Low Hydrogen Electrodes

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I have read that low hydrogen electrodes (E7018) rapidly absorb moisture out of the atmosphere, rendering them unuseable fairly quickly. My question is how quick is quick, in a fairly dry climate, what are the symptoms of contaminated electrodes, and do the plastic electrode containers which seal with an o ring help in preventing contamination? I guess that would be three questions. Thank you for any input.
Reply:It is generally recommended that 7018's be supplied to weldors twice a shift in an 8 hr shift. That would indicate 4 hours???? If you are doing just tinkering, repair and general playing around, just keep them in the o-ring tubes and just get out what you need. Those recommendations are for critical work and tested applications. If your rods are too wet, you'll notice lots of porosity in the welds ( if they were done right to begin with) and the flux will feel different and flake off easily. There are more symptoms, but these are the common ones.Don
Reply:Unless you are doing pipe work or structural work,6013 rods will work for you.and they are a lot easier to store.they last forever in the plastic rod holders.they run on ac or even better on dcep.7018s should be kept in a rod oven at 250to300 degrees and just take enough rods out to last a few hours.i see a lot of contractors have the little 10to15 lb portable heaters. i am as guilty as anybody for using 7018s that have been left out,but i never weld up pipe without using properly stored rods.if i am fabbing up some hangers or different things that are 1 or 2 pass welds then i will use some rods that have been out of the heater for a while.its not correct procedure but its not life or death either.