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Comment on CNC Kitchen – What is the best way to dry your desiccant? (microwave)

ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

I use industrial silicagel granules that I buy in 5 liter bottles. 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.

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explodes@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
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.

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reisub@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
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.

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- RegalPotoo@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  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
  
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  - cmnybo@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
    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.
    
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  - marcos@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
    
    I’d avoid breathing any of it in
    
    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.
    
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- huginn@feddit.it ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  It’s in the linked video
  
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- ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  I wasn’t aware. I’ll look into that.
  
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EmilieEvans@lemmy.ml ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
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- ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  
  the blue gel was phased out decade(s) ago
  
  But I can still buy it?
  
  Good advice though. That’s why I come to Lemmy: I learn useful stuff all the time.
  
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huginn@feddit.it ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
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

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- ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  
  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.
  
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  - huginn@feddit.it ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
    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
    
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qjkxbmwvz@startrek.website ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
Perhaps microwaving for significantly longer, at a low power level, would be safer and result in higher success/yield?

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- Ajen@sh.itjust.works ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  That’s what I do, never noticed the balls exploding. It takes about 20 minutes, but that’s the microwave’s time, not mine.
  
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