I use these in sealed plastic bags with storing CDs and tapes in my storage facility. It's a great way to keep moisture out of almost anything....just DON'T try to eat 'em!

They are probably "spent" by the time you open the box they were in. They are only designed to absorb a small amount of moisture while the item is in the warehouse or in transit.

:cool:

thanks guys..

Some of these packs are designed to be reused. The silica wil turn a purpleish color telling you it has absorbed as much moisture as it can. If you put them in a warm oven for about 5 to 10 minutes the crystals will turn white again and are ready to be reused.

I don't know if you can do this with all desicant packs, you might want to check the label.

Microwave works too.

those silica packs remind me of beef jerkey.

They kind of DO taste like beef jerkey, don't they? I used to use those things like crazy until I read in PSW that one of Dirk Brauner's tech warned against them. I can't remember why, but he was hellbent against them. Maybe it was because the things turned to crystalliized dust and leave particles that will find their way onto the mic diaphragm...and then there's the calorie issue...

http://www.uline.com/Browse_Listing_1004.asp?desc=Silica+Gel+Desiccants

The 10 Gram units work best for stuff like what we would use them for. The price is a tad up there, but you get an aweful lot for the money.

J.

Rode provides the rechargable type with their mics. It's amazing how quickly they absorb moisture.

You could try going into your local music store and asking for the packets of silica gel that comes with just about every instrument shipped. I worked in a music store and we always got people coming in looking for them for various reasons. We would have thrown them out otherwise!

I bought some like this
(Dead Link Removed)
and made little fabric pouches to hold about 1 oz. No dust in the large pellets, and I can see the color if I hold the pouch up to a light. I bought 1 lb and have about 16 packets. I need some more.