You’ve likely heard the common advice that placing a water-damaged phone or other electronic device in rice can help “fix” it by drawing moisture out of the device. This belief has become prevalent, with many peopledefaulting to putting their gadgets in containers of rice when they get wet, hoping the rice will work its magic.
But does rice actually absorb water from electronics? Is this a tried-and-true fix, or is it simply an unfounded myth? In this article, we’ll explore the science behind using rice to dry out electronics, examining whether it truly works or if it may actually cause more harm than good.
The Science Behind Drying Rice
Rice is able to absorb moisture through a scientific process called diffusion. Diffusion is when molecules spread from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached, as illustrated by the salt in water demonstration. For diffusion to happen, there needs to be a concentration gradient.
When dry rice is exposed to moisture in the air or from a wet object like a phone, there is a higher concentration of water molecules on the phone and in the surrounding air compared to the concentration inside the dry rice grains. This concentration gradient triggers diffusion, causing the water molecules to spread into the rice grains which have less moisture.
The rice is able to absorb and trap the water molecules because it contains starch. Starch is a long polymer molecule made up of glucose units bonded together. The abundant hydroxyl groups on the starch molecules are able to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, allowing the moisture to get “stuck” within the rice grains [1].
As more water diffuses into the rice, equilibrium is eventually reached where the moisture content in the rice and in the air or wet object becomes equal. This is how putting electronics in rice can help draw moisture away through the process of diffusion.
Does Rice Actually Absorb Water from Electronics?
There have been several studies that have tested the effectiveness of using rice to dry out wet electronics. A 2015 study published in The Verge found that leaving a waterlogged phone out in the open air resulted in slightly more water evaporating than leaving it buried in rice. The study concluded that “rice is no more effective at drying your phone than doing nothing at all.”
A more extensive 2018 study by Dr. Sam Westreich published on Medium also tested the ability of rice to dry phones. This study systematically measured the drying capabilities of rice compared to simply leaving the phone out. The results showed that “rice absorbs less than 5% of the water in a phone over 2 days.” Dr. Westreich concludes that rice does not meaningfully accelerate the drying of electronics.
Overall, controlled experiments find little evidence that rice absorbs significant moisture from wet electronics. Leaving devices powered off and open to the air seems just as effective for drying as submerging them in rice. While the rice technique is well-known, scientific testing shows it provides minimal benefit.
Factors Impacting Drying Ability
There are several key factors that impact the ability of rice to absorb moisture from wet electronics:
Ambient Temperature: Rice is able to absorb more moisture in warmer temperatures. The warmer the temperature, the more moisture rice can pull from wet devices. Ideal temperatures for using rice to dry electronics range from 70-90°F. Cooler temperatures below 60°F will limit rice’s drying abilities.
Humidity: The lower the ambient humidity, the more effective rice will be at absorbing moisture. Dry air allows rice to pull moisture from wet electronics more efficiently. High humidity can hinder this process. Target relative humidity below 50% if using rice to dry devices.
Air Circulation: Good air flow facilitates moisture removal and allows rice to keep absorbing water. Stagnant air prevents moisture from dissipating. Use a container with ventilation holes if drying electronics in rice. Adding a fan to circulate air can also aid the drying process.
Rice that is fresh and dry, warm ambient temperatures around 70-90°F, low humidity, and good air circulation provide ideal conditions for using rice to dry wet electronics. Avoid cold temperatures, stagnant air, and high humidity when attempting this drying method.
Alternatives to Rice
While rice has traditionally been used to try to absorb moisture from wet electronics, there are other more effective options available. Silica gel, desiccant packs, and dedicated drying tools are all specifically designed to extract moisture safely.
Silica gel is made of silicon dioxide and is extremely porous, allowing it to absorb 40% of its weight in water. Many shoeboxes and food packaging contain silica gel packets. These can be reused to dry out wet devices by placing the packets around the device in a sealed container. The silica gel will absorb the moisture without leaving behind any rice dust or particles (Wired).
Desiccant packs also use silica gel or clay as drying agents. They are designed to keep contents dry and can be purchased for the specific purpose of device drying. These dedicated desiccant packs are often reusable and color indicating, so you know when they are saturated and need to be dried out (CNET).
There are also tools made specifically for drying out wet devices, like dry boxes or bead-filled drying kits. These are designed to safely draw moisture out of the device without causing any additional issues.
Tips for Using Rice
If you do decide to use rice to try to dry out a wet electronic device, here are some tips to optimize the process:
Bury the device fully in rice. Make sure it is completely surrounded and submerged in rice, so the rice can absorb moisture from all sides. According to experts at iFixit, partially submerging the device in rice can actually cause more harm as moisture gets trapped inside [1].
Allow 1-3 days drying time. Most sources recommend leaving the device in rice for at least 24 hours. For very wet devices, leaving it for 2-3 days gives the rice more time to slowly extract moisture [2].
Use fresh, dry rice. Make sure the rice has not already absorbed moisture from the environment. Some people recommend uncooked white rice or silica gel packets [3].
When to Avoid Rice
While rice may seem like an easy solution for drying out wet electronics, there are certain situations where it should be avoided altogether. According to Don’t Put Your Device in Rice. Here’s Why, rice should not be used in cases of severe water damage, corrosion, or faulty electronics.
If your device was fully submerged in water or exposed to water for an extended period, the internal components may be too damaged for rice to provide any meaningful drying or recovery. Corrosion can begin immediately when electronics come into contact with water, so quick action is required. However, rice is a slow, passive drying method. Fast-acting desiccants or immediate disassembly and cleaning are better solutions for severe water exposure.
Faulty electronics or shorts can also mean rice will be ineffective. If water has reached sensitive internal components and caused shorts or electrical damage, the device will require repairs beyond just drying out. In these cases, rice cannot fix the underlying problems. It is best to take the device to a qualified repair shop immediately instead of losing valuable time with rice.
The bottom line is that rice has limitations and cannot reverse serious water damage. When electronics are completely soaked or no longer functional after water exposure, avoid rice and seek professional help right away.
Precautions When Drying
There are some important precautions to take when drying out electronics. Perhaps most importantly, you’ll want to turn off the device and remove any batteries before starting the drying process [1]. Leaving a device powered on could short circuit and cause permanent damage. Batteries should also be taken out, as any moisture inside the battery compartment could further corrode and ruin them.
During drying, it’s critical to monitor the device for signs of overheating. Excess heat could damage sensitive electronic components. If using rice or another desiccant, check the device frequently to see if it feels abnormally warm. Stop the drying process if any worrisome heat is detected.
Proper precautions allow for safe drying that gives electronics the best chance of being revived after water exposure.
Signs of Successful Drying
There are a few key signs that indicate a phone or other electronic device is fully dry and safe to use after water exposure.
The most obvious sign is that the device will power on and function normally. If it boots up with no issues, responds to touch and buttons as expected, and shows no error messages, that is a good indication the inside components are dry.
Closely inspect the screen and other openings like speakers, buttons, and ports. There should be no condensation or moisture visible in these areas. Foggy or blurred areas likely mean residual moisture remains inside.
Test all the device’s features like calling, cameras, mute switch, volume buttons, fingerprint sensor if applicable, etc. They should work flawlessly with no degradation in performance. Full functionality with no glitches or odd behavior means water has likely evaporated fully.
If you used rice to dry the device, inspect it carefully and make sure no rice particles remain inside cracks or crevices. Any remaining rice should be carefully removed with compressed air before using the device again.
Lastly, if the phone or electronic seems completely normal after a thorough inspection and testing, it is likely safe to use again and water damage has been successfully reversed.
Conclusion
The takeaway here is that rice can be an effective method to help dry out wet electronics, but there are some limits to consider. It is not a ‘magical’ solution for any water damage situation. The key is that rice can absorb excess surface moisture from the outside of the electronics if used properly. However, rice may not work as well for interior moisture or corrosion, so there are alternatives to consider like silica gel or specialty electronics drying products. You also need to take steps like disassembling the device and removing batteries first. The upshot is that rice is a simple, low-cost way to have a chance at saving wet devices from smaller amounts of exposure or exterior moisture – especially if other proper precautions are taken. But for severe interior soaking, rice is unlikely to fully dry the electronics alone. Consider all the tips and alternatives outlined before attempting to dry any important electronics.
