To Seal or Not - Air Vents On Refilled CLI-8 Cartridges In Storage

[PeterBJ]

Wouldn't trying to get the cartridges perfectly sealed prevent the silica gel from doing its drying job? Maybe the best solution would be to store the dried and unsealed cartridges in a large food type glass jar with a twist-lock lid together with some of these color indicating silicagel cartridges: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrosorbent-...K3E/ref=pd_sim_sbs_misc_5/192-5323211-9947422 ? The new orange type of silica gel is more environmentally friendly than the old type blue gel, as it contains no heavy metal compounds. The indicator tells the condition of the silica gel, and the silica gel cartridges can be regenerated by drying them in an ordinary baking oven at 150C/300F.

I guess the idea of using the silica gel is to keep the cartridges as dry as possible to prevent microbial growth, favoured by humidity? Drying is an old tried and tested way of food preservation.