# Explain Dry Water To me- Not That Kind The Other Kind **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 12, 2025, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485 "2025-03-12T18:22:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485/1 "2025-03-12T18:22:29Z")
The first kind of dry water is made with a silicon dioxide coating. This results in micro encapsulation or something. People of my generation are familiar with the use of micro encapsulation in Scratch N Sniff stickers. For more on that kind of dry water, see [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_water) I just learned of the second type in an ad on Facebook. I read the “science” section of the page. It didn’t really help. The page has a terrible, terrible design. There is a lot of video (there may be audio as well. I keep this laptop muted during work) and all the text is broken up in strange ways around more photos and video. You can see for yourself [here](https://drywater.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopTmS8ZbNk1hKtCHRahxX2OJwnNf1qSMDVnMV3TbbDZg0wZf9kG) I am very confused. Please note- I do not see myself buying any of the first type soon. I do not see myself buying any of the second kind ever. Thanks for your help. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485/2 "2025-03-12T18:25:27Z")
I’m confused. How is this different than a Crystal Light or Gatorade powder in a packet? ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485/3 "2025-03-12T18:27:07Z")
I think (I could be wrong) from the diagram in the science section of the site, they are saying the powder includes encapsulated water. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485/4 "2025-03-12T18:31:24Z")
Never Mind! The “how to use button” does not work. But goimg further down the page shows that you do need to add water. Sorry. This thread can be closed. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485/5 "2025-03-12T18:31:29Z")
It sounds that by adding electrolytes they make osmosis more effective. I did some digging and I found a video of one of their early R&D sessions. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qqT16kXIQRo/maxresdefault.jpg "Idiocracy - Brawndo has electrolytes") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqT16kXIQRo) ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485/6 "2025-03-12T18:32:29Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > But goimg further down the page shows that you do need to add water. Sorry. > This thread can be closed. Noooooooo!!! Leave it open mods. That site is so bad we need a sandbox to tear it down in. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485/7 "2025-03-12T18:40:39Z")
Before anybody trots out “Well, they picked a good name! It got your attention.” I would like to point out that the name got my attention because I thought it was a gag. After Stephen Wright’s joke became well known, various companies sold empty cans or sealed pouches marked “Dehydrated Water”. Having seen their website, there is no way I want something designed by that company going in my body. The site also explains (in the Science section) what water intoxication is. The language is deliberately chosen to avoid making a clear and actionable statement. The wording strongly suggests that attempting to hydrate with ordinary water will kill you. ---
**Author:** ![Cwturner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Cwturner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cwturner)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485/8 "2025-03-13T14:56:53Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Dehydrated Water Reminds me of a TV show from the 70’s(?) that invited viewers to send in jokes. I submitted one where a fellow opens a bag containing dirt, sticks, a dried up goldfish, etc. Another pal asks what it is and he replies dehydrated water. Hilarious, right? ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485/9 "2025-03-13T19:55:50Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > After Stephen Wright’s joke became well known, various companies sold empty cans or sealed pouches marked “Dehydrated Water”. I remember seeing those in camping stores in the very early 1970s, and Wright didn’t start doing stand-up until 1979, so I don’t think he gets the credit there. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485/10 "2025-03-13T20:57:44Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > The language is deliberately chosen to avoid making a clear and actionable statement. The wording strongly suggests that attempting to hydrate with ordinary water will kill you. To be fair, almost every person _in history_ who tried to hydrate with ordinary water did, in fact, die. Maybe they’re on to something! ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485/11 "2025-03-13T21:01:53Z")
The text is part of an image in such a way I cannot just copy and paste. I don’t feel like typing it all in manually. But, my description is accurate. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485/12 "2025-03-13T21:04:52Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > But, my description is accurate. I’m not disputing that at all! I’m just saying, given the fact that the vast majority of people who tried to hydrate with ordinary water are now dead, maybe they’re on to something after all. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485/13 "2025-03-13T21:09:36Z")
Ah. I misunderstood. I am reminded of an ad for cookies in Mad. “No one has ever died from eating _our_ brand!” ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485/14 "2025-03-18T07:53:52Z")
In the early 2000’s, Mars confectionery released a product called ‘Aqua Drops’ that had the tagline ‘Instant hydration’ and made claims in their ads such as ‘the first hydrating sweets’. They were just little sugar drops with acidic fruit flavours - certainly they made most people salivate, but salivation is not hydration - the Advertising Standards Agency upheld complaints against them and they had to revise their claims. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2025, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-dry-water-to-me-not-that-kind-the-other-kind/1015485/15 "2025-03-19T00:08:31Z")
If my wife sees this crap on TV we are going to have another fight about buying stupid things online. Fortunately she is starting to forget things more and more. I can usually just dutifully write down the 800 number on a Post-it and she has forgotten about it the next day.