Advice on Decanter Maintenance

[Roy Hersh]

http://www.wineanorak.com/wineblog/unca ... a-decanter

[Tom D.]

The drying crystals are brilliant. Wish I could find a US supplier.

[Peter W. Meek]

A quick google on [ decanter drying crystals } finds Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as WineEnthusiast.com carrying such devices in the US (plus many more).

[Tom D.]

Peter, all I'm seeing on Google and on those sites are crystal decanters. Can't find the drying crystals anywhere.

[Peter W. Meek]

There certainly were a lot of crystal decanters listed, but these (for the same product, but from two different sellers) were on the first page when I Googled [ decanter drying crystals ]. It is essential to type that final "s" and hit return to avoid the suggested singular, which indeed does get you mostly decanters.

http://www.wineenthusiast.com/wine-deca ... -of-2).asp (EDIT: this link doesn't work, at least not for me)
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/1/648 ... -of-2.html

EDIT: once I had it posted, I tried the WE link and it went to a page-not-found.

By going directly to the Wineenthusiast.com website ands searching under Decanters and Aerators I found it. it is their item # 161 31 02 and can be had for $20 a pair plus shipping.

I expect that searching the BB&B website (or one of their Brick&mortar stores) and looking under Barware, you could also find these long, skinny bags of silica gel.

========
Plus a UK seller of a package with (at least) different packaging:
http://www.aroundwine.co.uk/moisture-ab ... stals.html

[Glenn E.]

I have a set of these and they work extremely well. 2 minutes in the microwave resets them and then you just hang them in the decanter as shown in the picture. It does help to shake as much water out of the decanter as you possibly can, but these things will easily absorb the last few drops that are spread around the inside.

Peter - your URL for the Wine Enthusiast is missing the closing ')' so that's why it doesn't work. You can use this link to get there.

[Tom D.]

Got it. Thanks!

[John M.]

I took a piece of 1" x 6" piece of wood and a 5/8th inch dowel, drilled and glued in the dowel and can dry my decanters inverted (upside down). Rock solid--dries out overnight quite well. No water spots (you do have to come back after 20 minutes to wipe the rim off.)

[Al B.]

I stand my decanter on a radiator or a sunny windowsill to get the last bits of water out. I find the trick to prevent water spots is to rinse with soft water before drying.