Gun safes and moisture

[dlquinn71]

Everytime I open my safe it seems to be the same temp and I have not seen any signs of moisture but I understand this can be an unseen problem.

Do you guys run or use anything in your safe to remove moisture?

I know there are golden rods, dehumidifiers and desiccant that could be used....are any of these really needed? If so which is the best option?

[JDay]

I would use either a dehumidifier rod of one of those desiccants that can be plugged into the wall to recharge monthly. Moisture will become a problem over time.

[09rubicon]

I use a desiccant in a small plastic bucket (think ice cream pint size). You just peel off the plastic seal and leave it be. I just replace it every 3 months. Get then at the hardware store for about $5.

[canative]

I've had my safe for about 12 years now, and have never seen any moisture inside it. All my ammo is dry as can be, everything else also is dry. The safe is in a corner of a bedroom.

[Laythor]

think of them as insurance, you might not ever need it but you'll be glad it's there if you do.

the cost of your firearms and ammo vs the cost of a goldenrod or dehumidifier.

[canative]

Good point!

[SouperMan]

Everytime I open my safe it seems to be the same temp and I have not seen any signs of moisture but I understand this can be an unseen problem.

Do you guys run or use anything in your safe to remove moisture?

I know there are golden rods, dehumidifiers and desiccant that could be used....are any of these really needed? If so which is the best option?

I know the merits of a dehumidifiers, but you must have a accessible outlet and a outlet/plug handy in the safe. The dehumidifier raises the temp in the safe, and I am not too comfortable with this.

I use the Eva-dry E-500 Renewable Wireless Mini Dehumidifier available on Amazon. Eva-Dry is the OEM that makes the very popular Stack-On SPAD 1000 (Eva-dry E-333); the E-500 has a larger capacity (up to 500 cubic feet).

Basically, with silica based dehumidifiers it is baked to dry them out; the Eva-dry will change color to tell you that it has absorbed enough water; take it out and plug it in the garage overnight, and it should be good to go again. Best feature is that you don't need power in the safe.

[delta9]

+1 for the Eva-Dry rechargeable descants. You should also add a battery powered humidity meter ($5 on eBay)

[Stewdabaker23]

I use a large eva-dry which uses the silicia gel and then I have a golden rod mounted at the bottom of my safe. I have an accu-rite temp/moisture guage as well to monitor the conditions.

[blazeaglory]

Everytime I open my safe it seems to be the same temp and I have not seen any signs of moisture but I understand this can be an unseen problem.

Do you guys run or use anything in your safe to remove moisture?

I know there are golden rods, dehumidifiers and desiccant that could be used....are any of these really needed? If so which is the best option?

MOTH BALLS have anti rust properties!!! Do a search and you will be pleasantly surprised!

[Super Max]

I 2nd the recommendations for the Golden Rod. Costs about $1/mo to use it for the 7w model. If the safe is bolted to a garage floor (maybe any cement slab) moisture will wick up through the cement so some sort of moisture control is essential. I destroyed (mildew) the contents of a wooden foot lock by setting it directly on the garage floor for a few months, so lesson learned.

I also use one of these recording temperature/humidity gauges in my safe just to keep an eye on conditions over time. Golden Rod stabilizes both temp and humidity. http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...uctId=17470636

[Sac-AR15]

I use a dehumidifier rod and 4 medium bags of desiccant. So far everything looks ok.

[ElDub1950]

This got me wondering. Found humidity guages are as low as $7 on Amazon. Just ordered one. Those make it too cheap to guess.

[Super Max]

^^^^^ Try to find one that records min/max so you have a record over time.

[SDM44]

This got me wondering. Found humidity guages are as low as $7 on Amazon. Just ordered one. Those make it too cheap to guess.

^^^^^ Try to find one that records min/max so you have a record over time.

Amazon sells the digital humidity gauges that also shows the high & low temps, for only $12 shipped.

That's what I'm using and it works great. Uses 1 AA and has lasted me for over a year now on the same battery.