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 Replies: 21 / Views: 4,963 |
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Moderator
 United States
189340 Posts |
If they work then you will need to recharge them. That being said, if you do not need to recharge them, then you do not need them.
Remember that time is money. I would much rather cook the one in the can.
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Valued Member
United States
58 Posts |
If you are running a dehumidifier, I would first get a hygrometer and see what the humidity level is in the house or in the closet. If you have a reading that is satisfactory, you wouldn't need to do anything else.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
604 Posts |
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and input. Jbuck's thinking that time is money influenced me to get the metal one so I can spend more time looking at my money.
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Moderator
United States
189340 Posts |
Time that will be better spent, indeed.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
As already noted first get a Hygrometer. Walmart has a variety of them. Some come with temperature, humidity and even time. Large variety of them available. If you house reads less than 30%, not much to worry about. Acquiring a separate dehumidifier may well be a waste of money. However, a place called Menards and Home Depot usually have a variety of small ones that use Humidity absorbing materials. Main problem is they have to be maintained. I have one large electric dehumidifier for my entire house and it works great. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10044 Posts |
My son works in a furniture store here they sometimes assemble furniture. He gets a large pack of silica gel in every box. When I found this out I asked him to save it for me. You might be able to get a local store to do the same for you (try a Mom and Pop).
How much squash could a Sasquatch squash if a Sasquatch would squash squash? Download and read: Grading the graders Costly TPG ineptitude and No FG Kennedy halveshttps://ln5.sync.com/dl/7ca91bdd0/w...i3b-rbj9fir2 |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12845 Posts |
I have a wire basket in my safe into which I throw the silica packets I get from work (out of server and other electronics boxes), from shopping (shoe boxes and such). I've accumulated a basketful over the last couple of years.
Not sure how effective it is.
Can these packets be safely cooked to dehydrate?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
604 Posts |
I would say no because of the packaging the silica is in. I would be afraid of it melting or worse catch fire. Those are more like a one-time use then throw away. What I don't like about those is you have no way of knowing when they go bad and I wouldn't want one full of moisture near my coins. A basket full sounds like a lot so I think you are safe for now but who knows how long they will be good for.
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Moderator
Australia
16849 Posts |
Yes, you can "cook" the little packets to re-dry them. So long as the oven is not too much above 100 deg C, you shouldn't have to worry about them catching fire. Nor will silica gel "melt". Only thing wrong with using these disposable gel packets is that you can't tell whether they're wet or dry, so you (a) don't know when they need re-drying and (b) while re-drying them you can't tell when they are "done". Though a couple of hours should be adequate. Quote:
...I wouldn't want one full of moisture near my coins... A fully "wet" piece of silica is no threat to the coins, in and of itself; it's not letting go of that water unless it's heated. However, it's not doing it's job anymore; the next time the box is opened and humid air can get in, Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
589 Posts |
You could always remove the gel from the packets, and put them in something again once you've heated them. Silica shouldn't melt until it gets over 400 F, similar to silicone baking/cooking stuff (since it's all the same thing, silica); not only that but it'll never decompose (unless the temperature exceeds 400).
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1476 Posts |
I have a bunch of the ones in the metal containers that have the included hydrometer as well as in the cardboard boxes that you have to remove to dehydrate when needed. I put them in the oven at 275 f for around 3 hours or so and there good to go. I also put in the little ones that I pick out of packages that get mailed to me with them at the same time. I haven't had a problem with them to date. I DO make sure I put them on a crumpled sheet of tin foil to let the hot air get under the packets as well. It also helps the heat from concentrating on one area of the cheaper packageing so as to not start a fire. And DO NOT Forget about them being in the oven.  Hope this helps.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
604 Posts |
Thanks for the info everyone. Good to know that I can reuse those little packs and not have to worry about moisture leaking from them. I thought I had read in a different thread that moisture could leak out. I figured the silica would be safe to put in the oven but wasn't sure about the packaging since it isn't metal. Knowing that it has been done before makes me feel more comfortable trying it if I choose to.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12845 Posts |
Yes indeed, thanks. The air is pretty dry here for the next day or two so I might have to take advantage of that window and do some "cooking".  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
604 Posts |
This past weekend I decided to recharge my Silica packs. I remembered this thread and how I was informed it is possible to dehydrate the small packs that come in shoe boxes, so I decided to give it a try. I have 2 small packs that I just recently got (the wife got some shoes) and I put them in with my reusable Silica packs. Set the oven for 300 F and left them in for 3 hours. I didn't have problems with smoke, fire or anything and since the reusable packs show they are good I think it's safe to say the small packs are good also. Thanks to those who provided information  , I've learned that the small Silica packs can be put in the oven without any harm done to them or my house. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
9165 Posts |
I have the tin gel pack that turn pink when wet so instead of the oven I put them on a rack on top of the wood stove for 2 1/2 hours to turn purple , worked great.
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Replies: 21 / Views: 4,963 |
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Posted 12/09/2014 11:55 am
