Silica Gel

[diver69]

Can anyone tell me what's the proper way of drying/re-activating the silica gel packs that you use in the housing to prevent fogging?

My stash of the gel packs are all used now, and I tried putting them in the microwave, but may be I set the heat too high - the package (the bag itself) began to melt and went out of shape.

I know with the larger pellet (loose ones), I just place them in the oven and it dries out. I am worried that by placing the packets in the oven, they may completely melt.

Please advise.

 

[kapula]

This is a bit of guessing but doesn't silica gel work chemically? I don't think you are able to properly dry them up. If you want the same results I think you should buy new ones. Just my five cents though

 

[miketsp]

Silica gel can be reactivated indefinitely provided the packaging will take the drying temperature.
However. some packets are plasticised as I found when I use my traditional method of drying them out in hotel rooms by putting them on top of an incandescent light bulb for 2 - 3 hours.
Different manufacturers recommend different temperatures but normally they say 240F - 340F for 2 hours minimum.
Some types change colour from used to dry so you know when all the moisture is out.

 

[Dstone20]

I have "recharged" my Silica packets numerous times by placing them in the oven at 200 degrees and leaving them in there for a half hour to an hour. My packets have never melted, but that's not to say others won't. Different manufacturers use different materials. My Silica packets also have color changing crystals which makes "recharging" them easier. When the crystals turn blue I remove them from the oven.

Just be sure not to leave them in the oven too long. Leaving the packets in the oven too long may result in the Silica crytals becoming brittle and producing Silica dust. Then you have nice little dust particles adhering to the lens of your camera, ruining your pictures.