Silica Gel packets for storage usage?

[The_4th_Survivor]

Hi all.

I'm sure that all of us game collectors are a bit worried when it comes to our game collections staying in as pristine condition as possible, so I have a question that hopefully no one thinks is strange:

Are there any long term effects from using "silica gel" packets for storage usage on video game items?

Specifically, if I wanted to put silica gel packets in the boxes that carried cartridges, consoles and even those newer DVD style snap cases, will that possibly damage the contents?

They have these silica gel packets packed in with food items and clothes, so I personally don't see a problem with using them, but I just wanted to get the opinions, expertise and technical knowledge of this community.

Asking a question like this at gamefaqs or cheapassgamer would probably yield undesired results.

Thanks.

[Bratwurst]

They're generally harmless and are used for long term storage with delicate electronics all the time. When I receive a large order of eprom/flash chips from a supplier they are shipped in static bags with sillica packs inside. Some of these packs are over five years old and I have no problem using those chips. You might have noticed PC video cards come with one as well.

You probably want to buy sillica packs that aren't rated food grade or were already used with food products, and will have to 'recharge' them in the oven at a low temperature for a period of time every 6 months or so. Also, try to avoid letting the packs actually touch anything because it's possible that they might stain plastic if left too long. Now I'm not certain about this, because the material used to house the actual sillica granules could vary, but it never hurts to be cautious. Left alone in a drawer with some video game carts and CDs, no problem.

[The_4th_Survivor]

Thank you for the detailed response and input, Bratwurst.

I actually went ahead and put some of the packets in my PS2 game cases as well as some of the older cardboard laden games. I'll try to see what other things I can put these into as I check out my collection.

I wonder if I'm being overly cautious for wanting to put these in (out of all things) my N-Gage game cases..... We'll see. :P

[scorch56]

They're called "dessicant paks" where I work (food industry) 9 times out of 10 "food grade" dessicant packs are the kind filled with absorbent clay rather than silica. I don't believe that silica gel is toxic (I could be wrong) in small quantities.. but I believe the food industry just uses clay ones because clay SOUNDS better than silica if you find it in something you're eating. having said that.. I'm actually sitting here right now looking at a "oxygen absorber" packet that fell out of a pack of jerky I was eating. It's got a plastic casing rather than a paper one.. dessicant packs absorb moisture.. but I'm not sure of the purpose of an oxygen absorber except to maybe retard spoilage (It does say "do not microwave" on it.). If you're worried about silica.. use clay.

In my B&S forum post where I'm selling my lot I have pictures of the barrels I store my games and electronic equipment in. These are actually the barrels we get our dessicant in (We use literally thousands upon thousands.. each day). Although I don't put dessicant in them.. they're super dry because of their nature.. plus they have metal ring-seals on each barrel (w/ a rubber gasket) to keep moisture OUT of them. If you could find somebody who disposes of these things.. they're the best.

[The_4th_Survivor]

Thanks for the additional information regarding the silica gel/dessicant packets. I had no idea that there were different kinds made from so many other materials such as clay.

As for those barrels that you use, I would have never thought of using something like an airtight barrel to store my games and electronic equipment in. That's a great idea. I can bet that kind of setup would be very useful in a part of the country that possibly gets flooded with water from time to time.

[scorch56]

Thanks for the additional information regarding the silica gel/dessicant packets. I had no idea that there were different kinds made from so many other materials such as clay.

As for those barrels that you use, I would have never thought of using something like an airtight barrel to store my games and electronic equipment in. That's a great idea. I can bet that kind of setup would be very useful in a part of the country that possibly gets flooded with water from time to time.

They wouldn't be good for floods. The wall of the barrel is made of about 1/4" solid cardboard (as opposed to corrugated) and eventually water would soak through.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a315/emdeesee/dessicant.jpg


They are airtight though and that locking band on top has a hasp on it as well so one can put a real lock on it. These things are tough though (I can stand on them - 200 lbs) and another nice feature is that the shape of the metal lids lets them nest on top of each other quite nicely. That's actually my bed mattress sitting on top of them on the right (I use 12 for a platform) and the two pictured are my "ottoman" for kicking back and putting my feet up when I watch TV or play games.

As I recall.. 15,000 clay packets come in each barrel. If you have a factory nearby that deals with candy, nuts, popcorn.. anything of that sort.. they should have some empty ones lying around.

[The_4th_Survivor]

I've seen those barrels before at a place I used to deliver for. They were used for storing sawdust/absorbing material. Similar to what you would use to soak up an oil spill on the cement, etc. .

Those are some sturdy barrels. That's also a good idea on how you put them underneath your mattress. I could definitely use some of those for my room.