2mo ago

CNC Kitchen – What is the best way to dry your desiccant? (microwave)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tHInlFfMcM

I'm surprised Stephan did not mention that bentonite clay is commonly used for cat litter.

19 comments

I wish it was more common to add the answer when a title is a question. Don't withhold information to make me consume your content
- I enabled deArrow in my Smarttube installation, and it gave me the title as something like "Dry your dessicant before you use it."

I use industrial silicagel granules that I buy in 5-liter jugs. The granules are blue when dry and turn purple/red when they no longer absorbs humidity. Then I throw them in the microwave for 5 minutes and the granules turn blue again - and scalding hot too.
It's not perfect because it gradually turns more and more silicagel granules to dust as they explode like popcorn. So after maybe 10 to 15 cycles, the silicagel becomes ineffective and the blue granules turn more and more to brown, Then it's time to throw it away and use a fresh batch.
It's possible to extend the life of the granules by drying them in a regular oven at low heat rather than in the microwave at full pelt but it's slow and annoying, and silicagel isn't that expensive, so I don't bother.
- The blue comes from Cobalt Chloride, a very toxic substance. I'd keep that microwave separate from your food. Same with any ovens and dryers you use.
- I read somewhere, that the dye is either poisonous or carcinogenic (sorry, no source, I have to search for it again). So I am not sure if putting it in the microwave is the best idea.
  
  Some (usually cheaper) indicating desiccants use cobalt-based dies which are fairly toxic, but unless you are using them to keep food dry it's not a huge issue. Having them break into powder in the microwave probably isn't great though, I'd avoid breathing any of it in
  
  It's in the linked video
  
  I wasn't aware. I'll look into that. Thanks!
- the granules are blue when dry and turn purple/red when they no longer absorbs humidity.
  Don't buy those. Orange gel is the "new" blue.
  The reason why the blue gel was phased out decade(s) ago is the CoCl2. Along all of the hazards are H350i and H360F (cancer and reproduction [aka. your plan to have kids might not turn out that great]).
  While orange gel doesn't have as good of a color change it is significantly lower risk and shall be used.
  
  the blue gel was phased out decade(s) ago
  But I can still buy it?
  Good advice though. That's why I come to Lemmy: I learn useful stuff all the time.
- The video specifically calls that method out as dangerous and toxic.
  Microwave is fastest but you've gotta do it at an extremely low power setting and he recommends not using it with a food microwave
  
  not using it with a food microwave
  The microwave sits in the workshop and is not for cooking food. It's strictly to do nasty stuff with materials I work with.
- Perhaps microwaving for significantly longer, at a low power level, would be safer and result in higher success/yield?
  
  That's what I do, never noticed the balls exploding. It takes about 20 minutes, but that's the microwave's time, not mine.

I moved and my new oven overshoots like crazy on low temperatures, so I can no longer use it to dry filaments. I bought creality’s dryer and so far Im rather happy with it. It is rather noisy but does the job and feeds the filament directly to the printer.

19 comments