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Silica Gel with Moisture Indicator - Instructions for Use
Color indicator silica gel is used to dry seed for long-term storage. It may also be used to dry flowers, certain food stuffs, cameras, tools, shoes, clothing, historical artifacts, display cases, and electronic instruments. It may be used to protect valuable items from mold, mildew, rust, and corrosion.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR DRYING SEED
To dry seed, place equal weights of seed and silica gel together in an airtight jar for 7 days. After the seed has dried, remove it from the drying container and store it in an airtight container such as a Seed Saver Vial™, barrier pouch, or any jar with a rubber-gasketed lid.When used as directed, silica gel dries seed from 12% typical moisture content to a desired 3 to 5% moisture content.
Note:legumes should not be dried below 6% moisture content, otherwise the seed may become "irreversibly dormant." This means that although the seed is technically still alive, it may not germinate. Legumes can be removed from the drying container after 5 to 6 days. Do not dry any seed longer than seven days.
HOW SILICA GEL WORKS
Color-indicating silica gel contains a moisture indicator. When silica gel is completely dry, it is deep blue in color. As it picks up moisture from the air, the color indicator changes from blue to pink. Silica gel may be re-dried by heating. Heating drives out the absorbed moisture, and as it does so, the color changes back to deep blue. Approximately 40 g (1.4 oz) of silica gel will absorb the moisture from three cubic feet of air. When drying objects it is important to keep the container size small in relation to the object being dried. This helps insure more rapid and thorough drying.
HOW TO REGENERATE (RE-DRY) SILICA GEL
There are two methods used for re-drying silica gel. One method uses the oven, and the other uses the microwave. Before you use either method, please read all the safety precautions described below:
Oven drying method: This method gives the best results even though it takes longer. Set the oven for 275°F. Place the silica gel in an appropriate container and dry the gel until it turns medium blue. The oven drying method takes approximately 1-1/2 hours per quart of gel. One quart of gel weighs approximately 1.9 lbs (30 ounces).
Microwave drying method: Place the silica gel in an appropriate container and set the microwave power to the medium to medium-high setting. Dry for approximately 3 to 5 minutes and inspect the gel for color change. If the gel has not dried, stir it with a spoon and heat it for another 3 to 5 minutes. Stir the gel each time it is inspected. Approximate drying time is 8 to 12 minutes per pound of gel. The actual heating times will vary according to the type of microwave. You may set the power setting on high but please be careful not to overheat the gel.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
You are responsible for the safe and proper use of this product. Do not use this product in a way that it was not intended, or without following the precautions below. Use only a very thick Pyrex baking dish to dry the gel. A 9" x 9" baking dish works well. The glass should be approximately 1/4" thick. Do not use a Pyrex pieplate, or other thin glass, which may shatter if overheated. As a precaution, do not handle or move a hot Pyrex dish. Do not use plastic or microwave dishes for drying silica gel because the hot beads may cause the dish to melt. Silica gel gets very hot during the drying process. Do not attempt to handle hot silica gel, or the container, until it has cooled to a safe temperature. We do not recommend moving hot silica gel. If you must move it while it is hot, use a hotpad. Be aware that glass may shatter if it is of the wrong type, is too thin, or is unevenly heated. Do not overheat the gel. If you overheat the gel you may ruin it, and it will take longer and longer to regenerate the gel. It is better to under-heat it than overheat it. It is better to regenerate small batches than large batches. One indicator of overheated silica gel is the presence of black or blue-black silica beads.
You may notice a slight odor when drying the silica gel. The manufacturer states that this is due to organic volatile compounds which were absorbed into the silica gel during the drying process. These volatiles may be released as the silica gel is regenerated. Extreme overheating may cause the release of a stronger odor, possibly related to the breakdown of the gel. If there is odor, we suggest using the oven method for drying. Use adequate ventilation as a sensible precaution. Do not transfer silica gel to another storage container until the gel has thoroughly cooled. If the gel has not cooled you'll notice the presence of condensation on the walls of the storage container. Canning jars make good containers for storing silica gel.
According to the manufacturer, silica gel is chemically inert, non-corrosive, non-toxic, and odorless. Silica gel is often found in household products. For example it is often packaged with vitamins to keep the contents dry. It is also commonly packaged with shoes and electronic instruments. Even though silica gel is non-toxic even if accidentally ingested, we suggest that you keep it away from small children.
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