preheating arc sticks?

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I have 6013 sticks that I have stored for about one month in my unheated shop (runs about 55 degrees F, slab floor with vapor barrier, no mold or tool rust problems in shop). My question is how long and at what temperature should I preheat the rods at to get them weld ready?
Reply:well... In my shop in schoolall our welding rods are just sitting in these tin cans... and as far as i know theyve been there for a couple years.. and those are the ones we use..we never have problems with em
Reply:Blacksheep's got it right. 6010, 6011, 6013 aren't low-hydrogen rods so theyaren't as sensitive to moisture content. Sure, you don't want to be welding with truely wet rods but there isn't much practicality in trying to keep them less than relative humidity. For instance in the southeast in the summer----90 degrees and 90 percent humidity. 7018 is the one you want to read up on. For 7018 it isn't so much an issue of drying them out as it is of keeping them dry to start with. Storage issues.
Reply:Thanks for clearing this issue up for me guys.
Reply:Hi Dwaldron its always a good idea to get the techical data sheet(s) from the manufacturer when you purchase the rods . This will give you the drying times especially for 7018 lo hi rods .
Reply:having been in construction for awhile,  navy seabee, steel erection, and general fab I've seen a lot to rods.  basically your rods minus the 7018 do need to be dry of water, but not so much water vapor.  Watch for cracks in the flux if youre worried.  This is a sign of moisture greater than permitted.  Most rods have reheating instructions for use in the oven.  500 degrees for 4 hrs or whatever.  But usually these rods can take a lot of abuse.  some say stick the rod for a few extra seconds to dry it out.  I dont use rods that have cracks myself.   Doesnt seem worth it.   But no crack, not too much moisture.  also, if there is chunks of flux missing, toss it.   Some say these rods do need a tiny bit of moisture, so ovens not good for them.  7018 is low hydrogen, and a whole diffrent animal.    good luckchris
Reply:I work at a power generation plant and have been there for 18 years, one of the things I do is weld, we have a rod heater for the 7018 8018,9018 etc when they are opened up. The inspector wonts to see a rod heater when he comes by to check your work. I don't believe there is a 6013 on plant sight.  I have seen a long time my father use a old ice box and a light bulb in it to keep the moisture out of his rods, flux etc.   I prefer to use 7018 on most things and even stainless steel on some of my home projects, like my car port that has 2 inch stainless steel soot blowers lances for posts in it. Probably one of the slickest carports around. good luck JimK