[meteorite-list] Great Desiccant Containers for Meteorites!

From: Mike Bandli <fuzzfoot_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:26:58 -0800
Message-ID: <20081123202706.D84E010543_at_mailwash5.pair.com>

If you are one of those collectors who are obsessed with baking desiccant
every other month to keep your meteorites dry, then you understand what a
pain in the rear it can be. I have found some great containers for storing
desiccant, which can also be used in cabinets to aid in display. These tin
canisters have mesh sides, which allow moisture to be absorbed by the
desiccant inside. They are also easy to remove and safe for
baking/reactivating your desiccant in the oven. The only thing you need to
buy is some cheap, bulk desiccant. I use Engelhard desiccant as it dries the
quickest in the oven and comes in large Tyvek bags. The Tyvek is nice, but
the glue holding the bag closed only lasts one or two bakes. Just pour the
desiccant into your new mesh container. There are several sources online for
these empty containers. Here is a couple:

http://tinyurl.com/6gdv5k

or

http://tinyurl.com/6h4hon


You can use the low profile tins to hide under riker boxes or the square to
elevating display pieces. If you do it right, then you can really dress up
your meteorite display without noticing the containers.

Another company was smart and actually sells these same tins (with desiccant
included) for gun safes, but it is much cheaper if you buy the empty tins
and fill yourself.

Keep in mind that moisture will rise to the top of your display cabinet when
those warm lights are on. For this reason I find it best to keep the larger
containers on the top shelf. By using this method I am able to maintain a Rh
of ~20%. I live in the Northwest, so 20% is a major accomplishment here.

Hope this helps!

Mike Bandli

PS. Or you can just move to Tucson where the air is dry and meteorites are
plentiful : )
Received on Sun 23 Nov 2008 03:26:58 PM PST