That you can my friend, but if you do not place them directly into the oven from the freshly opened can, you have to condition them for 8 hours before use.
AWS D1.1 makes no distinction between 10 minutes from the time you pop the seal to 2, 3, or even four hours, they have to be reconditioned before being issued to the welder. If they are out of the oven more than the time permitted by Table 5.1 [example: four hours for a 7018 (9 hours for a 7018-R)] the contractor must rebake the electrodes at an elevated temperature.
Since you appear to be primarily involved in working to ASME code sections, you are not held to the requirements of AWS D1.1. You are free to do pretty much as you please with either AWS or API. Granted there is some guidance offered by AWS A5.1 and A5.5 (ASME SFA 5.1 and SFA 5.5), but neither ASME or API provide the contractor with much information, restrictions, or guidance. Both pretty much offer the contractor a handshake and a "good luck buddy" when it comes to the storage of electrodes.
Just my humble opinion on the subject, but you know what they say about opinions!
![wink :wink:](/f2/epx.png)
Best regards - Al