6011 or 7018?

[travis]

I have not welded in 25+ years so my welds need practice I want to try a 1/8 6011 maybe 6013 and 7018 but now I read that 7018 needs stored in a oven ? maybe a small box of that to try it

[DaveO]

I read that 7018 needs stored in a oven ?

The slightly longer explanation is that 7018 is a "low hydrogen" rod, and when stored they pick up moisture that will contribute to porosity. To avoid that moisture reliably, welding operations that are using 7018 to adhere to a specification store their 7018 electrodes in an oven (oven = heat = low moisture). You can mitigate the moisture by baking the electrodes in an oven prior to using them but as Rambozo said, it's not going to make any practical difference.

[redbeard]

Plenty of variation from brand to brand in taking up moisture too. I had a cardboard box of Lincoln from Home Depot that lasted for many years, next batch was Hobart and I left a half a stick hanging in the stinger overnight and by morning it was soggy. Also makes a big difference whether you live in Florida or Nevada.