Do I Need a Dehumidifier for my Gun Safe?

When it comes to protecting your firearms, you want to make sure that they’re safe and secure. So, you bought a gun safe to protect them and your loved ones.

But what if the humidity inside of your gun safe is so high that it’s actually damaging the finish on your guns? 

We’ll help you understand why dehumidifiers are important for maintaining a healthy environment in your gun safe in some conditions and talk about affordable options to control humidity.

Why do I need a dehumidifier for my gun safe?

Even if you live in a relatively dry climate, it’s still necessary to maintain the humidity inside of your gun safe at low levels. This is because when hot air from outside gets into the safe it can quickly begin to get humid and then wet [especially if there is moisture on the interior walls].  

So what happens when water gets on your guns?

Well, water can cause your firearm to rust. This may not be an issue right away, but over time it will cause your firearm to corrode, which eventually leads to the metal falling apart.

Rusty firearms aren’t much use when SHTF. Not only are they unreliable in injuring threats, but also could potentially injure you or a loved one.

How much humidity is too much?

It’s tough to say, but the safe range is anywhere from 30% to 65%. Also, there are many different types of guns and they all have differing tolerances for humidity levels. So you really need to check with the manufacturer for their recommendation before making any purchases.

Do I need a dehumidifier if my gun safe is inside?

Yes, you still want to control the humidity even if your safe is inside. The important measurement is the humidity level of the room the safe is in and the swings in temperature.

What are the best ways to lower humidity in your gun safe?

Maintaining a temperature of 70 degrees is the most effective way to control humidity.

Larger safes have more problems with humidity because they tend not to be as efficient at keeping outside air out and don’t maintain a constant temperature.

How does a dehumidifier work?

Dehumidifiers simply remove water from the air. They do this through a process called condensation where the unit removes moisture from the air and lowers humidity levels inside your gun safe. 

The best way to activate one is to leave it running for at least 12 hours to let it collect as much water as possible. Then you can drain the water once it reaches a certain level.

What kind of dehumidifier should I get?

For smaller safes, you can likely get away with using an appliance humidifier that has continuous drainage . For larger gun safes, you may need to use a commercial unit because they are more powerful and therefore able to collect more water

What are alternatives to dehumidifiers

If you just need to maintain the humidity level in your safe, then you can use silica gel packs . They’re small and don’t take up much space. Also, they’re very affordable at $0.03 per day (with continuous operation). There are also some DIY solutions like using an air conditioner or defogging a mirror near the gun safe.

TLDR;

It’s important to maintain the humidity level in your gun safe at low levels. To do this, you can use a dehumidifier or silica gel packs – both are affordable and easy-to-use options that will protect your guns from rusting over time. If these solutions don’t work for you, consult with the manufacturer of the gun before making any purchases because there may be other alternatives available.