I "reactivated" my 40 gm silica gel canister by placing it in a 300 degree oven for 3 hours, according to the directions. When I removed it, instead of being a light blue color, the crystals were black and there was a burned smell in the air. What did I do wrong?
The instructions say: 40 Gram Unit: When the blue silica gel beneath the inspection window turns pink, reactivate as follows: Place the unit in a vented 300 degree F oven for at least 3 hours. (or until the silica gel turns blue again). I think the key phrase is: "...until the silica gel turns blue again".
Yes, that's right. It's no big loss. The old saying: "experience is the best teacher", is often true.
I'm kind of surprised, I've never had it happen to me even after 4 hrs. Are you sure about the temp setting you used ? And did you use the center rack of the oven ?
What exactly is "vented" (per the directions posted above)? Crack the door of the over 1/2 inch? Or just the normal oven venting? I have an insane convection oven with a mind of its own that seems to vent automagically when needed via a fan. It's a really expensive oven (came with the house we bought) and it's far more complicated to work that I care for heh (lots of buttons, no dials, and it does random things during the cooking process via sensors).
I'm sure I set the oven at 300 degrees and I did take it out after about 3 hours and 10 minutes. I can't be sure the oven temperature is accurate, however. I used the top rack which is farthest from the heating element.
No, I'm quite sure it was "bake". The way our oven works it wouldn't be easy to mix them up. However, I did incorrectly say that I 'fried' the canister. In truth, I did not use any oil to cook it.
