What Is a Silica Gel Pack?

Silica gel packs remove moisture from the air to protect various packaged goods from corrosion or spoilage during shipping and while in storage. The silica gel desiccant can adsorb up to 40 percent of its weight in water.

Characteristics and Absorption

The packs contain the non-corrosive, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic and chemically inert silica gel in granule form. As it absorbs water it does not change chemically and produces no by-products.

Indicating Silica Gel

Indicating silica gel, sometimes found in transparent packs, changes color from blue to pink as it absorbs water. When it dries, it goes back to blue.

Drying Edible Products

Silica gel packs reduce mold and mildew growth in packages of non-refrigerated meats like sausages and jerky. Included in vitamin containers, they prevent crumbling or caking from moisture.

Drying Non-Edible Products

Manufacturers put silica gel packs in with shoes and electronic devices to retard mold and prevent corrosion and condensation. Put a silica gel pack in your camera case to help keep it dry.

Drying Silica Gel Packs

You can dry saturated packs in an oven for reuse. Place them on a Pyrex dish, without the sides touching, in an oven at exactly 245 degrees F for 24 hours. Use an oven thermometer to avoid overheating the packaging.

References

• Silica Gel Desiccant
• Silica Gel Packs