Creative Uses for Silica Gel Beyond Its Purpose as a Desiccant
December 5, 2010 10:52 AM Subscribe
What crafty or creative things can be done with silica gel that have nothing to do with its original intended purpose as a desiccant (a.k.a. reducing moisture)?
I thought maybe it could be melted down and formed into other shapes, or other crafty and/or creative things.
I thought maybe it could be melted down and formed into other shapes, or other crafty and/or creative things.
Response by poster: Well, by "or other crafty and/or creative things" I meant things that didn't involve melting. ;)
posted by purefusion at 11:02 AM on December 5, 2010
posted by purefusion at 11:02 AM on December 5, 2010
I have a few teeny tiny chairs in my life. I use Silica Gel packets as little throw pillows. They are perfect.
posted by kate blank at 11:47 AM on December 5, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by kate blank at 11:47 AM on December 5, 2010 [5 favorites]
I thought maybe it could be melted down and formed into other shapes
Silica gel melts around 1600C. This is not a temperature you are going to achieve at home.
posted by ssg at 11:55 AM on December 5, 2010
Silica gel melts around 1600C. This is not a temperature you are going to achieve at home.
posted by ssg at 11:55 AM on December 5, 2010
You can use silica gel to dry and preserve flowers.
posted by kitty teeth at 12:15 PM on December 5, 2010
posted by kitty teeth at 12:15 PM on December 5, 2010
The electric company did weatherization at my place. They gave a bunch of tips on how to take it further. One of the recommendations was to put silica packets in places where condensation collects. It slurps up the moisture in the air, thus less mildew. Working great so far.
I was told that when they feel heavier, time to give 'em a brief heating in the microwave until they're lightweight again. (Ahem. That part is how I learned that the wrappers are not nearly as heat resistant as the gel. Lower power setting next time. Or remove the wrappers.)
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 9:36 AM on December 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
I was told that when they feel heavier, time to give 'em a brief heating in the microwave until they're lightweight again. (Ahem. That part is how I learned that the wrappers are not nearly as heat resistant as the gel. Lower power setting next time. Or remove the wrappers.)
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 9:36 AM on December 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Good to know about the microwave heating to remove already-collected moisture. I've already removed mine from their wrappers. I had collected tons of them, and decided to empty all but the coolest looking wrappers.
Seems no one has yet to think of anything outside of the realm of absorbancy.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned anything such as "projectile" ...granted it isn't necessarily crafty to use them as such, but now I wonder if they might make decent replacements for BBs, or maybe just shoot em out of a straw or something. Juvenile, I know. But hey, at least it's something beyond the realm of absorbancy, eh?
posted by purefusion at 12:12 AM on December 7, 2010
Seems no one has yet to think of anything outside of the realm of absorbancy.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned anything such as "projectile" ...granted it isn't necessarily crafty to use them as such, but now I wonder if they might make decent replacements for BBs, or maybe just shoot em out of a straw or something. Juvenile, I know. But hey, at least it's something beyond the realm of absorbancy, eh?
posted by purefusion at 12:12 AM on December 7, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
I don't know about using silica gel for an art project. It generally irritates the eyes and the throat, so how much fun would it be to melt down in your kitchen? If not your kitchen, are you going to install a fan in your garage to vent possible toxic gases?
posted by KokuRyu at 10:56 AM on December 5, 2010