# What can you do with silica gel moisture-absorbent packets? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 1, 2022, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766 "2022-05-01T18:32:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Roger\_That](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roger_that/32/8505_2.png) [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/1 "2022-05-01T18:32:19Z")
I remember they have uses but forget what they are. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/2 "2022-05-01T19:06:45Z")
@Roger_That Keep those little boogers! Put them in a single layer on a cookie sheet, and place in a 250-degree oven for five or ten minutes. That will drive out any moisture the gel crystal has absorbed. Keep them inma jar with a tight-fitting lid. Then what? Keep in your camera case, or the individual cases with additional lenses (if you are still Stone-Age and keep a camera). Telescope lenses and additional accessories would appreciate a silica gel packet. Some vitamins and cosmetics have those packets inside. Stick an extra packet in a bottle of soft gel caps (vitamin E, vitamin D, lecithin, etc). Did you inherit Grandma’s good silver? After Thanksgiving, when you are ready to put the silver back into the chest, throw a handful of those little packets in with the knives and forks. All you have to do is take a tour of your home. What is wet that shouldn’t be? ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/3 "2022-05-01T19:21:14Z")
I mentioned to somebody that I keep a few AA & AAA batteries in a ziplock bag in my suitcase, and was told that I should keep a silica gel packet with them. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/4 "2022-05-01T19:34:34Z")
I have a lot of fabric and yard/thread/etc. I use for craft. I throw gel packets into their storage tubs to keep mildew at bay. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/5 "2022-05-01T19:55:12Z")
If you have a lot, separate some and keep a good sized jar half or more full. Then if you drop your phone in the toilet or something, throw it into the jar and shake periodically over the next two-three days. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/6 "2022-05-01T20:34:24Z")
They contain desiccants. They absorb moisture. Put them in any container where you want to keep the contents dry. You can buy the desiccant material in larger quantities also. There are varieties that change color after absorbing enough water and then you can change it or refresh the material in the oven. Crystal kitty litter is the same stuff, usually slightly scented, a good source of the material in volume. I keep a cloth bag of it in a plastic container to keep sandpaper dry, the same in a sandblast cabinet to keep the media dry, and a PVC pipe full of it that functions as an air dryer for a plasma cutter. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/7 "2022-05-01T20:43:14Z")
Before there were packets, there was [Krispy Kan](https://www.ebay.com/itm/115096796297). Every so often you’d unscrew the cap and heat it in the oven. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/8 "2022-05-02T12:01:32Z")
I use the little packets in the container I store my hearing aid in when it’s not in my ear. ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/9 "2022-05-02T14:22:02Z")
I keep a few in my tool box to keep rust at bay. ---
**Author:** ![Ziberian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/919ad9/32.png) [@Ziberian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ziberian)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/10 "2022-05-02T17:43:53Z")
Well, I tried. Following what sounded like a great suggestion, I opened the packets and combined them in a small container, tucked it in my fishing vest. On the river, I changed out a wet fly & dropped it in the container & shook, which should result in a now-dry fly. After several minutes trying to dig out this tiny fly while spilling tinier pellets all over the place, I abandoned this idea. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/11 "2022-05-02T17:54:02Z")
When I was in Science Olympiad in middle school, I was the bridge builder. The goal was to have the lightest bridge that held the most weight. My science teacher advised me that before I left for a competition I should heat up some packets of silica gel and put them in the box with my bridge and seal it all off, thus eliminating fractions of an ounce of water weight. I won the competition a few times so I guess it worked? I honestly don’t remember if my bridge’s weigh-in weight was less than my everyday weight or not. So uhm, if you need to get moisture out of something for a weigh-in, you can do that. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/12 "2022-05-02T18:03:50Z")
I keep my work shoes in boxes in the trunk of my car. If I acquire any of those packets, I toss them in the shoe box. ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/13 "2022-05-02T18:07:37Z")
Which reminds me, I’ve been meaning to put some backup hard drives and USB sticks in the trunk, where they will need some dessicant for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/14 "2022-05-02T18:14:12Z")
I keep all my 3D printer filament in large plastic bins. Each one comes with a desiccant package, which I toss in there as well. I also have a food dehydrator that I slightly modified for drying out filament. Any time I’m using that, I grab all the desiccants and toss them in the dehydrator with the filament for a few hours to dry them out as well. When I think of it, I keep partially used rolls of MIG welding wire in plastic bins with those as well in an attempt to keep them from rusting. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/15 "2022-05-02T18:22:49Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > When I think of it, I keep partially used rolls of MIG welding wire in plastic bins with those as well in an attempt to keep them from rusting. I need a container for welding rods to keep them dry with desiccants. I can bake the rods and the desiccant together in the oven when the desiccant becomes saturated. I really don’t under stand why nobody has worked out a non-absorbent coating for welding rods. I did have a couple of partial rolls of MIG wire that did rust away but it took a long time. A plastic bag might have been sufficient to stop that. I need a better MIG welder anyway, don’t know if any of the non-rusted wire I have left will even be useful. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/16 "2022-05-02T18:23:50Z")
Well, apparently you can’t eat them. _Or so the Germans would have us believe…_. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/17 "2022-05-02T18:30:17Z")
> [@Briny\_Deep](#): > > Which reminds me, I’ve been meaning to put some backup hard drives and USB sticks in the trunk, where they will need some dessicant for sure. I keep backup hard drives in a fire- and water-proof safe in a closet and left some dessicant packets in it. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/18 "2022-05-02T18:43:09Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I need a container for welding rods to keep them dry with desiccants. I have a bunch of PVC tubes for my rods. You could buy desiccant in bulk and toss it in there. The way I have mine is that the tubes are about as long as the rods, but cut about a foot down and a coupler stuck on the bottom/longer part, making the shorter/top part a cap (important to have the coupler on the bottom otherwise it’s harder to get the cap back on). If I was going to add bulk desiccant, I’d probably find a way to integrate it into the top part in such a way that it could periodically be pulled out, dried and poured back in easily. I assume you’re talking about TIG filler rods, bot stick electrodes, right? I supposed it would be the same in either case, just make the tubes shorter for the electrodes. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/19 "2022-05-02T19:10:20Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I assume you’re talking about TIG filler rods, bot stick electrodes, right? I supposed it would be the same in either case, just make the tubes shorter for the electrodes. Just regular old arc welding electrodes. The coatings on those absorb water readily, and that cools the arc temperature and causes excess sputtering with AC welders. I have a couple of rod holders, one is made from PVC pipe with a J-hook on it to hang it up, but I need a container to hold all the rods I have and I’ll put a cloth bag of desiccant in it. Probably a small bag in the small rod holders would help too. I don’t know how many times I plan to finish up tomorrow and then a week or two goes by and the rods are wrecked. They can at least be baked dry again if they don’t get too bad. I know the flux coated TIG filler rods have the same issues though, just haven’t had a real TIG welder yet. ---
**Author:** ![orderfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orderfire/32/10908_2.png) [@orderfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orderfire)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766/20 "2022-05-02T19:48:29Z")
I keep a few in with my silver jewelry to keep tarnish at bay. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-silica-gel-moisture-absorbent-packets/963766.md?page=2)