Do you have problems with musty odor or “amoy kulob” inside the closet or your car? Deteriorating or sagging wood cabinets or furniture? Black molds on bathroom tiles? Fungus on your devices like camera and lens? Smelly shoes cabinet? Guess what. Dehumidifier is the solution!
What is a dehumidifier?
Dehumidifier is something that absorbs excess moisture in the air to prevent growth of molds and fungus that causes the musty odor.
From my previous web article, I talked about top ways to prevent fungus on your DSLR lens. One of my recommendations is to use dehumidifier to reduce the moisture in the environment. This is the gadget that I use to level down the humidity.
There are many kinds of dehumidifier. Here are some examples.
(collected water can be seen at the bottom of the container)
There are many types and kinds of dehumidifier, but one stands-out after trying many many kinds. This is the Xiaomi Deerma Dehumidifier. Is it much better than the competition? Let’s find out!
Unboxing
Box Contents:
- 1 x Xiaomi Deerma Dehumidier
- 1 x Type A (US/PH/JP/CN) AC Socket Power Cord
- 1 x User Manual
For the device itself is a cylindrical shaped with a moisture indicator (the orange beads), a lot of line-shaped holes, and an AC socket.
For the Power Cord, it’s just a standard Type A AC Plug (US/China/Philippines Compatible Plug)
For the user manual, it’s all in Chinese so I don’t understand them.
Product Specs
Brand: Xiaomi Deerma
Model: DEM-CS10M
Color: White
Material: ABS
Voltage: 220V (50Hz, but no issue for 60Hz here in PH)
Product Weight: 0.6 kg
Product Size: 7.50 x 7.50 x 20.60 cm / 2.95 x 2.95 x 8.11 inches
Review
Now it’s time to try and use this dehumidifier. I bought two dehumidifiers. One for my DIY DSLR Camera Dry Box (obviously, to reduce the relative humidity of my camera box). One for my sliding cabinet for my clothes (to prevent early deterioration of the MDF wood of my IKEA cabinet due to absorption of moisture).
It’s cylindrical shape means that it can absorb moisture from all of its holes, at almost 360 degrees around it.
I placed them as shown on the pictures, and wait for days for them to absorb moisture. From the product description, it says it can last for about 2-3 weeks.
Dehumidification
I have a humidity sensor inside my DIY DSLR Camera Dry Box. The recommended Relative Humidity (RH) inside the Dry Box is between 35% – 45% to prevent the growth of fungus.
From 63% to 49% RH, 2hrs after putting the Xiaomi Dehumidifier.
Before putting the dehumidifier, the reading is about 63% relative humidity. After putting the dehumidifier inside the box, in just a matter of 2 hours, it drops to 49% RH! Wow! That was fast! RH inside the dry box must be below 60% but greater than 30% to prevent the growth of fungus.
Nice Indicator Beads
After 2 weeks, I checked it and true enough, the beads changed its color from bright orange to dark green! This means that it indeed absorbed moisture in the air.
Notice the change in color. If the beads turned into dark green in color, it means that the dehumidifier is full and needs to be dried, for it to absorb moisture again.
Drying
To remove the moisture from the dehumidifier, just plug it in your wall socket for about 12hrs. The device is 220V, and consumes 20W of power.
When plugged, it will heat up and release the moisture inside. Water will come out on the holes. Be sure that you plug it outside your home! This is to release the moisture outside. You will notice that it will become wet. There will be some liquid that will come out below the device.
After 12hrs, you will notice that the beads turned into bright orange again.
This means that the moisture is out, and ready to be used again.
But wait! Before reusing it, make sure that it’s not wet, and also not hot. Cool it off for a while before reuse.
Advantages
Eco-Friendly
Other types of dehumidifier includes disposable damp absorber like this:
This is composed of calcium carbide in which it acts like diseccant (sucks up moisture), and turns into liquid. After using, it must be disposed.
Disposal of this kind of dehumidifier is not environmental friendly. The case is plastic, so it’s harmful to the environment if not put into recycling.
The advantage of using Xiaomi Deerma Dehumidifier is you can reuse it again and again and again without disposing it. You save money from buying again and again, you also save the environment from plastic pollution.
As there are also a kind of electric dehumidifier like this Peltier Type one. This is the cheapest type of electric dehumidifier on the market. It needs to be plugged in order for it to run. So if you would like it to absorb humid air for the whole day, it must be plugged-in for 24hrs!
Price
Disposable HannsGuard Dehumidifier 720ml (good for 2 wks): Php ~70.00 each
Electric Dehumidifier (Peltier Type) 500ml: Php ~1600.00 each
Xiaomi Deerma Dehumifier: Php ~1,200.00 each
Cost of operation:
Disposable HannsGuard Dehumidifier 720ml: None
Electric Dehumidifier (Peltier Type) 500ml: 1hr running time per day
23W * 1hr * 21days * ~10Php/kWh = 4.83 Php / 3 wks or 1.61 Pesos per wk
Xiaomi Deerma Dehumifier: 12hrs drying time per 3 weeks
20W * 12hrs * ~10Php/kWh = 2.4 Php / 3 ks or 0.8 Pesos per wk
Verdict
Absolutely recommended!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
In just a matter of hours, you will see the dehumidification effect. From 63 to 49% in just a couple of hours, it is indeed very effective.
Plus the fact that it is reusable, it is an eco-friendly solution compared to the use of disposable dehumidifiers.
I am using if for 9 months now and still satisfied with it. It’s still kicking alive and well. The effectiveness didn’t change after many times of drying/plugging it in and reusing it.
It is worth the investment.
