Silica gel packet thingies

Seven© · 03-29-2008, 01:03 PM

Are there different types?
How long is their effectiveness?
How much/many do you need?

I'm thinking I'm gonna start storing my stockpiled ammo in a big Tupperware container with a few of those tossed in.

elmer fudd · 03-29-2008, 01:28 PM

i dont know for sure but i see them in jerkey bags with a little guy eating one and then an X over him

billy · 03-29-2008, 02:09 PM

you gave me an idea!
thanks man!
check this out

that is the ingredients in a dessicant pack!
8 bucks for a big ol jug.
put it in an old sock or something and to recharge empty it onto a cookie sheet and put it in the oven on low for a couple hours.
i am doing this!

those are going in my jobox fulla ammo too!

Oxford · 03-29-2008, 03:37 PM

I've been using silica gel packs inside my gun cabinet for several years to help prevent rust. Every time I find an additional packet it's added on top of the supply I'm using. So far at least something's working to prevent rust, along with the Remington oil I rub over the guns.

ander254 · 03-29-2008, 04:08 PM

I just wanted to say that I never knew what those silica pack were for in like everything you buy until I got reading on the forum a while back. The family starts looking at you funny when you are more excited about the silica pack than the actual gift. I have too started to keep a few in with my guns.

PS I dont think I'll use cat litter, not a big fan of the smell

Oh wait, didnt notice those were crystals. that makes a big difference compared to basic litter. Just remember to periodically wipe the guns down cause the room that we had our cats box in, everything had a layer of fine dust from the crystals which made it smell like them too. So when you draw your shotgun up and get a big wiff of cat litter, just remember that i warned you.

billy · 03-29-2008, 04:17 PM

i need a hekuva lot more than i am going to get out of beef jerky packs.
i want a couple lbs. in my ammo box and one lb. in each safe.

Capt'n Mil Coll · 03-29-2008, 04:30 PM

I use a goldenrod in my safes. It is a tube that looks a lot like a hair curling iron. You put it in the bottom and plug it in. I have never had any rust problems. The guy I bot my safes from knew where to drill the holes. I also use .50 cal ammo cans to store my ammo. Never had any problems with moisture. The cans do have a seal on them. Its kinda funny cus when the temp changes the cans burp out air makeing them even more sealed. A little strange to hear when it happens.

just_a_car · 03-29-2008, 06:12 PM

I have about 8 silica gel packets of various sizes in my gun safe (which has holes in it for mounting to a wall) and I've never had rust issues. Plus... I life 15 minutes North of Seattle; can you say humid?

Dookiebutt · 03-29-2008, 07:36 PM

They do not last forever. You need to recharge the desicant packs in the oven - low heat overnight. Don't let your wife catch you and keep the temp low.

just_a_car · 03-29-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dookiebutt

They do not last forever. You need to recharge the desicant packs in the oven - low heat overnight. Don't let your wife catch you and keep the temp low.

Unfortunately, it may not work with our oven... we use natural gas. When you burn natural gas, you get heat, CO2 and water.... Note that last one. And the heater for the oven is below it, vents up into the oven and then exhausts out right behind the burners at the bottom of the display panel. So, I'm thinking I'm going to have to "roast" them near a fireplace fire.

billy · 03-30-2008, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by just_a_car

Unfortunately, it may not work with our oven... we use natural gas. When you burn natural gas, you get heat, CO2 and water.... Note that last one. And the heater for the oven is below it, vents up into the oven and then exhausts out right behind the burners at the bottom of the display panel. So, I'm thinking I'm going to have to "roast" them near a fireplace fire.

i have the same kind of oven and make jerky in it and have dried assorted things in it.

GlockMeister · 03-30-2008, 01:03 AM

I bought 450 grams in a box and it had/has a sticker/label that indicates when it needs to be recharged. Heat it in the oven a few hours is all. About $10 bucks a box. Remington also makes a dehumidifier, a little bigger then say 2 boxes of 9mm ammo together side by side for about $25.00 and it works for about 30-60 days,depending on your climate and you recharge it by plugging it into an outlet for about 10 hours. It also has a indicator telling you it is time to recharge it.

Here's the Remington > Remington Model 365 Mini-Dehumidifier, Shooting Supplies, Remington at Sportsman's Guide

And here's the other, In fact, it's on sale >
MidwayUSA - Hydrosorbent Silica Gel Desiccant 450 Gram (Protects 33 Cubic Feet) Box

BattleRifleG3 · 03-30-2008, 08:02 AM

Our cat ate a couple packets of it recently. So far he's still ticking.

billy · 03-30-2008, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BattleRifleG3

Our cat ate a couple packets of it recently. So far he's still ticking.

haha
well thats good!
let us know if he gets really thirsty and then swells up.

firebird45331 · 03-30-2008, 01:14 PM

you can bake those desicants in an oven for awhile to rejuvenate them

Arkiemike · 03-30-2008, 09:04 PM

I'm trying to make a deal with my employer to get all the silica gel packs they get in the boxes of steel wire we use. I'll have to buy them and keep a container for them available. The packs are approx 14 oz each and all of them I have looked at were still in good shape.
If I make the deal, I'll make them available to any of you who want them.
Those USPS flat rate boxes will probably hold at least 5 of them.

toolman · 03-30-2008, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arkiemike

I'm trying to make a deal with my employer to get all the silica gel packs they get in the boxes of steel wire we use. I'll have to buy them and keep a container for them available. The packs are approx 14 oz each and all of them I have looked at were still in good shape.
If I make the deal, I'll make them available to any of you who want them.
Those USPS flat rate boxes will probably hold at least 5 of them.

I'm game, I grab every dessicant pack I can find. If you get any, let me know.

oldjarhead · 03-31-2008, 10:31 AM

Anybody interested...this site sells a few different dessicant packs at a reasonable price.

Ammunition to go (good site)

03-29-2008, 01:03 PM	#1
Seven© Exalted Grand Poobah Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: WNC Posts: 763 Images: 15 Blog Entries: 2	Silica gel packet thingies Are there different types? How long is their effectiveness? How much/many do you need? I'm thinking I'm gonna start storing my stockpiled ammo in a big Tupperware container with a few of those tossed in. __________________ In Nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.

03-29-2008, 01:28 PM	#2
elmer fudd Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: pheasant country USA! Posts: 1,947	i dont know for sure but i see them in jerkey bags with a little guy eating one and then an X over him __________________ spur hard, shoot straight, party hardy!

03-29-2008, 02:09 PM	#3
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 12,184 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	you gave me an idea! thanks man! check this out that is the ingredients in a dessicant pack! 8 bucks for a big ol jug. put it in an old sock or something and to recharge empty it onto a cookie sheet and put it in the oven on low for a couple hours. i am doing this! those are going in my jobox fulla ammo too! __________________ Last edited by billy; 03-29-2008 at 02:14 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

03-29-2008, 03:37 PM	#4
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,023 Blog Entries: 4	I've been using silica gel packs inside my gun cabinet for several years to help prevent rust. Every time I find an additional packet it's added on top of the supply I'm using. So far at least something's working to prevent rust, along with the Remington oil I rub over the guns. __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

03-29-2008, 04:08 PM	#5
ander254 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 235 Images: 5	I just wanted to say that I never knew what those silica pack were for in like everything you buy until I got reading on the forum a while back. The family starts looking at you funny when you are more excited about the silica pack than the actual gift. I have too started to keep a few in with my guns. PS I dont think I'll use cat litter, not a big fan of the smell Oh wait, didnt notice those were crystals. that makes a big difference compared to basic litter. Just remember to periodically wipe the guns down cause the room that we had our cats box in, everything had a layer of fine dust from the crystals which made it smell like them too. So when you draw your shotgun up and get a big wiff of cat litter, just remember that i warned you. Last edited by ander254; 03-29-2008 at 04:11 PM.

03-29-2008, 04:17 PM	#6
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 12,184 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	i need a hekuva lot more than i am going to get out of beef jerky packs. i want a couple lbs. in my ammo box and one lb. in each safe. __________________

03-29-2008, 04:30 PM	#7
Capt'n Mil Coll Military Rifle Collector Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right behind you. -NRA Member- Posts: 2,301 Images: 12	I use a goldenrod in my safes. It is a tube that looks a lot like a hair curling iron. You put it in the bottom and plug it in. I have never had any rust problems. The guy I bot my safes from knew where to drill the holes. I also use .50 cal ammo cans to store my ammo. Never had any problems with moisture. The cans do have a seal on them. Its kinda funny cus when the temp changes the cans burp out air makeing them even more sealed. A little strange to hear when it happens.

03-29-2008, 06:12 PM	#8
just_a_car Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonds, WA Posts: 3,522	I have about 8 silica gel packets of various sizes in my gun safe (which has holes in it for mounting to a wall) and I've never had rust issues. Plus... I life 15 minutes North of Seattle; can you say humid? __________________

03-29-2008, 07:36 PM	#9
Dookiebutt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: America's North Coast Posts: 1,163	They do not last forever. You need to recharge the desicant packs in the oven - low heat overnight. Don't let your wife catch you and keep the temp low.

03-30-2008, 01:03 AM	#12
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,504	I bought 450 grams in a box and it had/has a sticker/label that indicates when it needs to be recharged. Heat it in the oven a few hours is all. About $10 bucks a box. Remington also makes a dehumidifier, a little bigger then say 2 boxes of 9mm ammo together side by side for about $25.00 and it works for about 30-60 days,depending on your climate and you recharge it by plugging it into an outlet for about 10 hours. It also has a indicator telling you it is time to recharge it. Here's the Remington > Remington Model 365 Mini-Dehumidifier, Shooting Supplies, Remington at Sportsman's Guide And here's the other, In fact, it's on sale > MidwayUSA - Hydrosorbent Silica Gel Desiccant 450 Gram (Protects 33 Cubic Feet) Box __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!

03-30-2008, 08:02 AM	#13
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	Our cat ate a couple packets of it recently. So far he's still ticking. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

03-30-2008, 01:14 PM	#15
firebird45331 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 84	you can bake those desicants in an oven for awhile to rejuvenate them

03-30-2008, 09:04 PM	#16
Arkiemike Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SW Arkansas Posts: 64	I'm trying to make a deal with my employer to get all the silica gel packs they get in the boxes of steel wire we use. I'll have to buy them and keep a container for them available. The packs are approx 14 oz each and all of them I have looked at were still in good shape. If I make the deal, I'll make them available to any of you who want them. Those USPS flat rate boxes will probably hold at least 5 of them.

03-31-2008, 10:31 AM	#18
oldjarhead Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mansfield, MO Posts: 820	Anybody interested...this site sells a few different dessicant packs at a reasonable price. Ammunition to go (good site)