Quick Answer
You should never intentionally try to dry out electronics with rice. Rice is not an effective or recommended method for drying out water-damaged electronics. While it may seem like a quick fix, it can actually cause further damage and void warranties. Instead, follow the manufacturer’s instructions or take the device to a repair shop to safely dry and assess it professionally.
What is the Common Advice About Using Rice?
There’s a common myth that leaving an electronic device in a bowl or bag of rice will help absorb any moisture inside and dry it out if exposed to water. The concept is that since rice absorbs moisture well, it will supposedly suck up any water that got inside the device.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
This seeming quick fix has spread online as a go-to emergency measure to try and revive a water-damaged device before taking it in for repair. However, while it may seem sensible, it turns out that rice is not a safe or effective method for drying out electronics.
Why Doesn’t Rice Work Effectively?
There are several reasons why using rice does not help dry out sensitive internal electronics:
1. Rice cannot absorb moisture from inside sealed components
Consumer electronics have tightly sealed internal components. Pouring rice outside the device does not draw water out from inside these sealed spaces. If moisture got inside integrated circuits, connectors, or other sealed internals, rice outside cannot act on that internal moisture.
2. Rice dust can further damage electronics
As rice absorbs some external moisture, it can start to release fine rice powder or dust. This dust can then get inside a device’s small openings and coat or clog internal components. Rice dust risks causing further issues by getting on circuit boards, sensors, connectors, and other precision parts.
3. Electronics need controlled drying conditions
Quick home remedies like rice do not properly control humidity, air flow, and temperature for safe drying. Consumer electronics need careful, controlled conditions for internal moisture to safely evaporate without damaging internals or promoting corrosion. Rice does not provide controlled moisture absorption.
4. Manufacturer guidelines advise against rice
Most major electronics manufacturers caution against using rice or other DIY drying methods. They instead recommend bringing devices in for professional assessment and service. Attempting makeshift repairs can void warranties. Following their approved process avoids further device damage or cancelled coverage.
Are There Any Times Rice Could Help?
While rice is ineffective and risky for internal moisture damage, it may be able to help absorb some external water exposure in limited cases:
- If 100% of the water exposure was external and no moisture infiltrated interior components, rice might absorb some surface moisture.
- If the device was immediately powered off and not tried to be turned on when wet, minimal internal moisture may have entered.
- If the device is left in rice long enough (days), excess outer shell moisture could eventually be absorbed.
However, there is no way for a layperson to know if moisture entered internal spaces or not. Attempting to dry it with rice still poses risks versus proper professional methods. Also, leaving a device off with moisture inside promotes internal corrosion over time. Overall, rice remains a risky DIY method that manufacturers advise against.
What Are Recommended Methods for Drying Out Electronics?
Instead of rice, what are some actually effective ways to dry out a water-exposed electronic device? Here are some good options:
1. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
Consult the device company’s official advice, as found in product manuals and on their support sites. They often have detailed steps on what to do for liquid exposure. Following their precise recommendations gives the best chance for device recovery or warranty coverage.
2. Use desiccant drying kits
Desiccant kits contain moisture-absorbing beads or packs. Some are specially made for electronics, with small beads that do not leave dust or residue. Professional repair specialists often use these kits to dry devices after water exposure. They are more effective than rice at pulling moisture from inside electronics.
3. Visit a repair shop
Bringing the device to an established repair shop lets professionals open up and thoroughly dry internal components, assess any corrosion, and perform repairs. This gives the best chance of reviving an electronic exposed to moisture without further damage.
4. Try an isopropyl alcohol rinse
For a small water spill that was quickly addressed, you may be able to rinse the device with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol and let it fully dry. This can displace some moisture before it damages circuits. However, moisture inside sealed components cannot be addressed with this method.
Tips to Prevent Water Damage
It’s best to take steps to prevent liquid from contacting your electronics in the first place:
- Keep drinks away from electronics.
- Avoid exposing devices to rain or spills.
- Don’t use devices in extremely humid environments like pools or hot tubs.
- Only use electronics around water according to their water resistance rating, if applicable.
- Immediately power off and dry a device that gets exposed to moisture.
Being careful around liquids prevents the need for hurried drying methods at all. But if an accident happens, skip the rice and go right to professional help.
The Bottom Line
Rice is not an effective or safe method for drying out internally water-damaged electronics. The rice cannot sufficiently remove moisture from inside sealed internal spaces, where moisture causes the most damage. Additionally, rice dust poses contamination risks. Instead of rice, promptly follow manufacturer recommendations for liquid exposure, which typically involve professional repair. With valuable electronics especially, it’s best not to attempt risky home fixes and instead have it assessed by experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does rice actually damage electronics?
Rice itself does not directly damage electronics, but it can cause issues indirectly. As rice absorbs ambient moisture from the air, it releases fine rice powder. This powder can get stuck inside devices, coat circuit boards, and impede electrical contacts. These effects can inhibit function and lead to device failure after use.
Does rice pull moisture out of phones?
No, rice does not effectively pull moisture from inside sealed components in phones. Phones have tightly packed internal spaces that rice outside cannot act upon. Moisture inside integrated circuits, connectors, and other internals will not be addressed by surrounding rice.
How long should you leave a phone in rice?
You should not leave a phone in rice at all. Rice will not help dry out interior moisture that causes phone damage. Leaving an electronic in rice risks further issues from rice dust without fixing internal moisture. Follow the manufacturer’s advice instead for wet phones.
Can you fix a phone with water damage at home?
It is very difficult and risky to adequately fix a water-damaged phone at home. Phones have compact, complex internals that require disassembly and professional drying tools to correctly fix. Amateur repairs can further break the phone and void its warranty. Take wet phones to a professional repair shop for reliable fixing.
Does putting electronics in rice prevent corrosion?
No, putting an electronic device in rice does not prevent internal corrosion from water damage. Corrosion occurs rapidly when moisture contacts powered circuits and metal components. To interrupt corrosion, the device must have power removed and interior spaces dried quickly under controlled conditions. Rice cannot reliably provide this for electronics.
Conclusion
While leaving an electronic device in rice to dry out from water exposure is a widespread piece of advice, it is misguided. Rice does not effectively absorb moisture from inside the sealed internal spaces of devices where it causes the most damage. Additionally, rice dust poses contamination hazards to electronics’ precise internals. Instead of home remedies, quickly follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for addressing liquid damaged devices, which typically involve professional repair methods. With expensive electronics especially, don’t take chances trying to fix it yourself – trust the experts.