Review and internal look at a “rechargeable” silica gel dehumidifier.04:33

This is a look inside a generic rechargeable silica gel dehumidifier block designed to absorb the moisture from the air in enclosed spaces like electrical enclosures, cupboards and safes. It’s basically a box filled with silica gel desiccant beads and a heater plate so that it can be recharged by plugging it in so the heat drives the moisture back out of the gel.
Note that when it’s recharging it does liberate a modest quantity of water vapour so it should be done in an area where that is not an issue, like a kitchen.
When I opened this unit I discovered that all the silica gel is loose and it pours EVERYWHERE when you separate the case halves.
Silica gel is a hard granular desiccant that is hygroscopic, meaning that it readily absorbs moisture from the air.