I didn't think I needed desiccant

[high_revs]

But after opening up the safe after many months, I noticed some weird marks/dirt around the sides of my desiccant can. I'm like, what the heck exploded/spilled here!?! Nothing. Then I looked at the top of the desiccant can, it was pink in color. I got it and put it in somewhere mid-October. I didn't think living in Silicon Valley and in a garage that doesn't have extreme variance in temps, I wouldn't have much/any moisture. But obviously I guess I do.

Can anyone tell me what those little spots are that developed around the side of the desiccant can? It's slightly brown in color.

[gadjeep]

Probably mold/mildew of some sort. I just replaced mine today and it had almost 3/4" of water in it!

[goathead]

mold

[joelogic]

^+1
Check your safe every two months or once a quarter. But if you are like the rest of us, every day.

[DaveInOroValley]

Get a electric dehumidifier. There very inexpensive and I'm guessing the back of you safe already has a pre-drilled hole to route the wiring through.

[Cyclepath]

We had a pretty wet winter so you may want to reactivate your dessicant if you can. Most likely mold or slight rust from the moisture collecting. The dessicant that I have I pour it out on a baking pan and put it in the oven overnight at 240 degrees F for 1/2 day or so.

[Californio]

Bull Frog Emitter Shields

No moisture to worry about.

[BlackViper]

I like the little Remington unit that changes color when its "full". You plug it in an outlet for an hour to dry it out and then pop it back in your safe.

[mosinnagantm9130]

I like the little Remington unit that changes color when its "full". You plug it in an outlet for an hour to dry it out and then pop it back in your safe.

+1 to that. It works well for me.

[Cyclepath]

I believe the Remington dehumidifiers are made by this company - EVA Dry. They look identical. I have their 300/500 models in my safe as well as several boxes of 450gram dessicant. They last about a month at my place which is a few blocks from the ocean. You can get 2 of the 300/333 model for about $28 including shipping from Amazon.

[high_revs]

so mold = not good, well rust too. i don't have a spare oven. health risk heating it up at home oven with the mold or does mold just get burned out? and then run a self-cleaning cycle after?

[Tumerboy]

I've got the less fancy version:

http://www.amazon.com/Dry-Packs-Indicating-Silica-Aluminum-Canister/dp/B0025OO8DO/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1272493283&sr=8-13

color changes when it's full, bake at 200 for 20 minutes or so to recharge.

Seems to work well. I've got a bunch, keep one in each gun bag, and some in any boxes of parts, etc.

[Cyclepath]

There is no risk in heating up dessicant in your kitchen oven at a low temp. As far as the mold, I would use a solution of vinegar and water on any and wipe clean and dry. Do NOT use this on your guns as it may remove the bluing or other finish. You can use a brush or something and go outside and brush off the mold off the can or any other surfaces if you want. Depending on the type of mold, some can be dangerous so wear a mask or respirator. Of course, appy a good coat of oil on your firearms.

[Southpaw45]

Might be mushrooms growing in your safe.. Does the safe sit on the bare cement floor? If it does, get it up on some wood or some old carpet to insulate it from the cold floor.

[high_revs]

just got back countryside. sorry for delay for those helping.

southpaw, the safe does sit on a bare cement floor. I guess I'll have to dig up the light as I wanted to re-arrange it for up-coming builds I gotta start on. problem with your suggestion is my safe is bolted to the floor. i'll have to remove those, raise it up and then bolt it down again.

cyclepath, thanks for the tips/clarification. i never thought i had this problem before. guess I should inspect the guns a little closer as i've shot at all this year yet. for something that has more exposed temperature changes (albeit hidden from open view), my pistols didn't have anything when I stripped/cleaned them a few weeks ago.

too busy right now to take pics as I'm doing garage clean-up. i'll post pics of the stuff on the side of the desiccant can.