Stocking up: How long can glue be stored before opening?

[RefereeNumber2]

I've tried a bunch of different kinds of glue, but DHS No. 15 is by far my favorite for its feeling and ease of use. I live in the US, and tariffs will start being applied to small mail packages starting in May, so I am thinking of stocking up on some glue in anticipation.

My question: How long can glue (DHS No. 15 in particular) be stored on the shelf in a never-opened state? Assuming I store it in a cool/dry/dark place ... could I count on it to last 6 months? A year? I'm currently working through a 500ml bottle and have enough for probably another 4-6 months or so (at my current usage rate). On the other hand, are there close alternatives to the DHS glue that don't come from China? (I've never encountered one but maybe I've missed it)

 

[Tyce]

Properly sealed should last years... I don't know how the 500m is sealed but the 98m you actually have to cut open the hard plastic. I'd say shelf life could be decades on that one.

 

[Dr Evil]

How long can glue (DHS No. 15 in particular) be stored on the shelf in a never-opened state? Assuming I store it in a cool/dry/dark place ... could I count on it to last 6 months? A year?

6 months to a year for sure. Maybe up to 2 years.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

I just checked the bottle i'm using now
dated July 2023
it is normal
I think I opened it about 2 or 3 months ago
can't remember when I got it

 

[lodro]

I keep my DHS 15 and my Sueke bottles in the fridge and give them a bit of a shake whenever i think about it.

 

[mamedium]

I keep my DHS 15 and my Sueke bottles in the fridge and give them a bit of a shake whenever i think about it.

are you a bartender by any chance?

 

[WingTT]

Depends on how resistant the container is to ammonia evaporation. I have had glue that did not even last a month before noticeable deterioration due to the choice of bottle. If you are able to transfer the glue to a glass "boston round" bottles it might last a whole lot longer. Alternatively you can use non ammonia glue formulas like Donic Formula First that should be quite shelf stable.

 

[lodro]

are you a bartender by any chance?

Well yes, but he started it, not my fault.
James Bond famously orders his martini "shaken, not stirred,"