Rice really does work on a wet Iphone

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2012-08-28 9:00 AM

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Master
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Western MA near the VT & NH border on the CT river
Subject: Rice really does work on a wet Iphone

To make swimming a little less monotonous, I got a waterproof pouch for an old 3G that I now use as an Ipod.  Well something happened when I took it out of the pouch and it got wet.  The ipod stopped playing and the screen started to fizzle.  Done.

So first think I did was get a hair dryer set on low and tried to dry it out.  No luck it wouldnt turn on.  This is where many people make a mistake - Do not plug it in.  A charge running through it could cause more damage.  It needs to dry out more so I placed it in a bow of rice for 3 days and this morning I plugged it in, it took a charge and is working.  So far everything seem to be in working order.

2012-08-28 9:45 AM
in reply to: #4383855

Master
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Subject: RE: Rice really does work on a wet Iphone

A bowl of rice is like magic for wet electronics.  My son washed his Nintendo DS.  He's not quite as dumb as he sounds.  He had peanut butter on his hands and his sister, who is very allergic to peanuts, was going to play with it later. 

 

Bowl of white rice and 12 hours and it works. 

2012-08-28 10:11 AM
in reply to: #4383855

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Champion
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Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: Rice really does work on a wet Iphone
You probably still should have it taken in to be cleaned.  It's the residue the water leaves behind that actually slowly deteriorates the electronics inside....
2012-08-28 10:30 AM
in reply to: #4383855

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Rice really does work on a wet Iphone

At least you tried to put it in a waterproof pouch.  My 17 year old son went swimming in a lake for over an hour before he realized he forgot his brand new iPhone was in his swim trunks pocket.  /facepalm

The rice just laughed at his phone by the time he got home.

2012-08-28 10:55 AM
in reply to: #4383855

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Master
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Subject: RE: Rice really does work on a wet Iphone

Dehydrator. That will work too.

Dissassemble in to as many pieces as possible and cook on low for a couple hours. Rotate the parts, and continue cooking. I've saved many pieces before by doing that.

2012-08-30 12:57 PM
in reply to: #4384143

Iron Donkey
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Subject: RE: Rice really does work on a wet Iphone
LostSheep - 2012-08-28 10:55 AM

Dehydrator. That will work too.

Dissassemble in to as many pieces as possible and cook on low for a couple hours. Rotate the parts, and continue cooking. I've saved many pieces before by doing that.

iPhone jerky?  Probably doesn't taste very good.



2012-08-30 1:55 PM
in reply to: #4383855

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: Rice really does work on a wet Iphone
Saved my phone for about 3 months and then it crapped out..
2012-08-30 2:56 PM
in reply to: #4388500

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Sensei
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Subject: RE: Rice really does work on a wet Iphone

OK, the rice and the dehydrater and I even heard an oven on low with the door open...  These dry it out.

So my question is.  Why these instead of just letting it dry out in the open air?  If all they do is dry, I guess it's the speed in which they dry that makes it work?  Maybe they don't work, but we think they do, and we just get lucky when we turn them on we attribute it to the rice...

I have a nagging feeling it's urban legend.  But sure would be happy if there really was something to it.



Edited by Kido 2012-08-30 2:57 PM
2012-08-30 3:04 PM
in reply to: #4388643

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Rice really does work on a wet Iphone
Kido - 2012-08-30 12:56 PM

OK, the rice and the dehydrater and I even heard an oven on low with the door open...  These dry it out.

So my question is.  Why these instead of just letting it dry out in the open air?  If all they do is dry, I guess it's the speed in which they dry that makes it work?  Maybe they don't work, but we think they do, and we just get lucky when we turn them on we attribute it to the rice...

I have a nagging feeling it's urban legend.  But sure would be happy if there really was something to it.

I assume rice is a dessicant (like the stuff in the little bags you get in the box with new electronics) and 'sucks up' the moisture.

2012-08-30 3:12 PM
in reply to: #4388653

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Master
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Western MA near the VT & NH border on the CT river
Subject: RE: Rice really does work on a wet Iphone
mjr66 - 2012-08-30 4:04 PM
Kido - 2012-08-30 12:56 PM

OK, the rice and the dehydrater and I even heard an oven on low with the door open...  These dry it out.

So my question is.  Why these instead of just letting it dry out in the open air?  If all they do is dry, I guess it's the speed in which they dry that makes it work?  Maybe they don't work, but we think they do, and we just get lucky when we turn them on we attribute it to the rice...

I have a nagging feeling it's urban legend.  But sure would be happy if there really was something to it.

I assume rice is a dessicant (like the stuff in the little bags you get in the box with new electronics) and 'sucks up' the moisture.

 

Yes. thats pretty much it.  Rice basically keeps the moisture out and sucks up whats available, even little bits in between small spaces (like electronics)  

If you live on the coast, its common practice to put rice in salt to keep the moisture from clumping the salt together.  



Edited by ratherbesnowboarding 2012-08-30 3:13 PM
2012-08-30 3:12 PM
in reply to: #4383855

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Master
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Subject: RE: Rice really does work on a wet Iphone
Absolutely no 'facts' to add.....but rice has renewed my Garmin 305!

2012-08-30 3:34 PM
in reply to: #4383855

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Rice really does work on a wet Iphone

Yup, rice is a desiccant.  You can use any kind of desiccant like what comes in electronic boxes and such but rice is by far the most convenient desiccant available.

I'm not sure of the science behind it, but leaving water to just evaporate takes a fair amount of time so corrosion can set in and you also get the water spots that remain after evaporation which I'm guessing could cause the electrical properties of a chip to change or possibly short out.

So the rice (or any other desiccant) draws the water out quickly so it doesn't corrode anything or leave a residue.

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