keeping gelatin

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From: Judy Seigel (jseigel@panix.com)
Date: 11/13/00-01:53:27 PM Z


Dear gelatin users:

I'd made a note from discussion on the list that 2 cc of 15% thymol would
preserve (I forget how much, note buried in alleuvial tides) gum arabic. I
believe it was Sandy King who said he'd kept -- either gum arabic or
gelatin -- at room temp successfully for more than a month with addition
of thymol.

Last month I added 2 cc 15% thymol to 2 litres of (used) 3% Knox gelatin,
and left on the shelf in a closed bookcase. The smell of the thymol (of
which some had spilled into sink) preserved *me* for days, but failed
abysmally to preserve the gelatin. When I went for it last week, found a
hellacious liquid that gave new meaning to the word "rotten."

I'm wondering if I mistakenly remembered it as applying to gelatin, if I
didn't use enough -- or if anyone has any other clue.

What else could preserve gelatin? Salicylic acid ?? (Working large, a
batch of gelatin is a gallon or so, which seems a lot to throw out.)

I'll add that so far, random and definitely NOT definitive tests of
brush-on gelatin have given an inferior coat. For instance, last night I
put a first coat on a large sheet done "brush on", using a tried & true
emulsion mix. Flaked badly -- as I've never seen in any color but black.
Hardly the rigorous testing of my usually impartial and scientific
system, but rather does reinforce subjective *hunch* that bath-sized
paper works better for me.

In any event, comments re keeping gelatin would be appreciated. I'm
wondering meanwhile if hard gelatin heeps better -- this is Knox.

Judy


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