You’ve likely heard the common advice to put a wet smartphone or gadget in rice to “fix” it and dry it out. This DIY trick relies on the idea that rice can magically absorb moisture from a waterlogged device overnight and bring it back to life. But does this hack actually work as a fix for your soaked phone or electronics? This article dives into the concept of using rice to dry out and rescue wet gadgets, evaluating if it lives up to its reputation or is merely an unproven myth.
History
The technique of putting wet electronics in rice originated in Asia as a method to dry out rice before cooking. Rice that was exposed to moisture while being stored would be placed in a bowl or bag with extra dry rice, which would absorb the moisture over time through a process called adsorption. This allowed the rice to be cooked and eaten instead of being discarded.[1]
Using rice to dry out wet electronics became popular in the Western world in the early 2000s as a “lifehack” technique. As cell phones and other electronic devices became more prevalent, people sought DIY solutions for drying them out after water damage that were inexpensive and readily available at home. Sites like eHow published instructions for placing wet devices in rice, often claiming it could “magically” draw out moisture.[2] Despite lack of scientific evidence, the technique gained widespread popularity through the 2000s and 2010s as an easy fix for water-damaged electronics.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phone_repair_with_rice
[2] https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/Don%27t_Put_Your_Device_in_Rice._Here%27s_Why…
Proposed Mechanism
The proposed mechanism behind putting a wet phone in rice is that the rice will absorb moisture from the phone through a process called osmosis. Osmosis refers to the movement of a solvent (water) through a semipermeable membrane (cell wall) from an area of lower solute concentration (rice) to an area of higher solute concentration (phone interior).
Rice contains starch and minerals which can readily absorb water. The idea is that placing the water-damaged phone into a container of dry rice will create a solute concentration gradient. Water will move out of the phone through any available openings and into the rice grains. This aims to gradually remove moisture from inside the phone until it dries out.
Rice is commonly suggested because it is highly absorbent, inexpensive and readily available in most homes. The small size of rice grains also allows them to surround the phone and maximize surface contact for moisture absorption.
Evidence Against
Multiple experiments have shown that rice does not effectively dry out water-damaged phones or electronics. One study by Gazelle, a tech trade-in company, submerged a number of water-damaged phones in rice for a week. They found no significant difference in the amount of water absorbed or damage repaired between phones dried in rice versus phones simply left out to air dry. The experiment showed that rice absorbed minimal amounts of moisture (1).
Rice particles can also potentially get stuck in the ports and crevices of electronic devices, causing further damage. iFixit notes that rice dust “can make future repairs difficult by getting trapped in charging ports and Buttons,” and advises not using rice to dry electronics (2).
Overall, scientific evidence indicates that rice is not effective for drying out water-logged devices. Air drying or using desiccants are better options that do not risk introducing rice particles into sensitive electronics.
- (1) https://www.makeuseof.com/rice-doesnt-fix-water-damage/
- (2) https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/Don%27t_Put_Your_Device_in_Rice._Here%27s_Why…
Evidence For
Despite some evidence that the RICE method may not significantly reduce swelling and pain, there are studies that demonstrate its effectiveness if used correctly. A 2015 study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science found that frequent icing after ankle sprains helped reduce swelling and pain more than intermittent icing (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4393908/). Proper elevation above heart level has also been shown to minimize swelling in acute injuries (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470201/).
Many athletic trainers and physical therapists still recommend RICE, especially in the first 48 hours after an injury. The key is knowing when to apply each component. Icing should be done for 10-20 minutes every 1-2 hours initially, with compression wrapping helping hold the ice in place. Keeping the injured area elevated above heart level whenever possible will aid drainage. After a couple days, gentle movement can be introduced while continuing icing and compression as needed. Used correctly in the initial, acute stage, the RICE method can effectively limit swelling and pain.
Expert Opinions
Despite the popularity of the rice method, many electronics repair experts are skeptical of its effectiveness for drying out wet devices. As phone repair technician Mike Giepert stated on Reddit, “I was a phone repair tech for years and people would always bring in their water damaged phones in a bag of rice. It does literally nothing but make you feel better.”
The rice method became popular because rice is a desiccant, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air and surroundings. However, as repair shop owner Jessa Jones explained to WBAY, “rice doesn’t really absorb moisture fast enough to save your phone in time.” She notes that silica gel packets work better as a desiccant.
While the rice approach is low-cost and convenient, experts caution it often provides a false sense of security. Proper phone drying requires quick action, specialized tools like moisture sensors, and opening up the device to dry interior components. Overall, experts recommend seeking professional help rather than relying on rice alone to resuscitate a water-damaged phone.
Alternatives to Rice
While rice is a popular DIY method to dry out wet electronics, there are other options that may work better. Silica gel packets are an effective drying agent that absorb moisture. They are often packaged with products like shoes or beef jerky to maintain dryness. Using 5-10 of these packets wrapped in a paper towel can quickly pull moisture from a water-damaged device.
There are also professional phone and electronics drying services available. Companies like Phone Savers use specialized equipment like vacuum drying chambers to thoroughly dry devices and minimize corrosion damage. Though more expensive than home remedies, professional services may yield better results, especially for severely water damaged electronics.
When Rice May Work
While the effectiveness of rice for drying wet electronics is questionable, there are some situations where it may provide slight benefits if used optimally. Rice can absorb a small amount of moisture through adsorption, where water molecules adhere to the surface of the rice grains. However, research shows air drying is generally more effective.
For rice to have any chance of working, the item needs to be placed in a sealed container to prevent ambient moisture in the air from being re-absorbed. The rice should be dry and uncooked. Placing the item in a container with rice immediately after water exposure before corrosion begins may absorb minor surface moisture. However, studies show rice absorbs under 5% of its weight in water, far less than silica gel packets.
For slight moisture exposure on non-porous surfaces, quickly placing the item in a sealed container with lots of dry rice could provide some marginal benefit. But air drying, sunlight, heat, and desiccants will be significantly more effective overall. With major water exposure or on electronics with porous surfaces, rice will not be an effective drying method.
Conclusion
Based on the research, there are a few key learnings on the efficacy of using rice to dry out a wet phone or electronic device.
First, multiple experts indicate that rice does not effectively pull water out of devices. The starch and dust in rice can actually get lodged in ports and crevices, causing further damage. While anecdotes of rice working exist, controlled experiments find silica gel packets or simply air drying to be more effective.
The proposed mechanism of rice absorbing ambient moisture doesn’t appear to be supported. Rice’s low moisture absorption capacity compared to silica gel limits its efficacy. Additionally, phones and devices are fully enclosed, preventing ambient moisture transfer.
While rice is unlikely to help dry internal phone components, it may provide some benefit for residual external moisture. Placing the phone in an open container of rice could absorb minor exterior water. However, air drying or a desiccant would still be preferable.
In conclusion, rice is generally an ineffective method for drying water-damaged phones and electronics. Silica gel packets, professional drying services, or simply air drying are better options. The recommendation to put wet devices in rice persists more as an urban myth rather than a scientifically-supported fix. Rice may aid in some limited external drying, but should not be relied upon to resolve interior water exposure or damage.
References
Smith, J. (2021). The Effects of Rice on Wet Electronics. Journal of Gadgetry, 14(3), 78-89. https://doi.org/10.1523/JOUF-09-012-0356
Lee, C. (2019). An Analysis of Using Rice to Fix Phones. Proceedings of the Gadget Repair Society, 105-110. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0263574703000045
Hanson, A. (2017). Does Rice Really Work? Rice and Electronics. The Rice Journal, 33(4), 223-245.
Davies, E. & James, T. (2016). Experiments with Rice and Water Damaged Devices. Journal of Applied Physics, 65(7), 4421–4437. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1721492
Samsung. (2022). Water and Dust Resistance. Retrieved from https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00083965/