Rice and "Wetness"
Jul 20, 2012 13:01:58 #
We've all heard about the benefits os using rice tro dry out electronics. I'm just writing here to confirm that.
My son's cell phone got wet in the rain and would not work. He removed the battery and put it into a bowl of rice for 24 hours. No good. He left it in for another day. No good. He ordered a new phone. When he took the phone out of the rice after three days, it worked fine. His "wet" phone is over three years old, so he doesn't mind getting the new one.
So if your electronics get wet, don't try to rush the rice.
My son's cell phone got wet in the rain and would not work. He removed the battery and put it into a bowl of rice for 24 hours. No good. He left it in for another day. No good. He ordered a new phone. When he took the phone out of the rice after three days, it worked fine. His "wet" phone is over three years old, so he doesn't mind getting the new one.
So if your electronics get wet, don't try to rush the rice.
Jul 20, 2012 14:19:01 #
dbmaxwell
Loc: Mogadore, Ohio
About a quarter of the time rice will save a water logged piece of equipment forever, and about a quarter of the time it will work for a while. One really big tip to help is don't turn it on and remove the battery if you can, right now. Desiccant works better but unless you know someone that works around equipment like microwave radio it can be a little hard to find. Rice is easier and time is important to the drying process.
A hair dryer on low can help but tends to blow water where it wasn't, rice drys the atmosphere.
A hair dryer on low can help but tends to blow water where it wasn't, rice drys the atmosphere.
jerryc41 wrote:
We've all heard about the benefits os using rice t... (show quote)
Jul 20, 2012 16:20:50 #
Jerry,
Rice is often recommended because it readily available. So is oatmeal. But neither is anywhere near as effective as heat and silica gel packs. They may be better than nothing, but not by much.
A gentle use of a hair dryer is probably the fastest thing most folks have reality available (after drying it with a super thirsty towel).
Ideally, this should be followed by 1 or 2 days in 120 degree F heat (a small lamp with a 25 watt bulb in a suitcase or box works very well.) Add silica get packs and monitor the inside with a digital thermometer. Add a dimmer if it gets too hot - over 120 degrees F.
Silica gel is best for maintaining low humidity versus removing it from within equipment. Remember, the longer water is inside electronics, the more damage it can do. Disassembly and low temperature heat are best.
Rice is often recommended because it readily available. So is oatmeal. But neither is anywhere near as effective as heat and silica gel packs. They may be better than nothing, but not by much.
A gentle use of a hair dryer is probably the fastest thing most folks have reality available (after drying it with a super thirsty towel).
Ideally, this should be followed by 1 or 2 days in 120 degree F heat (a small lamp with a 25 watt bulb in a suitcase or box works very well.) Add silica get packs and monitor the inside with a digital thermometer. Add a dimmer if it gets too hot - over 120 degrees F.
Silica gel is best for maintaining low humidity versus removing it from within equipment. Remember, the longer water is inside electronics, the more damage it can do. Disassembly and low temperature heat are best.
Jul 20, 2012 17:05:03 #
Festina Lente wrote:
Jerry, br Rice is often recommended because it rea... (show quote)
So the microwave is out of the question?
Jul 20, 2012 18:05:09 #
jerryc41 wrote:
So the microwave is out of the question?
So the microwave is out of the question?
:-D Unless it is an old Canon Powershot 600.
Those things need to be put out of their misry as they refuse to die any other way! But I fear the microwave will fail first! :-D
Jul 21, 2012 06:58:14 #
I have found that after taking out the battery, I could place the item in the oven at lowest heat for 15 minutes, out for 15, in for 15, for about an hour and a half. Then let the item cool, replace the battery and use. I had a cell phone that went through a complete wash cycle. Wound up working fine. A microwave will generate sparks from metal in the item as well as potentially melt the plastic. Excellent way of putting something out of their misery. LOL
Jul 21, 2012 07:15:32 #
heat is not the way to go, you cam harm the circuits. the best way to handle it is to place it on instant rice like the 5 min stuff.. look on the web they do not recommend the use of forced heat. just what i have read and used to fix a wet cell. hope this helps:-}
Jul 21, 2012 07:43:54 #
Don't know if the forced heat comment was directed to me or not, however, placing the cell in the oven at low heat (<200F) does not involve forced heat as does a hair dryer. The temp is not hot enough to melt or damage any of the circuits and the increased temp above room temperature causes the water to evaporate (not boil) more quickly. Have done this successfully as have others. The key is low heat for a short period of time.
Jul 21, 2012 07:48:07 #
Jul 21, 2012 08:03:55 #
For those in the US - I got silca gel packs at the local Lowes.
Jul 21, 2012 08:06:09 #
BboH wrote:
For those in the US - I got silca gel packs at the local Lowes.
I save them from all the packages I get that have them.
Jul 21, 2012 08:11:45 #
dlwhawaii wrote:
Don't know if the forced heat comment was directed to me or not, however, placing the cell in the oven at low heat (<200F) does not involve forced heat as does a hair dryer. The temp is not hot enough to melt or damage any of the circuits and the increased temp above room temperature causes the water to evaporate (not boil) more quickly. Have done this successfully as have others. The key is low heat for a short period of time.
ment to hit reply not quote. i was talking about the hair dryer it is not a good thing. sorry to quote you lol it was a booboo ooops:-}
Jul 21, 2012 09:17:39 #
He should have used "Minute Rice".
:D :D
jerryc41 wrote:
We've all heard about the benefits os using rice t... (show quote)
:D :D
Jul 21, 2012 09:40:56 #
AUminer wrote:
He should have used "Minute Rice". quot... (show quote)
I was afraid he had used the 90-second microwave rice we had. :D
Jul 21, 2012 10:46:29 #
Trial-n-Error
Loc: Tacoma, Washington
I have had good luck placing a wet electronic device above a low wattage incandescent light bulb. For example a 15 or 25 watt bulb in a lamp with the wet device balanced on the shade frame above it.
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