slilca gel

[meathelmet]

I have heard of putting those little silica gel packets inside cache containers to keep moisture out. I know they will not help if your cache is full of water but they might help with condensation and damp logbooks. Is this common practice? does it work?

[+Isonzo Karst]

It's not common because it doesn't work.

 

Each packet will absorb a modest amount of moisture. Unless it's removed, dried out and replaced, it's done all it's going to do (not much).

 

If the cache owner is returning to remove the silica packet, take it home, microwave it, return to the cache - they can probably just wipe down the cache interior and rebag or replace the log. In areas of high humidity, things outside are just going to be damp.

[+Vinny & Sue Team]

I have heard of putting those little silica gel packets inside cache containers to keep moisture out. I know they will not help if your cache is full of water but they might help with condensation and damp logbooks. Is this common practice? does it work?

Much as Isonzo Karst has indicated, using small packets of silica gel in caches to absorb moisture is entirely ineffective unless your cache is placed in a dry arid desert, in which case they will be unnecessary anyway. Small packets of silica gel are able to absorb only very small amounts of moisture, and thus even a large handful of such packets would be of little help in protecting a cache placed in a typical temperate climate setting against water accumulation due to incursion.

 

In my work as an R&D scientist, I work regularly with silica gel in both bulk form (often used as a dessicant for drying large samples of nutritional products for processing or testing) and in packet form, the latter often used to help extend the shelf life of bottled nutritional supplements, and I can assure you that the silica gel packs, even the largest, are next to useless for applications such as placement in caches located in wet or damp areas.

[meathelmet]

THanks for the info, That is what i wanted to know.

[+vw_k]

The best way to ensure a cache stays dry is to get a decent waterproof container. For example if you're using a sandwich box type container, just spend one or two extra pounds/dollars and get a "clip lock" type one with clips and a rubber gasket.

[+Userzero]

The best way to ensure a cache stays dry is to get a decent waterproof container. For example if you're using a sandwich box type container, just spend one or two extra pounds/dollars and get a "clip lock" type one with clips and a rubber gasket.

 

OR you can try to find an Altoid box large enough to fit an electrical dehumidifier in it.

[+CacheOCD]

This is good to know. I just collected about 6 of them from Dell server box and thought I'd give them a try. I won't bother now.

 

Thanks guys

[+flask]

the best thing you can do with them is pour them into water and listen for that little crackling sound. it's nothing spectacular, but it will amuse you for a few seconds.

[+BBI Dragon]

I have heard of putting those little silica gel packets inside cache containers to keep moisture out. (snip)

 

I have thought about adding a little of that powder used in gardening, esp. indoor planters. It absorbers a lot of water and expands (it is also a gel). My thought has been to mix a little of this with the silica gel (which doesn't expand) and put it all into a cloth bag with some extra room. This way, the silica gel grabs the moisture and transfers it to the water grabbing powder. When things dry out it resets.

[knowschad]

I have heard of putting those little silica gel packets inside cache containers to keep moisture out. (snip)

 

I have thought about adding a little of that powder used in gardening, esp. indoor planters. It absorbers a lot of water and expands (it is also a gel). My thought has been to mix a little of this with the silica gel (which doesn't expand) and put it all into a cloth bag with some extra room. This way, the silica gel grabs the moisture and transfers it to the water grabbing powder. When things dry out it resets.

 

Same problem. Think of it this way...

 

take a jar, add a little water to it. Now drop a dry sponge in, and put the lid on. Think the jar will be any drier? No... it will just have a damp sponge in it instead of loose water. You'd need to remove the sponge for that to do any good.

[+Glenn]

I have heard of putting those little silica gel packets inside cache containers to keep moisture out. (snip)

 

I have thought about adding a little of that powder used in gardening, esp. indoor planters. It absorbers a lot of water and expands (it is also a gel). My thought has been to mix a little of this with the silica gel (which doesn't expand) and put it all into a cloth bag with some extra room. This way, the silica gel grabs the moisture and transfers it to the water grabbing powder. When things dry out it resets.

 

Same problem. Think of it this way...

 

take a jar, add a little water to it. Now drop a dry sponge in, and put the lid on. Think the jar will be any drier? No... it will just have a damp sponge in it instead of loose water. You'd need to remove the sponge for that to do any good.

 

Are you talking about Sodium Polyacrylate?

This is what happens when you leave the stuff out in the rain.

 

[+Wintonian]

I have heard of putting those little silica gel packets inside cache containers to keep moisture out. I know they will not help if your cache is full of water but they might help with condensation and damp logbooks. Is this common practice? does it work?

 

I just wouldn't put it in cache out in the countryside as I belive it might pose a danger to wildlife and livestock, I could be wrong though, so worth checking first.

[Tumppu]

I have heard of putting those little silica gel packets inside cache containers to keep moisture out. I know they will not help if your cache is full of water but they might help with condensation and damp logbooks. Is this common practice? does it work?

 

Here in Finland it's common practise to place silica gel bags inside cache containers. Usually it's placed inside a plastic minigrip bag with the logbook. It's not unusual at wintertime temperature can easily vary from -30 to +5 degrees celsius and sometimes the variations can be rather quick. These kind of temperature variations can produce vast amount of condensation moisture inside the container.

[+Castle Mischief]

I usually toss a couple into my ammo cans. I don't expect them to absorb the Nile, but the ammo cans have been proven to be reliably water-tight so I figure the silica might soak up the moisture that would get into the can while it's opened during a find.