Thread: Storing Firearms in your Safe...Proper temperature question???

Is it ok to store guns in a safe (with a dehumidifier) in cold temps? Perhaps, like a having your safe in the garage during winter?

Works for me - Particularly if you ahve a "Good" dehumidifier.

I would be more worried Hot and humid

I use a safe heating rod and a dehumidifier and I have never had an issue. The room I keep them in was part of the garage and is not heated. It gets really cold.

Constant temperature is more important than physical temperature... that's why goldenrods or similar heaters work. Temperature swings cause moisture to condense on the surface of the guns. I always try to keep the safe open for as little amount of time as possible to keep the temp constant.

is there a way to test the dehumidifier to see how well it is working?

Throw in a slice of white bread and see if it turns moldy.

There are digital thermometers that also show humidity level for under $20.

thats firearms abuse.put the kids in the garage,the dining room table,whatever you have to to make room for the gun safe in the house,lol.

I use a Hydrosorbent Dehumidifier ( Dehumidify.com | Stop moisture damage before it begins ) and so far it works well. Has a blue dot that turns pink when full of moisture. Heat in oven for a few hours and it is ready to go again. Make sure to let it cool before grabbing it out of the oven. Has to stay in the garage because the container it keeps dry is over 4000 pounds.
Good luck,
Mike

I have used those for storing in ammo cans and gun cases - surprising how short they lasted before having to regenerate. MAybe safes are better

I have a 12" Goldenrod running in mine along with a Eva-dry E-500 dehumidifier in my 31 cubit foot safe. I never remember to look at the temp, but it keeps the Rh at about 50% all the time.

Check the seals around your safe door. If you don't hear a whooshing sound when closing the door, your factory seal is letting moisture in.
Most safes have a reactive seal that swells up and protects the contents, but does a poor job of keeping out air laden moisture.
I ran an extra strip of common adhesive backed foam around the inner flange, and it made an airtight seal that stopped all infiltration.

Originally Posted by jbett98

Check the seals around your safe door. If you don't hear a whooshing sound when closing the door, your factory seal is letting moisture in.
Most safes have a reactive seal that swells up and protects the contents, but does a poor job of keeping out air laden moisture.
I ran an extra strip of common adhesive backed foam around the inner flange, and it made an airtight seal that stopped all infiltration.

Those seals are designed to expand when heated like in a fire. Keeping the air out is dandy... just till you open the door and then that dang air just gets in there again! I'm sure the foam idea isn't horrible but it doesn't take the place of a goldenrod or desiccant if you decide you need to go to that extent.

Originally Posted by DAPSRT

Those seals are designed to expand when heated like in a fire. Keeping the air out is dandy... just till you open the door and then that dang air just gets in there again! I'm sure the foam idea isn't horrible but it doesn't take the place of a goldenrod or desiccant if you decide you need to go to that extent.

I have a Goldenrod, but it does little good if a faulty seal lets the cold air wick in at the bottom and the warmer air draft out the top.

I agree to some degree... just saying thats not what those seals are for. I certainly will not disagree that a better seal is probably more effective... except in the case when you might put something that is humid inside.. then you might run into problems with too good of a seal.

Originally Posted by DAPSRT

I agree to some degree... just saying thats not what those seals are for. I certainly will not disagree that a better seal is probably more effective... except in the case when you might put something that is humid inside.. then you might run into problems with too good of a seal.

That's what the desiccant is for.

You actually do not want an airtight seal. You want air to be able to flow. Then if you do your job and the temperature inside the safe is warmer (even by a small amount) than outside the safe you are golden.

I think we're realistically all on the same page here!!

75 degrees and 15% humidity in my safe.

Better to let your safe breathe. Air tight and you end up with a green house over your guns. Not good. A golden rod is merely a heater and it's purpose is to circulate the air.