Odd Question - Storing Pens In Rice

[Betweenthelines]

So living in the tropics in one of the rainiest areas of the U.S. I have some concerns for some of my pens (namely celluloid, ebonite) in the high humidity. My pen case starts to have white mold spots (yes it's that humid). So I was thinking of storing pens in rice. Would that present any issues?

 

Thanks

[kenshiro]

Personally I think you'd be much better off buying a dry box like they use for kayaking etc. (Plano makes good ones) and packaged silica desiccant in bulk, which is relatively inexpensive. Rice not only attracts insects but can, itself, get moldy in humid conditions. It also tends to pulverize down into a starchy powder which makes anything damp sticky.

[Left FPN]

Are the pens inked or void of ink.

[Chrissy]

Like kenshiro says, I would use sealed silica desiccant packs and a dry box too. I assume that would work for empty and inked pens.

[Betweenthelines]

Thanks for the suggestion guys, so this is the same stuff that's in those little packets in some foods, yes? (the DO NOT EAT ones that are oh so tasty)

 

You're right last time I stored some notebooks in rice long term it attracted bugs.

[Chrissy]

Thanks for the suggestion guys, so this is the same stuff that's in those little packets in some foods, yes? (the DO NOT EAT ones that are oh so tasty)

 

 

Yes that's silica desiccant

[Betweenthelines]

Great I'll look into that. I know home depot sells 'damp rid' that are designed for larger spaces, perhaps I could rig something up with those.

[Chrissy]

In fact when I bought my Visconti pen case it came with a pack inside it.

[Left FPN]

If void of ink store them in a vacuum container. The Vacu Vin type used to store coffee beans.

[Chrissy]

If void of ink store them in a vacuum container. The Vacu Vin type used to store coffee beans.

 

That's a good idea too.

[tamiya]

Be careful unless your pens are all metal... wood & rubber don't like bring TOO dry either.

 

DampRid is no good for instruments/cameras in closed spaces. The balls attract water and become a slurry, this can be spilt if the container is knocked over.

 

Silica gel is best for long term storage; I buy it in large jars from photography suppliers. Once damp (goes pink) it can be recharged by baking it in your oven & it turns blue again.