| You are supposed to store 7018 rod at a temperature of 300 F. If the rod has been out for more than a few hours you are supposed to recondition the rod in an oven for one hour at 500 F (some sources say 700 F). Some people say you can get away without doing this. However, the manufacturers say otherwise. The problem with 7018 rod is that it is prone to "hydrogen embrittlement" which happens because the flux on the rod absorbs humidity and then it produces hydrogen in the arc. The hydrogen dissolves in the molten steel and makes the weld brittle. I suppose if your project does not require heavy duty strength this would not be something to worry about. As far as your package of rod is concerned, maybe the best thing would be to contact the manufacturer with your questions of whether the rod may still be good. It's ironic that 7018 is subject to hydrogen embrittlement because that type of rod was developed specifically for low hydrogen welding. However, it turns out that the flux is hygroscopic, so if the rod is not stored properly then it becomes the opposite of a low hydrogen rod. I am giving this information from book learning, not from actual experience with 7018. | 
