Editing Desiccator (section)

==Constituents==
The lower compartment of the desiccator contains lumps of [[silica gel]], freshly [[calcined]] [[quicklime]], [[Calcium sulfate#Other uses | Drierite]], [[molecular sieve]]s, [[phosphorus pentoxide]], (not as effective) anhydrous [[calcium chloride]], or other [[List of desiccants|desiccant]] to absorb water vapor. The substance needing desiccation is put in the upper compartment, usually on a glazed, perforated ceramic plate. The ground-glass rim of the desiccator lid must be greased with a thin layer of vacuum grease, petroleum jelly or other lubricant to ensure an airtight seal.

In order to prevent damage to a desiccator the lid should be carefully slid on and off instead of being directly placed onto the base.<ref name=qa>{{cite book|last=Alexeyev|first=V.|title=Quantitative Analysis|date=April 2000 |publisher=Lightning source Inc.|isbn=0-89875-034-2}}</ref>