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What do those little silica packets do? - Page 2

post #31 of 770
5/27/03 at 2:09pm
Quote:
Bryan, I did that once, you have to use 2 packets. Using one only absorbs half the pool. Better hurry up and get a new hard drive!!


Doh! I guess I'm not as smart as I thought I was! I'll be right back.....
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post #32 of 770
5/27/03 at 2:40pm
But how does the Matrix know how much moisture these packets should absorb ?
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post #33 of 770
5/27/03 at 2:59pm
I guess we'll just never know what they do
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post #34 of 770
5/27/03 at 3:17pm
Quote:
Where does the silica put the moisture? Are they some sort of gateway to a moisture-laden other world?


You have to send the saturated silica packets to Arizona. The dry heat releases all the moisture. Once released, they're recycled and ready for packaging with new orders for hard drives.
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post #35 of 770
5/27/03 at 3:30pm
Why do they include hard drives with silica shipments?

--
Holadem
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post #36 of 770
5/27/03 at 3:55pm
To clear up any misconceptions, they are a dessicant. They have no established relationship with condiments. They are not poisonous, but may present a choking hazard, especially if used in place of tortilla chips.

Hope this helps.
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post #37 of 770
5/27/03 at 4:02pm
Re: My previous post-Sorry, it's just my dry sense of humor. I really must stop saving these silica packets.
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post #38 of 770
5/27/03 at 4:25pm
I think there's a nice batch of silica and salsa at Cincodemyo...

.. for any of you Seinfeld fans.
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post #39 of 770
5/27/03 at 4:32pm
Clarification: They will adsorb a fair amount of seltzer. Perhaps that was a source of confusion.
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post #40 of 770
5/27/03 at 4:38pm
Only on HTF can a thread about silica dessicant packets go to 2 pages.
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post #41 of 770
5/27/03 at 5:06pm
Quote:
Where does the silica put the moisture? Are they some sort of gateway to a moisture-laden other world?


Dave, I think the silica puts the moisture the same place the dryer puts one of my socks from time to time.
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post #42 of 770
5/27/03 at 5:25pm
Yes they absorb moisture, but for how long? I read once where someones home was damaged when his two silica packs that came with his shoes, expelled all of the water back into the home. Those silica packs are dangerous. Just remember in the event of sudden silica moisture expulsion that that your sofa cushions may be used as flotation devices.
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post #43 of 770
5/27/03 at 6:34pm
Bob

Were those silica packs still in his shoes and soaked up all the sweat from his feet??
That would be nasty....

"What's that smell??"
"Oh that, just the condensed odor and moisture from my feet that exploded after my silica packs overfilled from two years of use"
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post #44 of 770
5/27/03 at 7:06pm
Yes they absorb moisture, but for how long? I read once where someones home was damaged when his two silica packs that came with his shoes, expelled all of the water back into the home. Those silica packs are dangerous.

Yep, gotta watch out for that explosive re-humidification. Make sure you're insured if you're going to keep silica around the house for any length of time.
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post #45 of 770
5/27/03 at 7:08pm
I just called my homeowners insurance to check and see if I had silica coverage. They immediately cancelled my policy.
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post #46 of 770
5/27/03 at 7:11pm
I thought they were free samples of chicklets!
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post #47 of 770
5/27/03 at 7:20pm
I've saved all my silica packets and have used them in many other applications around the house and abroad. For example:

1) When we have overnight guests, instead of providing everyone with their own bath towels, we give them silica packets. We've found that one silica packet can endure up to 5 showers/baths before having to discharge the moisture from them.

2) On trips, I take along an entire ziploc baggy full of silica packets. After showering, I place the silica packets on my hair to quickly dry it. I have more space in my suitcase now that I don't need to pack a hairdryer. Works like a charm. Also, on camping trips when we're in the middle of the forest, everybody tells me that my hair always looks great. Shhhhhhhhh...little do they know my little secret.

3) I line the inside of my pillow case with silica packets. Soaks up an entire night's worth of drool. My pillow smells as fresh as when it first was pulled from the packaging. Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm!!!

I have many more uses for the silica packets, but alas, I am tired and must prepare my pillow for my evening slumber.
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post #48 of 770
5/27/03 at 7:31pm
Well, after some, uh, experimentation, I think I can say for sure that these things are not addictive.

I gotta go. For some reason, all of a sudden, I'm really, really thirsty.
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post #49 of 770
5/27/03 at 7:43pm
When used in place of antiperspirant, used silica gel packets must be discarded in an appropriate biohazard container.
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post #50 of 770
5/27/03 at 8:20pm
Great ideas guys ! And here I thought I was the only smart one recycling those silica packs.
I like to save them up all year. Then when winter arrives I'll empty a pack or two into my gas tank each time I fill up to absorb any condensation that occurs. Hav'nt bought methyl hydrate in years.
A couple times we ran out of diapers when we were a little short on dough. I was a little hesitant at first, but thought what the hell. Sprinkled a few on some duct tape, and badda bing ! Works for quite a while, until the duct tape starts wearing off.
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post #51 of 770
5/28/03 at 12:14am
I was walking down the street and there was a puddle of water and a little old lady who could barely walk approached. She had her nice white dress shoes on. She said "young man would you mind taking your jacket off and laying over the puddle so I can walk through?"
"Mamm I'll do better" I said... THankfully I purchased two hard drives last night.. I took out my two silica packets and sprinkled them on the puddle, instantly it dried up..
And she walked accross on dry land.....just like....
______________________________
MOSES!!!
Yes Lord
Walk the people across the river
Um Lord we'll drown
Okay moses you know all those little packets I told you to use to pack with the loot from Egypt?
Yes Lord
Throw them in the Water
It's a Miracle........
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post #52 of 770
5/28/03 at 3:08am
Those silica packets could have saved the insurance companies millions and millions of dollars. We had some flooding here in Ga only if everyone would have saved their silica packets and put them around their house when the water got close. I know you get these for free in some stuff you buy but its hard to collect a lot bcause you have to use them from time to time. Is there any place you can buy a box or bag full and how much are they? I would like to have a bunch for emergencies.
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post #53 of 770
5/28/03 at 6:34am
Mike Barnhill, ever heard of Ice 9?

Toyota, do they still make the Celica?

As this is HTF, maybe we should all watch "True Grit"
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post #54 of 770
5/28/03 at 7:08am
Quote:
Dave, I think the silica puts the moisture the same place the dryer puts one of my socks from time to time.


Nope. That's not what happens at all Mark.

See, as we've seen, the moisture stored within the silica packets can undergo an explosive remoisturization. So don't go around stabbin' them with pointy objects. You never know when the absorbed moisture will be released...

Off-topic:

Now, as to the whole dryer/sock thing, I have a theory. Based upon my observations, I'm always out a couple of socks. BUT, I always have far too many coat hangers.

So, logically speaking, it's obvious to me that socks are the larval form of coat hangers, and the heat of the dryer causes the metamorphosis into their adult form.

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post #55 of 770
5/28/03 at 10:19am
Is there any place you can buy a box or bag full and how much are they?


Bulk quantities are available if you know the right people, but believe me, you don't want to get involved with the Silican mob.
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post #56 of 770
5/28/03 at 10:20am
Only silica addicts buy the stuff in bulk, much like bubble wrap addicts.
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post #57 of 770
5/28/03 at 11:12am
My homeowners insurance covers salsa but not silica.

Oh yeah, Mark... I found your sock this morning. It was packed with the new hard drive I bought. It smells fresh and is completely free of moisture. I can't say the same about the sock, though. It was full of salsa.
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post #58 of 770
5/28/03 at 3:10pm
If your packet of silica fully retains its maximum capacity, how do you drain it - with another packet? :wink:
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post #59 of 770
5/28/03 at 5:12pm
this thread is getting, er, supercilious...
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post #60 of 770
5/28/03 at 7:00pm
Quote:
Is there any place you can buy a box or bag full
Don't buy 'em when you can get handfuls for free in the Silica Valley!
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