HHG in fridge

[Steven Williams]

Just started using HHG and am very happy with the results. I have some mixed HHG in the fridge that has been there for about 4 months. This batch worked well and I put it in the fridge right away after using it. Is it still OK to use now or should I make a fresh batch? It's Behlen's HHG and I made too much. Hate to throw it away. What is a safe shelf life stored cold?

Thanks,
Steve

[Andy Birko]

Please don't take this as gospel but I've re-used many month old HHG without a problem. Pretty much so long as it doesn't have mold growing on it I'll use it.

Do a test piece and see what happens.

[Mario Proulx]

Depends on what temperature your fridge is set at; my shop fridge runs at 35(°F) and my glue is fine for about 2 weeks, after which I toss it. For critical joints, such as a bridge and top joins, I always make a fresh batch.

If you made too much, cut it up into small cubes and freeze it. It will keep for months...

[Ron Belanger]

+1 on freezing

[Steve Senseney]

Hide glue is relatively inexpensive.

[Mario Proulx]

I agree that the stuff is cheap, and whenever there's -any- doubt, it gets tossed. But for day to day use, it's awful handy to have some frozen cubes handy instead of making a fresh batch every morning and at day's end, it goes back to the fridge..

[Randy Roberts]

I just fill a bunch of 1 and 2 oz. squirt bottles when I make up HHG, and toss them in the freezer. Other than occasionally having to fish a bottle out of a glass of ice water when I grab a handful of ice cubes, it works well and there's always glue ready when I need it.

As a sporadic builder, I can't easily predict when I'll have time to work on the instruments, and so this has worked out a lot better for me than needing to anticipate when I'd need to make up glue ahead of time and getting it done.

[Simon Magennis]

I cut it up in cubes like Mario said and keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge. Not sure what the T is. I am not sure what the longest has been but probably 6-8 weeks. However, I toss it if it starts to smell bad or if if I have the slightest doubt about it when I heat it up.

[Steven Williams]

Thanks to all for your responses. I know it's relatively cheap and I still don't like to waste it but I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. The results of using HHG for me are well worth the extra effort involved in preparing and applying it.

Steve