https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tHInlFfMcM
copy of the video description text:
Over the years, I've collected a lot of silica gel packages and regularly put them into my stuff, hoping that they will keep it dry. These tests showed me that there is more than silica gel in the typical desiccant packages and that if you don't properly dry them, they can even ruin your filament. Let's compare four different methods to keep your loose desiccant and your silica packages dry!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:19 What's inside a desiccant bag?
01:54 Sponsor
03:19 Clay desiccant
04:57 Indicating desiccant
06:53 The problem with desiccant
10:26 Get rid of your desiccant bags?
11:06 Drying desiccant
14:38 Drying in a microwave
16:40 How much energy does it use?
19:34 Drying the bags in a microwave
21:48 Do you damage your desiccant in the microwave?
23:18 Summary
I'm surprised Stephan did not mention that bentonite clay is commonly used for cat litter.
I use industrial silicagel granules that I buy in 5-liter jugs. The granules are blue when dry and turn purple/red when they no longer absorbs humidity. Then I throw them in the microwave for 5 minutes and the granules turn blue again - and scalding hot too.
It's not perfect because it gradually turns more and more silicagel granules to dust as they explode like popcorn. So after maybe 10 to 15 cycles, the silicagel becomes ineffective and the blue granules turn more and more to brown, Then it's time to throw it away and use a fresh batch.
It's possible to extend the life of the granules by drying them in a regular oven at low heat rather than in the microwave at full pelt but it's slow and annoying, and silicagel isn't that expensive, so I don't bother.
The blue comes from Cobalt Chloride, a very toxic substance. I'd keep that microwave separate from your food. Same with any ovens and dryers you use.
I read somewhere, that the dye is either poisonous or carcinogenic (sorry, no source, I have to search for it again). So I am not sure if putting it in the microwave is the best idea.
Some (usually cheaper) indicating desiccants use cobalt-based dies which are fairly toxic, but unless you are using them to keep food dry it's not a huge issue. Having them break into powder in the microwave probably isn't great though, I'd avoid breathing any of it in
The orange indicating gel is less toxic, but it's still not good for you. Don't dry any indicating silica gel in the same oven you use for food. The clear silica gel is non toxic, but breathing the dust can cause silicosis.
The powder can settle on your food just like if can settle on your lungs.
I'd recommend not using the same microwave you use for food to dry died desiccant.
It's in the linked video
I wasn't aware. I'll look into that. Thanks!
Don't buy those. Orange gel is the "new" blue.
The reason why the blue gel was phased out decade(s) ago is the CoCl2. Along all of the hazards are H350i and H360F (cancer and reproduction [aka. your plan to have kids might not turn out that great]).
While orange gel doesn't have as good of a color change it is significantly lower risk and shall be used.
But I can still buy it?
Good advice though. That's why I come to Lemmy: I learn useful stuff all the time.
China. That's where you can still get the Cobalt indicator and subsequently on Amazon, Aliexpress or ebay.
The upside is the fantastic color change, which is why some still prefer it and why it is probably still being made.
In Europe there is an alternative blue indicator that is cobalt-free, but it is more of a blue to brown/very dark red colour change, so not great either especially after a few drying cycles.
The video specifically calls that method out as dangerous and toxic.
Microwave is fastest but you've gotta do it at an extremely low power setting and he recommends not using it with a food microwave
The microwave sits in the workshop and is not for cooking food. It's strictly to do nasty stuff with materials I work with.
Gotcha. The other issue with microwaving it on high settings is they burst releasing a dust of silica and indicating color, neither of which is good to breathe. If you've got good ppe and ventilate you should be fine.
It will kill the color changing effect tho
Perhaps microwaving for significantly longer, at a low power level, would be safer and result in higher success/yield?
That's what I do, never noticed the balls exploding. It takes about 20 minutes, but that's the microwave's time, not mine.