Has Anyone Used Silica Gel Pak Desiccants?

[Sea Yawl Later]

I read about Silica Gel Paks and they sounded like a great idea. However, when I looked on line I wasn't sure how much or what kind to buy. Has anyone had any experience with them? Thanks!

Sea Yawl Later!!

Linda

[Delezynski]

Linda,


You can make your own packs using the Silica. See: - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices for a supply at a very good cost.


We bought a few packs for quite a bit more $$ and use them the orange dry boxes, for tools & stuff.


Greg

[Solitude]

Is this to be used for removing moisture? I use the buckets during the winter.

[Sea Yawl Later]

Thanks for the information. What do you package them in? THis is alot cheaper than what I was seeing. Also, I didn't understand "We bought a few packs for quite a bit more $$ and use them the orange dry boxes, for tools & stuff"

I want to put them in things as small as spices and as large as our computer. What should the paks be made out of? Would ziplock baggies work?

Linda

[Delezynski]

It absorbs moisture turns pink, and can then be warmed to drive off the water and reused.
NOT at all like the white stuff that turns to a liquid and gets dumped.


The type we bought is at:
Silica Gel Packs


Greg

[FSMike]

Silica gel can't absorb moisture if it's in a waterproof container, such as Ziplock bags.

[Delezynski]

You can make small packs out of any tight weave cloth, or something like a couple of layers of cotton. The only problem with doing that is you can't see the color of the crystals, so you don't know when they turn pink and need to be dried out. I used to use old film containers with a rubber band holding a cloth over the top. I could just pop the cloth off and see the color, then spread them out on a cookie sheet to dry them for re-use. You might be able to find some small clear container that you could make a cover for??


God luck


Greg

[Sea Yawl Later]

Silica gel can't absorb moisture if it's in a waterproof container, such as Ziplock bags.

Duh!! Don't you just hate it when you say something stupid. Thanks FSMike, I really usually have my brain in gear... I was just thinking about the little silica gel paks that come in medicines and they seem to be hard plastic. Obviously they must be porous.

[FSMike]

Sea Yawl -
Easy solution would be to use the toe end of some no longer used thin socks. Dump in the silica and seal the other end with a rubber band. Nobody wears socks on a boat anyway unless they're too far north.

[Sea Yawl Later]

Mike,

Your Brilliant! I love easy answers that uses what we have!

[David M]

Originally Posted by FSMike

Sea Yawl -
Easy solution would be to use the toe end of some no longer used thin socks. Dump in the silica and seal the other end with a rubber band. Nobody wears socks on a boat anyway unless they're too far north.

Hah...reminds of fishermen wearing camouflage.

[Fishman_Tx]

panty hose works better. double bagged.....

[danhaun]

I have never tired this cat litter but heard about Fresh Step on a podcast. It might be an inexpensive source. 8 Lb approx. $14 in stores.

Fresh Step® Crystals is made from silica gel, a porous substance that quickly traps liquid and then allows it to evaporate, and a fragrance.

[hellosailor]

AFAIK the white calcite sold in buckets binds up A LOT more water. The silica gel is designed to just absorb moisture from a closed space (like a baggie or closed tool box) and then be heated up to re-use, or tossed.