How often do you replace silica gel?

[lucaspalm]

Hi,

I have a simple question about silica gel / moisture absorbers used for storing camera gear.

How often do you usually replace or regenerate them?

Is it based on time, color indicator, or storage conditions?

Just asking for general practice.

Thanks.

[Les Olson]

Silica gel only absorbs about 25% of its own weight in water. At 30 degrees C, the maximum water capacity of air is about 30g per kg and the density of air is 1.22 kg/m3. So if you have 0.1 m3 of storage to protect, you need to absorb 0.122 x 30 = 3.7 g of water, so you need 15 g of silica gel.

I use a dry cabinet. It is much more effective and cheaper in the long run.

[David H. Hartman]

Most silica gel beads have indicator beads, frequently blue when the silica gel is dry and ready to use. I bake silica gel at the lowest heat my kitchen oven offers.

Best,

Dave

[Amanda_Hong]

I’ve noticed the same thing with older Nikon gear - sometimes the files still have a really unique look that newer cameras don’t fully replicate. A lot of it probably comes down to color rendering and the way those sensors handled light. It’s kind of cool that some older bodies are becoming “character cameras” now instead of just outdated tech.

[rs]

I have a simple question about silica gel / moisture absorbers used for storing camera gear.

How often do you usually replace or regenerate them?

I have a small humidity meter that I periodically place in my lens storage container, usually as I'm taking lenses out to use. When I come back to store them again, if the reading on the meter isn't significantly lower than ambient, I'll know it's time to regenerate the gel packs.

The attached shows the Wisesorb product and reactivation requires three hours at 120 degrees C.