don't look as good, but they still work fine, and they are all at least as old.

[Shield Arc]

An old trick with 6010. They will dry out in time, I grab a couple hands full lay them in the kitchen sink and run some water in the sink. Roll the rods around a bit. Take them back out to the shop and let them air dry for 2 to 3 days. Good as new!