Overkill for solder paste. I get my solder paste in small tubes from Zephyrtronics, and they have a formulation (they say) that works well at room temperature. I’ve stored the small tubes for months out in the open without problem. I leave the tip on, and the solder paste does dry up in the tip, but that acts as a seal. I just drop in a new tip further work. Also, their red tapered tips work best.

Posted at 3:06 pm on Jul 28th, 2008 by reza

reza – You are right, some paste is sold as not requiring refrigeration, but almost all solder paste will last longer if it is kept below 50F. The paste I bought requires refrigerated storage. If I was going to use it within a few weeks I wouldn’t worry about storage, but in this case I will probably be using the paste slowly over the course of a few months so I want it to last.

Posted at 7:49 pm on Jul 28th, 2008 by Jeff

Personally I think any risk of keeping a closed container of solder past in a refer that contains food would have to be minimal. Unless beer or other refreshments are kept cool also, that cooler takes up a lot of space, to keep what I assume to be a small amount of solder paste cool. I’d repackage it into a smaller cabinet. That would put less demand on the shop power supply as well.

Posted at 5:41 pm on Jul 30th, 2008 by Doug