Klarinet Archive - Posting 000316.txt from 1996/11

From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Cleaning Vandoren Reed Guard
Date: Fri, 15 Nov 1996 10:55:03 -0500

>David Blumberg wrote:
>
>>Also, heat up the crystals with a hair dryer to dry them out- they sometimes
>>give off too much moisture. And last of all, make sure that your reeds are
>>wiped off (excess moisture) before you put them in the case. I remove the
>>crystals, or even take off the top in the summer.
>
>The crystals *attract* the moisture from the reeds, much like those cheap
>buckets of crystals you can put in your closet to "dehumidify" it. So,
>unless they have a great deal of excess moisture (which happens here in
>Richmond, humidity capital of the world!), they wouldn't "give off"
>moisture.
>
>So, the hair dryer is a great idea - thanks David!
>
>David Niethamer

I've never seen one of these cases, so forgive the stupid question:
Out of curiosity, what are the "crystals" packaged in? I ask
because in the lab we sometimes regenerate dessicants by putting them in
the oven to dry. Of course, you have to make sure that the container is
not made of something that will melt! If your "crystals" (any idea what
they are? Are they granular?) can be removed from the container, you may
be able to just spread them out on a piece of aluminum foil in the oven (on
a cookie sheet), then pour them back into the case after they've cooled.
This might do a better job than a hair dryer (though the hair dryer IS a
clever idea and probably more practical!).
Or, you can forget all about it and just make the cookies! (MY
preference!)

-Scott

Scott D. Morrow
Department of Biochemistry
School of Hygiene and Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
(410)-955-3631

SDM@-----.edu

   
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