4 ms·
This sounds like a great idea, but how do you keep it from being "drained" or hydrated?
by nemonemo 1y ago
This sounds like a great idea, but how do you keep it from being "drained" or hydrated?
- reverendsteveii 1y agoother people are suggesting the microwave rather than the oven. to my mind it seems very possible that you don't keep them from hydrating, you just dehydrate them on-demand.
- mrob 1y agoI store mine in an plastic box with airtight lid designed for food storage.
- nvader 1y agoPrecisely this! Even so, I refresh them just before using them. TIL about the microwaving trick. I'll have to find out more about it. My concern would be the gel beads popping from internal pressure.
- NoahKAndrews 1y agoIf they're not getting hydrated slowly, they're not serving any purpose. The whole point is that water goes into them instead of whatever you're trying to keep dry.
- mrob 1y agoIf you're keeping them on hand for drying electronics in emergencies then you need to store them somewhere airtight.
- filoleg 1y agoI think the grandparent comment meant keeping unhydrated during storage (for future uses of emergency drying electronics), not while it is being actively used for its intended purpose.
- wildzzz 1y agoImmediately take them out of the oven and store in the smallest airtight container you have. Obviously they'll absorb the humidity in the container and whatever is introduced anytime you open it. Ideally, keep them in containers that have an excellent seal and minimal internal volume like quality ESD bags.
- thfuran 1y agoI don't think I've ever seen an antistatic bag with a very good seal, and I'm not sure it's a good idea to drop something directly out of a hot oven into them either.
- cma 1y agoAnother option is a canning jar.
- dredmorbius 1y agoFor the quantities of silica gel typically used, a smaller spice or condiments jar (glass with metal lid) would be more appropriate for most people.
- jonah 1y agoIn a "ziplock" bag which you have vacuumed all the air out of.
- singleshot_ 1y agoThrow them in a container with some silica gel.