https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tHInlFfMcM
copy of the video description text:
Over the years, I've collected a lot of silica gel packages and regularly put them into my stuff, hoping that they will keep it dry. These tests showed me that there is more than silica gel in the typical desiccant packages and that if you don't properly dry them, they can even ruin your filament. Let's compare four different methods to keep your loose desiccant and your silica packages dry!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:19 What's inside a desiccant bag?
01:54 Sponsor
03:19 Clay desiccant
04:57 Indicating desiccant
06:53 The problem with desiccant
10:26 Get rid of your desiccant bags?
11:06 Drying desiccant
14:38 Drying in a microwave
16:40 How much energy does it use?
19:34 Drying the bags in a microwave
21:48 Do you damage your desiccant in the microwave?
23:18 Summary
I'm surprised Stephan did not mention that bentonite clay is commonly used for cat litter.
Perhaps microwaving for significantly longer, at a low power level, would be safer and result in higher success/yield?
That's what I do, never noticed the balls exploding. It takes about 20 minutes, but that's the microwave's time, not mine.