Gun Safe humidity and location issues

[Luggo]

My first post...I hope I put it in the right category....

I will soon be in the market for a gun safe, details to be determined. The issue I am wrestling with is where to locate it and that will drive some specifics about what to get. I would appreciate some wise counsel here.

The most practical location for the safe it in my workshop off my garage. It is not heated and cooled. I live in Texas, summer is hot (blazing) and humid, winter is not really winter at all. There possibility of putting it in the house is not out of the question but my wife would prefer the garage...if you get my drift.

Do any of you have your safe in a non climate controlled space, and if so what methods to you use to regulate humidity? Have you had any problems with this?

I would also appreciate general safe suggestions. I am interested in a safe that offers fire/heat resistance as well.

Thanks

 

[a1abdj]

Placing the safe inside the home is always the best bet. Your climate controlled house will usually have more stable humidity than the unclimate controlled areas.

We install safes in garages on a regular basis, and I've never heard of anybody having any serious moisture issues. Most of the time an electric dry rod is used which raises the dew point within the safe.

I would also appreciate general safe suggestions. I am interested in a safe that offers fire/heat resistance as well.

What you should be looking at will depend on the value of your collection, the threats you're looking to protect against, and your budget.

 

[bluestarlizzard]

dessicant dessicant dessicant my friend. go to gunstore and find the reusable ones. you put 'em the safe, check every so often. when they turn from blue to pink, you throw 'em in the oven for a couple hours. their good for anything that gets hurt by humindity (i.e. stuff that rusts or gets mold) dad has 'em for guns, mom has them for horse tack.

 

[Luggo]

Most of the time an electric dry rod is used which raises the dew point within the safe.

This is constantly plugged in I assume or a rechargeable item? Are safe's built to handle this or does it require drilling or modification to the safe?

Thanks for the reply

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

This is constantly plugged in I assume or a rechargeable item? Are safe's built to handle this or does it require drilling or modification to the safe?

It's plugged in. Most gun "safes" are drilled to accommodate such a device. Here's a link to one so you get a better idea of what it looks like: http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0005569210423a.shtml

I use a different product, since I live in Utah and humidity isn't a huge concern: http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0005567220673a.shtml

No affiliation with Cabela's here, just a shop I knew stocked both items and had good pictures of them

 

[Slugless]

Some people use a low wattage light bulb instead of a dry rod. A dry rod wouldn't burn out, however.

I use desiccant and regenerate it according to the instructions on the package - it takes quite a while. I also make a home brew desiccant, a mix of activated charcoal and silica gel in a old dress sock & regenerate it periodically. I doubt the charcoal really adds much but it was something to do one evening....

I wouldn't put it in a garage. I claimed a closet & bought a safe that fit in the closet. I later got another one that is designed to fit in a corner & put it in a disused corner where it doesn't get in the way.

Fire resistant safes are a good idea. I have one, an Amsec.

If I did the garage thing, I'd definitely want electric heating. Being me, I'd use desiccant, too.

 

[bluestarlizzard]

electric heating, desiccant and maybe a dyhumidefyer.

 

[thebaldguy]

I think keeping in the house away from temperature extremes is the best idea. It may add a bit of security having it inside the house. Somebody breaks in during the night, and your guns are not very accessable in the garage. I think it adds a bit of convenience as well.

Let the wife know this would be a great place for jewelry, cameras, documents, etc. This may help. Let her know she can use the safe too!

 

[atomchaser]

Heating rod+dessicant+well oiled guns and you won't have a problem. Put the safe on a piece of plywood to keep moisture from coming through the slab and rusting the bottom of the safe.

 

[sholling]

I keep the humidity in my home around 45-50% so I like to keep desiccant in my safe. The one that I like is DampRid just because you can see how much water it's pulled out of the air and it's cheap to refill. I've seen where the 10.oz size has pulled a cup of moisture out of my little 15 cubic foot safe. Note: be sure to choose a stable location in your safe. It can be easily spilled. $5 at Ace Hardware.