Ph Meter Dry storage question

Ok, so my old lady saw that there was "green liquid" in the cap of my oakton ph meter and dumped it out "for" me. She didn't realize that was the storing solution . So, unbeknownst to me, my ph meter has been stored dry for the last month. But, i just tested it with storage solution, tap h2o, and white vinegar after recalibrating. she read 7.0 for the solution, 3.5 for my vinegar, and 6.7 for my tap. I know that my county water source says we have 8.0 tap so that's the only number that seems like it could be off to me (though they haven't updated their info since 2012's report

So, all this being said, has anyone any experience with dry storage NOT fucking up his/her ph meter? this is doubly frustrating because i grow organic and don't really even need a ph meter, i just keep one for trouble shooting and problem diagnosing etc.

any thoughts on this? think i'm good to go with this meter?

thanks,
be easy,

I would think the only way to know for sure is calibrating solution but you said you calibrated it? Did you use calibrating solution? Also I have called Oakton techs in the past to try and reactivate a combi pen. They were real helpful even if it didn't work lol.

Sometimes you can revive a dried probe. Just soaking in tap water. Never use distilled or ro for storage.

Give it a nice 24 hour soak in some fresh storage solution. Calibrate it afterwards and give it a go. Cycle the power and if it stays calibrated you should be good.

Keep it in a glass of either 4.0 or 7.0 solution. Works ok. Buffer solution is like $10 on amazon...Probs the way to go.