Silica gel packets

[nqjudo]

Does anyone know the lifespan of silica gel packets? I read that once they have absorbed enough water, they can be dried out by heating them to 300F for an hour or so. How can you tell when they need to be dried out? How many cycles can they go through?

[JLV]

I have never heard of a lifespan on these. If they are damp, then they need to be dried out or replaced. It may be a lot easier to just replace them.

[nqjudo]

JLV - Thanks for the response. It's actually the replacement part that made me ask this question. I usually get them from retail outlets but by the time I get them they have already been used. How exactly does one tell if they are saturated? I have never felt a package that seemed wet so my suspicion is that they stop absorbing before this point. Is there a way to tell?

[droopy1592]

They usually are clear or pastel colors with a frew odd colors thrown in that go from clear to any other color when they are saturated or maybe even turn blue to pink or other combos. You can bake them, but they must be separated from the plastic package they came in or it it will melt. If you have to keep it in paper, leave in oven at 225 for 4-5 hours. If outside of packet, 300 for 2-3 hours.Also, don't use any non-stick or coated pans/cookie sheets to dry them out. Just because they turn colors quick doesn't mean they are dry!

[nqjudo]

Thanks for the info Droopy. It will be easier to determine if the stuff is saturated now. Thanks!!!