Opinion needed: Okay to leave in caches?

[+Knight2000]

Doing some cleaning and organizing today and found these. I am not even sure what they are called. They are those capsules from inside pill bottles that soak up moisture. Of course i think of all those caches that are slightly moist, especially those log books.

 

Besides the danger of eating them, do these pose any potential danger? We are totally into recycling as much as we can and these seem light they might have a possible use.

 

What is your opinion as to leaving these in caches, yours or others? Thanks!

 

Stephen

[+mousekakat]

Well, I hope the opinion is good, cuz we leave both those and the little "pillows" that are often in shoes when you buy them!

 

Naomi

[+tabulator32]

I don't think it would hurt. This is said assuming the average cahcer has enough common sense to not pick up something out of a cache and put it in their mouth.

 

Having said that, most of the caches I see that get water in them have a lot more water in them than those little absorbent pillows would know what to do with.

 

Anyway, its a nice sentiment for the cache, I suppose.

 

[+StarBrand]

As was already pointed out, the damp caches I have seen had way more than a packet would absorb.

[+sTeamTraen]

These tiny moisture absorbers are designed to protect the contents of a package from the humidity which may be in the air along with the contents, when the package is closed.

 

They typically wouldn't absorb much of a percentage of the moisture in a single "open" of an ammo can. If in addition the can is going to be opened regularly, allowing new, moist air to rush in: fuhgeddaboutit.

[+geowizerd]

These tiny moisture absorbers are designed to protect the contents of a package from the humidity which may be in the air along with the contents, when the package is closed.

 

They typically wouldn't absorb much of a percentage of the moisture in a single "open" of an ammo can. If in addition the can is going to be opened regularly, allowing new, moist air to rush in: fuhgeddaboutit.

 

Hey, they can't hurt.... For more agressive moisture absorption, put a couple bricks of charcoal in a perforated ziplock bag.

[+TexasGringo]

Don't leave containers of "BUBBLE GOO" in the caches...they leak, break, freeze...etc. They are a mess to clean out.

 

Bubble Goo = The Goo that people use to blow bubbles with.

[+tabulator32]

Don't leave containers of "BUBBLE GOO" in the caches...they leak, break, freeze...etc. They are a mess to clean out.

 

Bubble Goo = The Goo that people use to blow bubbles with.

 

I often refer to that as "gum". It was once made from the bark of a gum tree.

[+fairyhoney]

These tiny moisture absorbers are designed to protect the contents of a package from the humidity which may be in the air along with the contents, when the package is closed.

 

They typically wouldn't absorb much of a percentage of the moisture in a single "open" of an ammo can. If in addition the can is going to be opened regularly, allowing new, moist air to rush in: fuhgeddaboutit.

 

Hey, they can't hurt.... For more agressive moisture absorption, put a couple bricks of charcoal in a perforated ziplock bag.

 

You mean like charcoal briquettes the stuff used for bar - b- queing?

[+tabulator32]

Hey, they can't hurt.... For more agressive moisture absorption, put a couple bricks of charcoal in a perforated ziplock bag.

 

You mean like charcoal briquettes the stuff used for bar - b- queing?

 

They work.

 

Also, if need be, another cacher caught without a pen can use them to sign the log.

 

Worst case scenario, if they find the cache and then can't find their way back, they might use them to help start a fire and stay warm.

 

[+ShmilyNMe]

Seems like I've seen something on another thread about someone who routinely leaves these in caches to keep the moisture down. No harm no foul in my opinion!

[+fairyhoney]

Hey, they can't hurt.... For more agressive moisture absorption, put a couple bricks of charcoal in a perforated ziplock bag.

 

You mean like charcoal briquettes the stuff used for bar - b- queing?

 

They work.

 

Also, if need be, another cacher caught without a pen can use them to sign the log.

 

Worst case scenario, if they find the cache and then can't find their way back, they might use them to help start a fire and stay warm.

 

 

For the "worse cse" maybe one should also leave those waterproof matches

[+tabulator32]

Worst case scenario, if they find the cache and then can't find their way back, they might use them to help start a fire and stay warm.

 

 

For the "worse case" maybe one should also leave those waterproof matches

 

Yep. 'sure would be easier than polishing the bottom of a coke can with a piece of chocolate or using eyeglasses to focus the sun's rays on it. Highly combustable materials probably shouldn't go into caches but cachers should always carry matches or a lighter or SOMETHING like that, especially this time of year. Brrr!

[+Team Cotati]

Doing some cleaning and organizing today and found these. I am not even sure what they are called. They are those capsules from inside pill bottles that soak up moisture. Of course i think of all those caches that are slightly moist, especially those log books.

 

Besides the danger of eating them, do these pose any potential danger? We are totally into recycling as much as we can and these seem light they might have a possible use.

 

What is your opinion as to leaving these in caches, yours or others? Thanks!

 

Stephen

 

How many things in a cache container have you been confused about wrt eating it?

Edited December 23, 2007 by Team Cotati

[+TrailGators]

Doing some cleaning and organizing today and found these. I am not even sure what they are called. They are those capsules from inside pill bottles that soak up moisture. Of course i think of all those caches that are slightly moist, especially those log books.

 

Besides the danger of eating them, do these pose any potential danger? We are totally into recycling as much as we can and these seem light they might have a possible use.

 

What is your opinion as to leaving these in caches, yours or others? Thanks!

 

Stephen

 

How many things in a cache container have you been confused about wrt eating it?

If people start putting things in a cache that we can't eat what are we gonna do? But seriously, I think putting these inside the ziplock bag with the logbook is a good idea!

[+wimseyguy]

I doubt they will hurt the cache, but think they are about as desirable as the missing wheel or leg from a broken Mctoy/barbie doll.

Not everything is designed to be recycled.

[+Knight2000]

I doubt they will hurt the cache, but think they are about as desirable as the missing wheel or leg from a broken Mctoy/barbie doll.

Not everything is designed to be recycled.

I didn't intend to use them as swag, just to be helpful. The more things we can keep out of the landfill the better IMO.

[+The Leprechauns]

From time to time I leave a silica gel dessicant inside a logbook bag. It isn't going to absorb all the moisture from an entire cache container, but it has a fighting chance to help keep a log dry.

 

Each one I've seen is labelled and says "DO NOT EAT." I suppose I could live with the guilt if a non-English speaking geocacher decided to munch on a dessicant. I could then espouse Darwinism as well as a hard-nosed immigration policy.

Edited December 23, 2007 by The Leprechauns

[+briansnat]

Leaving one is unlikely to help (well maaaaybe in a micro) but probably won't hurt.

 

As far as eating them, they don't taste that good, so I wouldn't recommend it.

[+TrailGators]

I suppose I could live with the guilt if a non-English speaking geocacher decided to munch on a dessicant. I could then espouse Darwinism as well as a hard-nosed immigration policy.

[+Snoogans]

Besides the danger of eating them,

 

Do you often eat stuff outta caches?

[+hairball45]

Nobody'd eat 'em. Everybody knows you can't put food in caches. Seriously, one of those might help in a film can micro. We have dessicant bags as big as your hand at work, but I think they would be missed, so they can just stay there.

Edited December 23, 2007 by hairball45

[+tabulator32]

Nobody'd eat 'em. Everybody knows you can't put food in caches.

 

Not to be argumentative, but...the little warning on the package wasn't put there arbitrarily.

 

[+ArcherDragoon]

Leaving one is unlikely to help (well maaaaybe in a micro) but probably won't hurt.

 

As far as eating them, they don't taste that good, so I wouldn't recommend it.

 

I tried it once...

 

...dried and shriveled up like a slug covered in salt...

 

...all in all, a great experience...great way to lose that extra holiday weight!!!

 

Later,

ArcherDragoon

[+Karen2408]

Nobody'd eat 'em. Everybody knows you can't put food in caches.

 

Not to be argumentative, but...the little warning on the package wasn't put there arbitrarily.

 

 

Lawyers made them put the warning on the packages and we all know about them!

 

[+Snoogans]

Nobody'd eat 'em. Everybody knows you can't put food in caches.

 

Not to be argumentative, but...the little warning on the package wasn't put there arbitrarily.

 

 

Lawyers made them put the warning on the packages and we all know about them!

 

 

I got a Magnavox audio surround system in 90's. There was a whole page of the instructions dedicated to not eating the little packets. The best part was the packets were marked "this is not gum."

[+Walt Jabsco]

I've been thinking about getting these dessicant packs for my cache in an ammo can:

 

Veritemp Dessicant

 

And writing "Not Swag: Please leave in cache" on them.

There's actual charts and graphs for what size pack goes into what size container, but that's like a lot of math and stuff. I figure if I buy this size and go out and replace one every four months that should keep it dry. I'm not sure about this one, but a lot of dessicant packs can be recharged by throwing them in an oven and baking the moisture out again. A good ammo can is pretty well sealed to begin with, so I would think this would definitely work to keep out any stray moisture.

[+Glenn]

These tiny moisture absorbers are designed to protect the contents of a package from the humidity which may be in the air along with the contents, when the package is closed.

 

They typically wouldn't absorb much of a percentage of the moisture in a single "open" of an ammo can. If in addition the can is going to be opened regularly, allowing new, moist air to rush in: fuhgeddaboutit.

 

Hey, they can't hurt.... For more agressive moisture absorption, put a couple bricks of charcoal in a perforated ziplock bag.

 

And in a pinch they can also be used to sign the log!

[+Driver Carries Cache]

Assuming the average cahcer has enough common sense to not pick up something out of a cache and put it in their mouth.

 

Hey, I always put the items back in the cache after I lick them...

 

 

DCC

[Chumpo]

I have a cache that's a physical puzzle (GC16JZY). It is a trick lock made of several large pieces of machined steel, and it's inside an ammo can. In the interest of keeping the rust at bay so all of the moving parts move freely, I bought a jug of silica gel cat litter to use as a desiccant. I filled up one of my daughters old socks with it and discouraged finders not to eat it on the cache page. So far no one has, and it keeps things nice and dry as planned. It was cheap, too!

[+Harry Dolphin]

Silica gel in a cache is a very poor idea. It is not an infinite sink. It will only absorb a certain amount of moisture. In the case of the packets from medicine bottles, less than a drop. Much less. Fully saturated silica gel will give off water when it is hot out, and absorb it again at night (or is it the other way around?) In a well sealed container, it would not be good to continually give off and absorb water. Silica gel is only effective in hermetically sealed containers. Federal packaging standards only list a useful period of six months in a Method II sealed package.

It is useless in most caches, and in many it would actually be bad.

[nonaeroterraqueous]

Is it a gel? I've seen silicate crystals that are used commercially for this. Incidentally, silicate crystals are routinely used in our laboratory as dessicant in containers that are frequently opened (once every couple of days). The lifespan of a handful of the stuff in a regular-sized container is a few months. It can be recharged by heating in an oven on low for about an hour or two; then it's good to be re-used all over again.

[+Glenn]

We use silica gel packets at work. We use them mostly in sealed outdoor electronic equipment cabinets. We also put a paper in the cabinet that changes color to indicate the amount of moisture in the air. It lets us know if there a problem with the seal. Silica gel is good at reducing humidity in a closed environment like a sealed cabinet or properly sealed ammo can. But if there is a problem with the seal the silica gel won't be able to keep up. Also some silica gels if exposed to too much water will pop open and cause a mess.

 

The method we use at work to "recharge" silica gel is by putting it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. As soon as the microwave shuts off open the door or the silica gel packs will begin to reabsorb the moisture. Wipe any condensation from inside the microwave. Repeat about three times or until no more condensation forms. If you are lucky enough to be using the indication type of silica gel then repeat until you see a color change. Because of differences in microwaves and silica gel YMMV. Test this method first with only a packet or two. If the silica gel packets get to hot it will damage them and they will no longer absorb moisture from the air.

[+oldnavy59]

they put them in shoe boxes so they must do some good, but probably to put them in the bag with the log book is the best idea

[+TexasGringo]

***Do you often eat stuff outta caches?***

 

I once found a cache that was a Buffet. All kinds of moisture absorbers, matchs, batteries, Bubble Goo, Hand wipes...etc.