How To Keep Moisture Out Of Gun Safe | Our Guide to Regulating the Humidity Levels

Gun safes are an indispensable part of a gun owner's armory. A decent gun safe is an effective way to safeguard firearms against fire, theft, unauthorized hands, and misuse. However, it does not prevent moisture damage. Therefore, this implies that you are responsible for regulating the humidity level in your storage unit.

Do you need clarification on how to prevent moisture damage to your gun safe? Our guide will help you know how to keep moisture out of gun safe.

How To Keep Moisture Out Of Gun Safe: What Can I Put In My Gun Safe to Absorb Moisture?

Gun safes feature a design that keeps moisture out. However, there are times when moisture still manages to get inside because of the product's design. Several gun-safe manufacturers came up with waterproof gun safes to safeguard guns from the elements.

Also, with time, locks and hinges wore out, preventing the safe from opening, which is an issue you can maybe avoid buy investing in a more expensive safe. However, even the reputable brands like Cannon gun safes could have problems with opening.

However, there are alternative ways to keep your hidden gun safes dry and stop moisture from seeping in.

Making Use of Electric Dehumidifiers

You can keep the moisture out of the gun safe by using an electric dehumidifier. The role of electric dehumidifiers is to lower and stabilize the relative humidity of the air.

If you want to operate an electric dehumidifier, you'll need to plug it into a power outlet. You can mount the dehumidifier to the wall of the gun safe, thread the cord through the rear, and plug it in.

The dehumidifier will keep the temperature stable when the gun safe is set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity inside the gun safe decreases when the temperature is constant.

As a result, this will prevent the gun safe from rusting. Before selecting a gun-safe dehumidifier unit, you should consider the available space and capacity. The price is the primary disadvantage of electric dehumidifiers. Electric gun-safe dehumidifiers cost more than non-electric dehumidifiers.

Silica Gel Packs Use

Placing a silica gel pack inside your gun safe is the least expensive method for preventing moisture from entering. A single silica gel pack contains several silica beads that you can use as desiccants. The beads in a silica gel pack may help a gun safe dehumidify by absorbing the excess humidity.

Inside water vapors might cause a gun safe to become wet. Three silica gel packs are enough to avoid moisture buildup inside the gun safe. However, you should not use silica gel packs when the space inside the gun safe is less. There's a risk that silica gel packs will damage the metal of any firearms that come into direct contact with them.

Using Dry Rice

Dry rice is one of the most efficient and affordable ways to remove moisture from your gun safe. There are three forms of dry rice: flakes, pellets, and blocks. Since dry rice is a naturally occurring desiccant, it will absorb humidity in the air, keeping it moisture free.

Place one or two cups of dry rice in your gun safe. Additionally, you can place the dry rice inside a small container like a mason jar. Additionally, you can put the dry rice inside a small container like a mason jar.

The water evaporates over time when dry rice is absorbing moisture. Placing a bowl inside the gun safe is one method for storing dry rice. Dry ice is a cost-effective method that requires replacement every four months. However, it depends on the humidity level or the number of times the safe door is open.

However, the dry ice method only sometimes works when the humidity level is high. Therefore, dry ice is ideal to measure humidity with a hygrometer. If the dry rice and hygrometer still don't show any decrease in moisture, it's time to try something else.

Using a Non-Electric Gun Safe Dehumidifier

A non-electric gun-safe dehumidifier absorbs or desiccates moisture without the use of electricity. Natural absorbent silica gel gun safes rank among the most popular.

Compared to an electric gun-safe dehumidifier, a non-electric gun-safe dehumidifier is affordable, simpler to operate, and requires no special installation. A gun-safe dehumidifier can lose its absorbency and should be replaced.

However, there are rechargeable gun-safe dehumidifiers with a lifespan exceeding ten years. The units have indicators that let you know when they need to be charged. You can either plug them in or put them in the oven.

Baking Soda

Baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate, which helps remove moisture in a gun safe. Keep an eye on the baking soda in the gun safe and replace it when it loses its moisture-absorbing properties.

What Causes Moisture in a Gun Safe?

Humidity and moisture are always present in the air, no matter the level. Opening a gun safe to remove or store firearms allows a small amount of moisture inside. If you keep the gun safe in the basement or build the gun safe where there is already humidity, it could cause even more damage. The guns would be less likely to rust if you stored them outdoors, with constant air circulation.

Also, if you are building a gun safe out of wood, it is good to know that lumber is a natural insulator that can keep the moisture out of a gun safe, thus preventing rust and damage to your firearms.

Let's examine the causes of moisture to grasp better why it occurs in gun safety boxes. Condensation forms and moisture accumulates when you keep a gun safe in an area where the temperature is not under control. Such areas include basements, garages, attics, sheds, or under hardwood floor, where the temperature fluctuates greatly throughout the day and night.

Aside from that, the air in the under-bed gun vault remains sealed as it would in any other small enclosed space. As a result, it results in excessive moisture and condensation. The guns are more vulnerable to damage if you don't take moisture-protection precautions for gun safety.

How to Control Gun Safe Humidity

Many gun owners buy their gun safe, fill it, and assume their job is complete. However, they don't realize protecting the interior is just as important as preventing burglaries.

If the humidity level in your gun safe is higher, remove all affected items, particularly guns and metallic items. After that, you should place a desiccant or a dehumidifier inside. However, the humidity level might remain the same within a few days. If that happens, contact a professional, safe expert to assist you in diagnosing the problem and devise a strategy to safeguard the contents of your gun safe.

FAQs

Is It Safe To Use DampRid in a Gun Safe?

Moisture in a gun safe can corrode metals over time. DampRid is the ideal moisture absorber for gun safes, protecting your firearms from damage. Therefore, DampRid helps reduce humidity in your safe by absorbing moisture, which helps fend off condensation.

What Can I Put in My Gun Safe To Absorb Moisture?

Dry rice, baking soda, silica gel packs, and dehumidifiers are all decent options for preventing moisture buildup inside gun safes. Guns kept in a moisture-free environment will last much longer. 

Is Silica Gel Good for Gun Safes?

Silica gel dehumidifiers are an excellent way to absorb moisture from the air in your gun safe. Heat in the oven to reactivate it. Consider silica gel dehumidifiers when dehumidifying a very small space but do not have a dehumidifier.

How Do You Keep the Humidity Down in a Safe?

Consider opening your gun safe at least once every 2 weeks (14 days) for at least 20 minutes on average. You should be mindful of the risks of leaving your firearm in a hot and humid environment. Gun safes close to water bodies, laundry rooms, or steamy showers are prone to moisture buildup.