I'm getting a small jar of solder paste to help with SMD soldering soon and heard it needs to be stored cool somehow.
I was going to put it in my fridge, but everyone says that's a bad idea. Why? Is it going to crawl out into my peanut butter when I'm not looking?
but everyone says
Well then it must be true. xkcd: Duty Calls 
Is it going to crawl out into my peanut butter when I'm not looking?
Probably - look up "evaporation" and "outgassing".
There's also the possibility that some kid (your offspring, niece/nephew, neighborhood kid wandering in) may think it is some shiny new kind of peanut butter.
It's just generally stupid to store toxic materials with food.
-j
Well then it must be true. xkcd: Duty Calls Wink
Yeah, exactly. I mean, it's not like just ANYONE can edit Wikipedia, right? :
Probably - look up "evaporation" and "outgassing".
Will that happen even if i double seal it in zipper bags and a glass tomato paste jar? It's not like I'll open it inside the fridge.
There's also the possibility that some kid (your offspring, niece/nephew, neighborhood kid wandering in) may think it is some shiny new kind of peanut butter.
I'll label it. Hope they can read. :
It's not that I don't know lead is, you know, poisonous. It's that I got this jar for $3 and a small fridge is... $20. 
The advice I read was if you have no where else then put it in a sealed container and in the fridge.
Mark it appropriately.
Because of noxious gases coming off it.
Source: Everyday practical electronics magazine.
Gordon
Fumes will permeate a ziploc bag.
I got this jar for $3
So, you're willing to take a chance on poisoning yourself to save $3?
Leave the solder paste somewhere reasonable (cool, out of direct sunlight, etc), and away from food. In a few (or several) months when it goes bad, spend another $3. Live longer.
-j
So, you're willing to take a chance on poisoning yourself to save $3?
Money is not the problem. The issue is just that spending $20 for the thing to store the $3 paste is like spending $5 for shipping a $0.10 transistor. You could say that I don't need to put it in a fridge, but I don't know how long it'll last at room temperature and another jar takes half a month to get here.
Fumes will permeate a ziploc bag.
Not too surprising, but will it go through a glass jar, too?
Sorry if I'm coming off as stubborn. I just don't want to waste money on a fridge that I don't really need or waste paste that I do need. Thanks everyone for your help!
Why? Is it going to crawl out into my peanut butter when I'm not looking?
Haha, gave me a laugh.
Well, I solder inside and when it's cold I don't open the window. I sometimes forget I have been using leaded solder then eat something without washing my hands.
I don't smoke but perhaps that will kill me faster?
Life's life. I try not to worry myself too much with little things that 'might' kill me slightly faster. Besides, with life expectancy on the rise still, who wants to live til they're >100? I think my brain will probably be a little mushy by then.
Just stick it in an airtight bag in an airtight container, if you use it reasonably regularly then the amount of fumes that can build up in the bag/box will be very very minimal and you'd probably do more harm to yourself walking through a city than eating food from that fridge.
Mowcius
Oh, also... You keep peanut butter in the fridge? :-?
Oh, also... You keep peanut butter in the fridge?
I sure don't, it tears up the bread when trying to spread it on.
Retro, plus Pb( ) is nasty!
I've had jars sat on my desk for a year with no probs, as soon as it gets tough I add a little liquid flux. Works a treat.
I've had jars sat on my desk for a year with no probs, as soon as it gets tough I add a little liquid flux. Works a treat.
You mix liquid flux into your peanut butter? Now that is nasty.
Well, I solder inside and when it's cold I don't open the window. I sometimes forget I have been using leaded solder then eat something without washing my hands.
This explains SO much.
Retro, plus Pb( Wink ) is nasty!
I've had jars sat on my desk for a year with no probs, as soon as it gets tough I add a little liquid flux. Works a treat.
Peanut butter and Flux just doesnt have the same ring to it.
Is this like some ausseie thing like vegamite?
I know most of the world can't eat Vegemite, but it has to be better than flux, doesn't it? :-/
I have a similar problem to the OP, no room and no power to run an extra fridge, regardless of the price. I could perhaps buy a sacrificial jar of Vegemite and store it next to the solder paste with the lid open, that should kill any fumes that make it through the zip lock bag.
Rob
Super glue (cyanoacrylate) is another product that lasts a lot longer if refrigerated. But I suspect it doesn't go well with peanut butter either.
as soon as it gets tough I add a little liquid flux. Works a treat.
Perhaps I should get myself some liquid flux when I get myself some solder paste.
I have to admit that seems obvious now you have said it, like cored solder, the flux evaporates presumably.
But I suspect it doesn't go well with peanut butter either.
It will stick to the roof of your mouth well tho ;D
It will stick to the roof of your mouth well tho
Well played sir.
/golf clap
why cant you just shut up and just store it at the temature it tell you to your are over complicating the whole process.
Where's the late night fun in that after debugging all evening?
These guys say to store it at 45F +/- 10F.
http://www.preceed.com/Handling/Handling_Storing.html
So up to 55F - sounds like mya basement temperature most of the time, no fridge needed.
I don't think food keeps well above 40F or so (haven't stuck a thermometer in my fridge in a while, so no idea what it's really set at).
These guys say 6 month shelf life if stored below 72F - which warmer than room temp in my house all New England late fall-winter-spring.
These guys also say 6 month shelf life if stored below 25C .
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=10&sqi=2&ved=0CFwQFjAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indium.com%2F_dynamo%2Fdownload.php%3Fdocid%3D92&rct=j&q=storing%20solder%20paste&ei=hukOTbfsDYS8lQeOn_j6Cw&usg=AFQjCNEEt1vUlkrEWffv3zu5Fj-d1pxkOw
So apparently only you folks in the south & west have to worry
So apparently only you folks in the south & west have to worry
We in the west worry about nothing, except the next BIG ONE @tm