There is a demonstration on the strength of a weld and the importance of keeping welding rods clean and dry on the WeldingForum (www.weldingweb.com).

The welder in question found some old welding rods, and tried to dry them out in his kitchen oven (see the thread at http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=25899) for the discussion of the effectiveness and potential dangers of using a kitchen oven — in which you would cook food if your wife was at home — for trying to dry out 7018 welding rods.

This wasn't an entirely foolhardy effort, the welder was experimenting with the equipment he had on hand, and he wanted to use those welding rods.

The second thread the welder filed at http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=26089 shows the weld he made with those rods, and has his discussion of what he saw from them.

He used the welding rod in several positions — vertical down, vertical up, and horizontal — and saw different results. Primarily, the welds were porous, and the horizontal weld was weak enough to be broken it with a 10-in. adjustable wrench.

You can check out the website to see photos and to read the whole account of his reclamation process.