another cloning ?

I've been out of the hobby for awhile so please bear with me. I use promix bx with age old grow dry added. I've used rootech with great success. My questions: does cloning gel or powders expire? Am I supposed to store cloning gel in the fridge? Are rapid rooter and root riot plugs equal in performance? Do I need rooting gel with these or do they do well without?

don't know much about the cloneing powders or jells. I don't use any of that stuff in my diy bubble cloner.

i just use a powder called 'TakeRoot' and it works fine for me, just make sure that you make little slices a the end of your cutting, dip it in distilled water, dip it in the powder formula, put the cutting in a cup of distilled water using plastic wrap or something similar to hold the cutting in the water.... then leave the cup in a window sill but not directly in the light... give it a week and it'll root up!