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 Replies: 16 / Views: 4,321 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1192 Posts |
Hi,
Last year I bought a pack of 100 Silica Gel Packets to put in with my coins. I have heard I can "recharge" them by putting them in the oven. Another 100 only costs $12 but if I can save a few bucks and save what I have, I will. I am a little nervous about putting these in the oven like I've read about. What temp and how long? Won't the paper the packet is made out of catch on fire?
Thanks
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
I have also heard you can dry them out in the oven.
But I have never done it.
I hope someone with experience will post.
If I remember right ... paper won't burn below 451 F.
Seems like temp for drying packets was 200 F.
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
I have not heard of drying the paper packet ones before. I have one that's in a glass container that changes color when it needs to be dried out and used again. John1  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10038 Posts |
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CCF Advertiser
United States
1533 Posts |
You can dry them at 250F - 300F which is above the boiling point of even strongly physisorbed water, but below the ignition temp of paper 450F. 2 hours ought to do it.
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Moderator
United States
188952 Posts |
I agree, heat them up! Twelve bucks not spent is twelve bucks saved.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12841 Posts |
I keep meaning to do this for my basket of silica gel packs that I keep in my safe. Thanks for the reminder!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
I do this - 200 degrees for 4 hours I believe. I follow the instructions on the packs (Stack-On brand). I recharge them 3 times before I throw them away and get new ones.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1192 Posts |
Does this need to be in a regular oven or will a toaster oven be ok? Will this smell up the house or leave any dangerous residue/chemicals in the oven?
jbuck - that $12 can be put toward another coin :)
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Moderator
United States
188952 Posts |
Quote:
jbuck - that $12 can be put toward another coin :) Exactly!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
Does not smell up the house or leave any residue - at least not the brand I use. I put them on an old cookie sheet and bake them. I would think a toaster oven would work fine as long as you keep the heat on the low end. I'd try one or two to start and see how it goes as I have heard that people have had them break open. I've never had a problem though.
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Moderator
United States
188952 Posts |
The only thing it should give off is the moisture.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3049 Posts |
I put them in the oven at 250 for 2 hrs... they're in paper packs already ... after that I toss the packs into a mason jar for approx 4 hrs and seal the jar... then it goes back to coins...
I would NEVER use a microwave.. while some suggest it can be done you're trying to draw the water out of the silica... but once a microwave doesn't have water molecules to "energize" it can damage the microwave...
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Remember that a gas oven uses gas and in some areas, the price of the gas may far out do the price of new gel packs.
And if you do this in the Summer when your A/C is running, now the added heat in your house from the oven makes your A/C run more.
Edited by just carl
09/24/2016 10:52 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
604 Posts |
I recharge my silica (with & without paper packs) in the oven and or toaster oven. The only problem for the paper packs is that sometimes the seam will separate from the heat but since I find them for free its not a big deal. When I put them in the toaster oven I will cover them loosely with aluminum foil as to keep the direct heat off of them. I fear that since the heat coil is closer in a toaster oven it may cause problems. I can't say if it saves me any money or cost me more but what I do know is it saves me the time from having to buy new ones.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10038 Posts |
I got mine all free anyway. My son had a job in a furniture store. Every piece of furniture thy have shipped to them has a large pack in the box with the furniture. I just asked him to save them for me. He hung a large plastic bag up in the wall and asked his co-workers to save them. I got a large bag full in a matter of months.
Go to a local furniture store and ask. Nowadays with a better attitude towards keeping things out of a landfill, people are more willing to do this kind of thing. They just throw them away.
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Replies: 16 / Views: 4,321 |
Posted 09/20/2016 8:31 pm
