| Author |
Message |
    
Kevin Kowalczyk
Intermediate Member
Username: Itsfunbrewingbeer
Post Number: 430
Registered: 10-2007
Posted From: 67.167.4.225
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 03:02 pm: | 
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I read here on the brews and views that you can dry out damprid in the oven to reuse it. I'm attempting that right now, but it doesn't seem to be working. It's been in for an hour and a half at 180F, and it's just a wet gel. Was whoever wrote the drying out post pulling a fast one?
(PS I'm not trying to be cheap reusing it, I already had the oven going for something else, and was cleaning out my kegerator in preparation for the Superbowl, so I thought I would give it a try). |
Brian Miller
Junior Member
Username: Bj_mill
Post Number: 58
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 99.137.238.60
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 04:50 pm: |
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I found this info on the web at some point but haven't tried it yet:
Regenerating CaCl2: Even in a vacuum desiccator, calcium chloride will eventually become hydrated with use and will lose much of its drying power. The hydrated CaCl_2 can be collected, put in a borosilicate glass beaker, and heated in an oven at or above 200°C (392°F) for a few hours. The hydrated CaCl_2 will first melt, conforming to the shape of the container. The water will then begin to boil away (there will form puffed-up structures of dry CaCl_2 , which could overflow if a shallow container is used). When all the moisture has been driven off, the container should be covered immediately and allowed to cool. When cool enough not to melt plastic, it should be placed in a vacuum desiccator and the air evacuated. When fully cool it is then taken out of the desiccator and, if necessary, pulverized to 1/8-inch pieces in a sturdy mortar and pestle (do not grind it into powder; ideally the particles should be no smaller than about 1/8 inch). It must then be put into an airtight container as soon as possible. |
Kevin Kowalczyk
Intermediate Member
Username: Itsfunbrewingbeer
Post Number: 431
Registered: 10-2007
Posted From: 67.167.4.225
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 09:19 pm: |
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Sounds like a lot of trouble. I think I'll just buy a refill. |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 9900
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.150.192.193
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 10:01 pm: |
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More realistic is merely to put the used Damp Rid in a ceramic baking dish and bake in a 400 F oven for a couple of hours. Let it cool, break it up a little (it tends to harden after baking) and reuse. No, it won't be as effective as the method Brian cites, but it's a whole lot easier and good enough for homebrew purposes. |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 9901
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.150.192.193
| | Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 02:04 am: |
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Or you can buy calcium chloride in 50 lb. bags, a lifetime supply for reducing moisture in a freezer or fridge, at building supply places. It's used for dust control at job sites and on gravel roads. If you live in farm/ranch country, you can also find it at farm stores (another use is for adjusting soil pH). I'm guessing Damp Rid has some kind of stabilizer along with the CaCl2, but so what if you have to replace cheap generic CaCl2 somewhat more frequently.
(Message edited by BillPierce on February 01, 2009) |
Kevin Kowalczyk
Intermediate Member
Username: Itsfunbrewingbeer
Post Number: 432
Registered: 10-2007
Posted From: 67.167.4.225
| | Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 05:38 pm: |
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I did the long bake. I would advise against this. The DampRid sets up like a rock, and was a huge pain to chip out. I gave up after getting half of it out, added water to it and flushed it. An intersesting side, it heats up when you add water to it. |
Vance Barnes
Senior Member
Username: Vancebarnes
Post Number: 3569
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 74.7.7.66
| | Posted on Monday, February 02, 2009 - 08:54 pm: |
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Are you sure you're not thinking of re-activating silica gell? You can do that in the oven. |
Kentucky Dan
Member
Username: Kydan47
Post Number: 124
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 74.138.220.123
| | Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 12:25 am: |
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I've added one of these
http://www.amazon.com/Eva-dry-EDV-E-500-Renewable-Wireless-Dehumidifer/dp/B000H0 XFD2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1234137468&sr=8-4
to my 8 cf chest freezer and it lasted several months after which time I plugged in to dry the crystals. Took the better part of 18 to 24 hours to return to pink, but working again with no problems.
I did get them a little cheaper than that, but works great. I also place my probe into the White Labs yeast vial filled with water.
Cheers,
KY Dan |
Rob Farrell
Advanced Member
Username: Robf
Post Number: 530
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 173.66.9.133
| | Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 11:02 pm: |
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Another satisfied Eva-Dry user here. Just plugs into the wall for a dry-out every few months. |
Richard Nye
Senior Member
Username: Yeasty_boy
Post Number: 2218
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 136.237.60.105
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 01:38 pm: |
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I just ordered the Eva-Dry. I got tired of replacing the Damp-rid and buying more. Looking forward to using it! Thanks for the tip Kentucky Dan. |
Brews and Views Archive 2009 
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