Why you should have a Gun Safe Dehumidifier

Hornady Reusable Canister Dehumidifier

It doesn’t matter if you are a small gun safe owner or a large one. A good gun-safe dehumidifier should be one of the first accessories to buy on your list! 

They are cheap and provide the best value for money, given the job they do inside a gun safe. A dehumidifier for gun safe, as the name suggests, keeps humidity out of your safe. Humidity is moisture present in the atmosphere, and you don’t want too much of it inside your safe. 

Anything stored inside an enclosed space will not enjoy high humidity. This applies especially to firearms. Although most firearms will handle it, you still would not want to expose it to too much moisture unnecessarily. In the worst cases, this may cause rust, mold, and can even cause jamming while firing the weapons.

We would suggest you aim to maintain a relative humidity of under 50% inside your safe, as a general rule of thumb. It is important to note that relative humidity increases as the temperature increases. So, if you live in a very hot region, your will need to crank up your dehumidifier, than someone living in a cooler area to maintain the same level. 

In this list, we take a look at the best gun safe dehumidifiers out there. Also, we have a bonus accessory for your consideration, which is very important as well. So, definitely stick till the end! 

Silica Gel Based Dehumidifier for Gun Safe

These dehumidifiers are some of the best gun-safe dehumidifiers out there. A silica gel-based dehumidifier for gun safe contains pellets of water-absorbent silica gel that sucks the moisture out of the air. 

These are the simplest dehumidifiers to use inside a gun safe. They are ideal for small to mid size gun safes. If you have a large gun safe, then these might not be the most effective solutions for you. But then again, you can add many units until you are happy with the result. 

So let’s take a look at some of the best silica gel based dehumidifier for gun safe out there. 

Hornady Reusable Canister Dehumidifier

The Hornady Reusable Canister Dehumidifier ($45.81) is a portable and easy-to-use dehumidifier for gun safe. Place it at one corner of your safe and forget about it. It will protect your firearms and other valuables from rust and corrosion. 

The all metal construction gives it a very rugged look appropriate for gun safe usage. It comes in two sizes, the normal one and the XL. Both have moisture absorbent desiccant crystals that change from blue to pink when it’s time to recharge.

To recharge all you have to do it place the canister in a 300 degree Fahrenheit oven (up to 4 hours). That’s it, then you can use it again. . 

SD SILENT DRY Pioneer Dehumidifier

SD SILENT DRY Pioneer Dehumidifier

If a canister design is not for you, then the SD SILENT DRY Pioneer Dehumidifier ($30.99) would be perfect for your gun safe. 

The military style design of this compact dehumidifier will go perfectly with your guns. The protective frame also avoids any friction or bump.

Each bar can effectively control the relative humidity to less than 60%, and can last up to 4 weeks. If you have a bigger safe, you might need more than 1 block. It also features a humidity indicator on the side. When it is wet, all you have to do to recharge it, is place it inside a microwave or an oven.

These bars are perfect for small hand gun safes and other tactical storage units. 

Dry & Dry Silica Gel Packets (200 packets)

This is the simplest way to dehumidify a gun safe. Just throw in some of these Dry & Dry Silica Gel Packets ($24.97) inside your safe, and you are good to go. 

Of course, these are not custom-made gun safe dehumidifiers and won’t work on larger safes. But if you own a bedside gun safe or a lock box, these packets are perfect for you. They don’t break the bank, and deliver similar results to the ones mentioned above. 

It is even a good idea to have these packets handy, even if you have a dedicated gun safe dehumidifier. You can use them inside your ammo pouches and document holders for some extra protection. 

Electric Dehumidifier for Gun Safe

An electric dehumidifier for gun safe is also a silica gel based device. The only difference being they have an electrical outlet for easy reactivation. 

Some have separate heating units, others can simply plug into a wall socket! 

Afloia Gun Safe Dehumidifier

Afloia Gun Safe Dehumidifier

The Afloia Gun Safe Dehumidifier ($49.99) is definitely the fanciest and most modern one on our list. Despite that, it is pretty easy on the pockets. 

This sleek looking dehumidifier comes in two parts. The silica gel tower and the base heater. You can choose to use it with the base inside your safe, if it has a power outlet. Or else, you can just use the tower and keep the heater plugged in outside. 

Depending on the type of safe, the tower will last about 1 to 3 weeks. After that, it can be recharged using the base heater. If you decide to keep the entire system inside your safe, then it will function automatically. 

Eva-dry E-500 (4 pack)

Eva-dry E-500 (4 pack)

The Eva-dry E-500 (4 pack) ($110.29) is a highly rated gun safe dehumidifier. We believe this pack of 4 is a great deal, given the fact that these things last a long time. These are 100% wireless, 100% renewable, and has a 10-year life span!

The E-500 is a high capacity model suitable for all sizes of gun safes. Each unit will absorb approximately 10 oz. of moisture. Depending on the humidity levels, it can last up to 8 weeks at a time. There is an indicator that changes from blue to pink, telling you when the unit needs to be recharged. 

To recharge, all you have to do is plug it into a power outlet. The built-in heater will heat up the silica gels, releasing the moisture. It takes approximately 12 hrs, to completely recharge a unit. Then its ready to be used again!

Rod Style Dehumidifier for Gun Safe

A rod style dehumidifier for gun safe is essentially a large resistor inside a tube. It heats up the air inside the safe to several degrees above ambient temperatures. This creates a convection air current inside your gun safe thus, keeping the humidity down. 

This type of gun safe dehumidifier is a great idea for people who live in high humidity areas. Of course, you would need a power source to power a rod style humidifier. So make sure you’re safe, has an option to feed wiring outside it, or had a power adapter built into it. 

Liberty Gun Safe Dehumidifier Rod

The Liberty Gun Safe Dehumidifier Rod (26.99) is quite an affordable option for most safe owners. It comes in two different sizes, so you can choose between 12 or 18 inches depending on your safe size. 

This gun safe dehumidifier rod can maintain a surface temperature of around 120 degrees. Thus, creating a very strong dehumidifying effect inside the safe. 

If you have a big long gun safe, you might need to put up two of these just to be safe.

Lockdown Goldenrod Gun Safe Dehumidifier Rod (pack of 2)

Lockdown's Goldenrod Gun Safe Dehumidifier Rod

Lockdown’s Goldenrod Gun Safe Dehumidifier Rod ($101.01) is another great option for people who own long gun safes. 

Even this gun safe dehumidifier rod comes in two sizes. The 18 inch one can cover an area up to 200 cubic feet. So, you can use it for almost all big gun safes. 

The rod features attachable legs for ease of placement, and a 6 foot cord, which should be enough for all kinds of safe. 

Bonus accessory for a Gun Safe with Dehumidifier

As promised, here is a bonus accessory that you need to use with a gun safe dehumidifier. It’s a thermometer/hygrometer unit, which will measure the temperature and the relative humidity inside your gun safe.

SensorPush HT.w Wireless Thermometer/Hygrometer

The SensorPush HT.w Wireless Thermometer/Hygrometer ($49.99) is a smart Hygrometer. 

The sensors are Swiss made, and professional grade equipment. Providing you with the most accurate information. The design is water-resistant, splash-proof and weatherproof, so it can be used outdoors as well.

You can choose to use a ThermoPro TP55, which is a safe hygrometer with a large digital display. But for $30 more, you can get a smart device which can connect to your phone via bluetooth! 

The SensorPush also give you extra readings, such as the Dewpoint and the Vapour Pressure Density. This device is a must have for gun safe owners. 

In conclusion, a gun safe dehumidifier is essential for any kind of gun storage. 

In case you just own a small handgun safe, you can get away with just a silica gel dehumidifier. But, if you own a long gun safe, we highly recommend that you spend the extra cash and get yourself a decent gun safe dehumidifier, along with a hygrometer. 

Check out our recommendations for gun accessories

FAQ

What is the best dehumidifier for a gun safe?

Both rechargeable silica gel-based or heating rod-based dehumidifiers are best for gun safes. 

What size dehumidifier do I need for my gun safe?

It will completely depend on the size of your gun safe and your geographic location. 

Bigger safes in humid climates will most certainly need a heating rod-based dehumidifier. On the other hand, small gun safes should be fine with rechargeable silica gel canisters. 

Where to place a dehumidifier in the gun safe?

For rechargeable silica gel dehumidifiers, it is best to place the canisters or packets inside the safe near the back wall. 

For heating rod-based dehumidifiers, it is advisable to mount them inside the safe, on one of the sidewalls closer to the door. 

Who makes the best gun safe dehumidifier? 

Eva-Dry makes the best rechargeable silica gel-based dehumidifiers. Hornady and Liberty make the best heating rod-based dehumidifier.

Why put a dehumidifier in a gun safe?

Humidity and dampness in an enclosed space are the enemies of firearms and ammunition. Thus, a dehumidifier is an absolute must for any safe.

Guidance

How to install a dehumidifier in a liberty gun safe?

If you have spent that much on a Liberty gun safe, it is imperative that you keep moisture out of your safe. Most Liberty dehumidifiers will ship with an instruction manual. But these are general instructions that should work with most gun safes. 

Step 1: Drilling access hole

Most safes will have a pre-drilled electrical access hole near the bottom. If your safe doesn’t, then you will have to drill one before moving onto Step 2. 

Step 2: Mount the heating element

Start by identifying the best placement for your heating rod. Then, use the mounting clips to mount the heating rod in place. The rod must be mounted horizontally and should be as low as possible.

Step 3: Feeding the wire outside

If your safe doesn’t have an internal electrical outlet, you will need to remove the plug housing so that you can push that end through the safe wall to the outside. After that, you can reattach the plug securely in place.

Step 4: Organise the wiring

Then route the electrical wire inside the safe as cleanly as possible to end the installation. 

Note: Make sure that the heating rod and the wire is not interfering with any hinges, locking lugs, or shelving units. 

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