Tips and tricks for absorbing moisture in small safes?

[thorazine]

Other than the silica gel packets are there any household items, chemicals, etc, that can be used in conjuction with a small safe to reduce or even eliminate the ammount of moisture that gets trapped inside it? Also I am assuming it would be best to place the small safe lowest to the ground where there is less moisture content in the air (or do I have this backwards)?

 

[SLCDave]

Moist (heavy) air will sink, so put the silica at the bottom of the safe. I don't know in that small of an environment how much difference there will be, but I do know that humid air is heavier than dry air.

 

[craig]

believe it or not, your standard charcoal briquets absorb moisture. it's an old florida trick. you do have to change them often if the humidity is high.

 

[Rusher]

Hey guys


I was told by an old Army buddy that a standard box (10-12 sticks) of school type chalk. Every 6 months or so throw them in to the oven for an hour or so to dry them out........it has worked for me





Rusher

 

[hksw]

Rice, powder laundry detergent.

 

[crewchief]

Place a small bowl of Tidy Cat Crystals at the bottom of your safe. That stuff sucks up a lot of moisture and you can find it by the cat litter in most stores. Usually comes in a yellow box with a seethru window that shows the contents which look kind of like rock salt. Anyhow that stuff works great for moisture problem areas like the bathroom so I am sure it will do wonders in a gun safe.

 

[SJG26]

Flower Drying Crystals....

ARE Silica Gel - just cheaper than the Sports/firearms packs.

Fill a gym sock/panty hose ( errrrrrr---don't ask!) and hang in safe. Air passes freely thru material-gel does not------bake every several month to regen when crystals turn pink.
And, it comes in handy to make a festive centerpiece for the holidays......lol

 

[dustind]

I found this on google. The color-change desiccant may be used whenever visual control of moisture is desirable. Color changes from blue to pink when saturating. The color change does not mean that SGBL35 Silica Gel Desiccant is fully saturated, the desiccant can continue to adsorb moisture up to 40% of its own weight. Regenerate at 350° F, in an oven. From http://store.ecompressedair.com/detail.aspx?ID=1000 The cost is $105.75 for 25 pounds. (minnimum order)

They also have this type http://store.ecompressedair.com/detail.aspx?ID=30 it does not change color, but is only $35.75 for 25 pounds.

Beaded silica gels can be less dusty than their granular counterparts. Cat litter may have too much dust in it.

 

[jetman]

I have a buddy that was complaining of the same issue with his safe. I'm in the HVAC/R business and refrigerant dessicants are very commonly used. For less than $20 you can have a near solid core of dessicant used in big commercial refrigeration/AC systems. They are approximatley the size of an oil can and come in a sealed can. Once opened they can hold TONS of moisture. Once full they can be stuck in the oven to dehydrate and re-use again. Go to ANY refrigeration/heating wholesaler and the Sporlan part number is RC4864. they will hold hundreds as much moisture as the dessicant packs and are fully re-usable. If you can't find them locally let me know and I'll help you out.

 

[thorazine]

Moist (heavy) air will sink, so put the silica at the bottom of the safe. I don't know in that small of an environment how much difference there will be, but I do know that humid air is heavier than dry air.

Terefore one would be better off placing the safe in a higher position instead of on the floor, like up on a shelf, etc?