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The purpose of storing guns in a safe is to protect them, but if proper precautions are not taken guns can get damaged within a safe. Moisture causes serious problems to firearms including corrosion and malfunction. When storing firearms in a gun safe, it is essential the environment inside the safe is dry and protected from humidity. According to the National Rifle Association (NRA), the temperature within a safe should not exceed 70 degrees with 50–55 percent humidity. The best way to ensure your safe stays within the recommended range is by using a gun safe dehumidifier.
Choosing a gun safe dehumidifier
When choosing a dehumidifier, there are a few factors to consider. The main thing you want to determine is the amount of moisture you need to remove from your gun safe. This information can help you buy a dehumidifier that best protects your firearms from damage. It is also important to choose a dehumidifier that is the right size for your gun safe. If you have a small gun safe and you live in a low-humidity area, a desiccant dehumidifier may be sufficient. If you have a larger safe, you may need a more powerful electric dehumidifier. Learn more about the different types of dehumidifiers Fort Knox offers here. Regardless of the type of dehumidifier, remember to invest in a high-quality dehumidifier to ensure that it is effective and durable.
Tips for using a dehumidifier
It is crucial that you correctly use your dehumidifier to get the best results. Place the dehumidifier near the center of your gun safe. This will ensure that it removes moisture from all parts of the safe, rather than just one area. Monitor the humidity levels in your gun safe regularly to make sure that the dehumidifier is effectively removing moisture from the air. If you live in a very humid climate, you may need to run/charge your dehumidifier more often.
Options available at Fort Knox
- Eva-Dry E-500: This dehumidifier is small and portable, making it ideal for use in a gun safe. The E-500 is wireless and absorbs around six ounces of moisture. Depending on humidity levels in your area, it can go six to eight weeks between charges. It has moisture meter crystals that change from blue (when dry) to pink (when wet) to indicate when your unit needs to charge. To charge the E-500 all you need to do is plug it into any power outlet and wait about 12–14 hours for it to recharge. Once the crystals are back to blue, it is ready to go back into your safe.
- 12″ Electric Dehumidifier Rod: This dehumidifier works by slightly increasing and maintaining the air temperature inside the gun safe. This allows the warm air to circulate throughout the safe on a continual basis, thus eliminating humidity, mildew, and condensation. An electric dehumidifier rod is a great option for larger safes and areas with high humidity levels. This dehumidifier is more powerful than the E-500, but it does require electricity so you will need to determine if it will work with the location of your gun safe.