| Author |
 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,431 |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
136 Posts |
Me and some co-workers were discussing today some tricks for wicking moisture out of cell phones that have been immersed, dropped, etc. in water. One of the more common ones (and I know of a couple that have used it successfully) was using Uncle Bens Instant or fast cook rice. Putting your phone in that wicks the moisture out to help restore the phone.
Well that got me thinking. Could it be used in something like coin safes, or storage areas for coins to keep moisture away from them?
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2661 Posts |
It is possible I guess. I put the long grain in my salt shaker to keep the salt from clumping and it works great.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
I used rice in my safe at first. Now I have a dehumidifier/desiccant that I bought when a coin site had a 1 cent special months ago. Edited by Fuzzy317
06/17/2011 7:41 pm
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
I suppose it is possible for anything that readily absorbs water from the atmosphere to be dried out (usually with gentle heat), to absorb more water. If you are drying out anything, an airtight container is needed to contain the drying agent and what needs to be dried out.
Just make sure that what you use is not corrosive or exolosive, as a lot of hydrophylic substances happen to be. Everybody has heard of silica gel, that is the safest.
I do not know how good dried out rice would be, but a least it would be safe.
That brings me to an important question regarding notaphily. (Banknote collecting).
Are there any substances besides silica gel (and maybe dried out rice), that are safe and effective in obtaining a drying atmosphere, suitable for banknote storage?
|
|
Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
I saw on one coin site they also have clay desiccants.  or just a standard dehumidifier machine Edited by Fuzzy317
06/17/2011 10:49 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1733 Posts |
I buy zeolite in bulk anyhow for drying ethanol and methanol. I just put it in mesh bag and toss it in with the coins. Make a roadrunner farting sand look wet.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
860 Posts |
Most of these mentioned would do well at removing water from the air. The human factor of removing the substance before or at the point of saturation, when it then becomes a humidifier instead, is where good coins go bad.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
I had rice in a box once to do this and somebody said the rice will draw moisture to itself therefore causing a worse situation. It kinda made sense so I stick with those packets that say DO NOT EAT and the things I see inside some vitamin and other pill bottles. I don't know if rice is good or bad but I thought I'd mention this.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Most of these mentioned would do well at removing water from the air. The human factor of removing the substance before or at the point of saturation, when it then becomes a humidifier instead, is where good coins go bad.
Same thing I've been saying for a long time now. So many people think some items can absorb moisture forever. They just never change or recharge them and the next thing is their complaining about corrosion, staining, tarnishing, etc. Rice, as well as many other substances may absorb moisture, but remember you really should check that rice for purity. Normal, everyday rice could well be invested with micro organisms that are safe for people to eat if cooked, but may well attact coins. Be carefull with putting anything near coins you are not sure of what they are. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Can non clumping cat litter be used for dessication? What is the chemistry of it?
|
| |
Replies: 9 / Views: 1,431 |
|
Posted 06/17/2011 7:36 pm
