How can you tell when desiccant packets are used up?

plant_lady

plant_lady

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For anyone who keeps desiccant packets in storage containers to fight moisture: how can you tell they've already soaked up liquid? Do they shift color, or swell up like a pillow? If there's no visible sign, do you swap them out every few months just to be safe?
 
A number of desiccant packets have indicator windows built into the side of the packaging, and the material inside changes color so you can check them at a glance. Reusable versions are also available: you drive the moisture out by heating them, after which they are ready to go again. With those reusable ones, the color change is always present.

Beyond that, weight gives you a reliable answer. Take a fresh, dry packet and weigh it to establish a baseline. Desiccant can typically take on roughly 40% of its own weight in water, though the packaging itself contributes some weight as well. If a packet comes in more than, say, ~25% above the dry weight, I'd swap it out (or run the reuse process, if it's a reusable type.)
 
tekkit said:

A number of desiccant packets have indicator windows built into the side of the packaging, and the material inside changes color so you can check them at a glance. Reusable versions are also available: you drive the moisture out by heating them, after which they are ready to go again. With those reusable ones, the color change is always present.

Beyond that, weight gives you a reliable answer. Take a fresh, dry packet and weigh it to establish a baseline. Desiccant can typically take on roughly 40% of its own weight in water, though the packaging itself contributes some weight as well. If a packet comes in more than, say, ~25% above the dry weight, I'd swap it out (or run the reuse process, if it's a reusable type.)
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Thanks, that's really helpful!
 
You can find reusable "food grade" silica gel packets on AZ — that's usually my go-to source for them. There may well be less expensive options elsewhere, naturally.
 
I rely on Zorbette Dry Tabs. https://a.co/d/0dRznFsF. Because they're slim, they sit right on top of the vials inside a standard plastic kit, and the lid still closes without trouble. Once you start pulling vials out of the kit, a tab can also stand upright across 2 vial slots with the lid still fitting, so the size works out really well.

Color isn't an indicator for these, though they do become slightly soft and flimsy once saturated. Mine live in the freezer, so I doubt that's a reliable signal anyway. They cost so little that replacing them on a regular schedule is an option if you want to. For me they're just inexpensive insurance — not something I burn mental energy on.

I drop one into spice bottles and salt shakers too. No more clumpy garlic powder or salt! Before this I'd reuse one of the small silica packets that came with whatever OTC pill bottle I had, but I never felt good about clearish/white crystals in a paper or tyvek bag sitting in a shaker of salt. Sooner or later it would probably develop a pinhole.
 
Dos-Dox said:

I rely on Zorbette Dry Tabs. https://a.co/d/0dRznFsF. Because they're slim, they sit right on top of the vials inside a standard plastic kit, and the lid still closes without trouble. Once you start pulling vials out of the kit, a tab can also stand upright across 2 vial slots with the lid still fitting, so the size works out really well.

Color isn't an indicator for these, though they do become slightly soft and flimsy once saturated. Mine live in the freezer, so I doubt that's a reliable signal anyway. They cost so little that replacing them on a regular schedule is an option if you want to. For me they're just inexpensive insurance — not something I burn mental energy on.

I drop one into spice bottles and salt shakers too. No more clumpy garlic powder or salt! Before this I'd reuse one of the small silica packets that came with whatever OTC pill bottle I had, but I never felt good about clearish/white crystals in a paper or tyvek bag sitting in a shaker of salt. Sooner or later it would probably develop a pinhole.
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These are neat! I really like how slim they are. The desiccant packets I currently use take up the space of a few vials in my Hydrapeaks. The spice tip is a good one — some of my spices tend to clump up.
 
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