Sciencemadness Discussion Board

My dessicator lid is shifting

teodor - 10-9-2025 at 07:38

I have some annoying problem with dessicators - the lid is shifting over time opening the dessicator. I though something wrong with my one or two old dessicators but it just happened with a new one (the 3rd) again. I use a vacuum grease "Korasilon-Paste", also there could be some vibration on a table but I remember it happened without any vibration also. How it could be fixed? Different grease? Clips?

Keras - 10-9-2025 at 08:32

I’m surprised. Mine is so tightly held I need really to push very hard to open it.
Are you sure you don’t put TOO much grease?

teodor - 10-9-2025 at 11:37

I put as much as to remove air bubbles, but yes, I can shift it with average force. I am not sure it is safe to apply much force to a lid, it can jump suddenly.

BromicAcid - 10-9-2025 at 13:31

You could try a wrap of electrical tape or silicone tape around the outer edge, that should hold it in place.

teodor - 10-9-2025 at 21:05

Quote: Originally posted by BromicAcid  
You could try a wrap of electrical tape or silicone tape around the outer edge, that should hold it in place.


Thank you. Actually it is what I do. But I was thinking it was a defect of my dessicator. Now I am thinking it could depend on a grease.

Fery - 10-9-2025 at 21:35

I use Ramsay grease and if I let it to sit unused for 1 year it is quite hard to open it.

Keras - 11-9-2025 at 07:42

Quote: Originally posted by teodor  
I put as much as to remove air bubbles, but yes, I can shift it with average force. I am not sure it is safe to apply much force to a lid, it can jump suddenly.


Air bubbles? I put a very very tiny amount of grease, just in order for the seal to look transparent (and not frosted). Generally I smear the grease by rotating the lid.

It’s usually very difficult to open the lid after a few hours under vacuum, which I interpret as a very tight seal.

teodor - 11-9-2025 at 08:06

Quote: Originally posted by Keras  
Quote: Originally posted by teodor  
I put as much as to remove air bubbles, but yes, I can shift it with average force. I am not sure it is safe to apply much force to a lid, it can jump suddenly.


Air bubbles? I put a very very tiny amount of grease, just in order for the seal to look transparent (and not frosted). Generally I smear the grease by rotating the lid.

It’s usually very difficult to open the lid after a few hours under vacuum, which I interpret as a very tight seal.


The grease I use is very soft so even after several months the lid is shifted with the same force. I conclude this is the difference and the reason for my travelling lids. The suggestion of BromicAcid works for me. I think I would prefer to put the tape than to have a pain of opening frozen lids. But I will do experiment with other type of grease also.

The back side of a soft grease - it always pulled inside a bit under vacuum and make necessarily to cover all compounds inside from its drops.



[Edited on 11-9-2025 by teodor]

bnull - 11-9-2025 at 10:53

What about a ring? There are those wooden rings for embroidery; you may find one that suits the desiccator; you'd have to add small tabs on the upper part so it doesn't slip down. Or you could cut off a disc from the plastic lid of a bucket or bin and fit the remainder on the lid.

Or you could use a drum locking clamp, like the one below. There must be one the size you need.
clamp.png - 97kB

[Edited on 11-9-2025 by bnull]

teodor - 12-9-2025 at 05:54

Quote: Originally posted by bnull  
What about a ring? There are those wooden rings for embroidery; you may find one that suits the desiccator; you'd have to add small tabs on the upper part so it doesn't slip down. Or you could cut off a disc from the plastic lid of a bucket or bin and fit the remainder on the lid.

Or you could use a drum locking clamp, like the one below. There must be one the size you need.


[Edited on 11-9-2025 by bnull]


Hm. Interesting.

chempyre235 - 12-9-2025 at 06:26

Quote: Originally posted by bnull  
What about a ring? There are those wooden rings for embroidery; you may find one that suits the desiccator; you'd have to add small tabs on the upper part so it doesn't slip down. Or you could cut off a disc from the plastic lid of a bucket or bin and fit the remainder on the lid.

Or you could use a drum locking clamp, like the one below. There must be one the size you need.

That's a fine idea. I might consider one of those for my desiccator.