Gun safe desiccant

diverdon

diverdon

Constitutionalist, by choice
Full Member
Minuteman
    • Dec 21, 2011
    6,433
    8,369
    WNY
    #1
    I recently got a new Liberty gun safe. It is a really nice looking and well built safe. The day before I got it I was picking up some household cleaners at Walmart. I came across this Damprid for closets. I never much liked the electronic safe warmers so I thought what the heck. http://www.walmart.com/ip/DampRid-Hanging-Moisture-Absorber-3ct/15033113 I picked up a three pack for $7.87.

    I got the safe home and hung one of the damprid things in it then proceeded to fill the safe with "my stuff." You can see on the pic on the link how the damprid has a desiccant pack over a water bag. Two days later when I opened the safe the water bag was nearly full. It had perhaps 2 or three cups of water in it. I wonder if the safe interior had a lot of water in it left over from when it was made, of it it picked up some water in the dealer's warehouse.

    It was really nice to be able to see how much water had been in the safe. Also it is easy to see when the Desiccant is used up. I kind of like the product The only slight drawback is that you have to hang it somewhere in the safe and that takes about the same room as a gun. But over all I am very happy not to be storing "my stuff." with three cups of water.
     
    #3
    Re: Gun safe desiccant

    You can also buy dessicant from a automotive paint supplier. It comes in bulk most of the time and you can pour some in your wifes knee highs and hang em up. You can also get the little litmus strips that change colors when the dessicant is used up. I did this as I work in the paint industry. Works great for me
     
    #4
    Re: Gun safe desiccant

    I have been using Damprid in a gunsafe for + ten years. From my experience, it works really good. According to multiple science-type websites it is primarily Calcium Chloride, driveway salt alternative. Just have to check the label to be sure it's not regular salt. My intention is to get a bag and try it for a month to see the result. Another thing I found helpful is to keep the refill container in the freezer.
     
    #5
    Re: Gun safe desiccant

    I wonder if there would be any benefit to sealing the safe with some of that thin rubber, self-adheasive, weatherstripping. It might keep the desiccant from pulling in moisture from outside the safe.

    I was using one of those desiccant packs that you plug into an AC outlet to dry out. It seemed to work fine, but I didn't do a very good job of staying on top of it. That and because I'm out of town every once in a while, I ended up switching to a Golden Rod, even though it wasn't my first choice, either.
     
    #6
    Re: Gun safe desiccant

    Put a 12” or 18” dri-rod in there and a sheet of bullfrog anti-rust emitter and forget about the weekly or bi-weekly maintenance. Once a year, put a new emitter shield in it and its GTG.
     
    #7
    Re: Gun safe desiccant

    I've been using the damp rid in the small tubs in my safe and it has worked very well. I picked it up at Lowe's in the cleaning products section.

    I also put weather stripping around the safe door. My safe was at 56% and it's now down at 42%, and it continues to slowly drop. It's a new safe and I'm sure it's just taking time to dry out.

    I'm monitoring the humidity with this AcuRite and it works great:

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004K8RF10/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00
     
    #8
    Re: Gun safe desiccant

    Oh, and I started off with some of these small dry-packs and obviously they weren't enough. The humidity wasn't dropping at all and the packs turned from orange to green very quickly.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0025OO8DO/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01

    I checked the AcuRite by placing it outside and it was responding correctly. So I then added the weatherstrip and damp rid tubs and the humidity immediatly started to drop.
     
    #12
    Re: Gun safe desiccant

    Shoe stores have millions of those little desiccant packs, so I just go to one and ask for a few handfuls of them. Change them out every six months and you're good to go plus it doesn't cost a thing.
     
    #13
    Re: Gun safe desiccant

    I've been a big fan of the low-maintenance VCI's. I use the Browning Zerust Vapor Capsule in my safe and have been rust free for years. Also use the small cardboard chips sold at Midway to toss in with brass, reloading dies, tools, etc. Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors just work for me...
     
    #16
    Re: Gun safe desiccant

    Like said above, Damprid comes in a small bucket. No need to hang. Much more convenient than the hanging type. Also pick up a cheapo ($10-$15) digital thermometer with humidity readings to double check conditions.
     
    #17
    Re: Gun safe desiccant

    There is a great deal of excellent material on some old threads on this topic, too much to lay back out here again.

    That moisture you see in your new safe is you taking the moisture out of your fire board protection material. Many safes rely on a form of fire protection that "steams out" when brought up to temperature for a final layer of protection. What are they protecting...what most safe target...cash and important documents. It takes very different materials and construction to get fire proofing without water. Keep getting your water out and it will stabilize. You wont want firearms left in a safe after a real burn anyway.

    There are those that believe that Damprid "gasses off" in use and do not recommend it for either wood or metal.

    I have yet to see a "plug in" silica item that is worth a hill of beans. To really get to the point where you can SAFELY go three months in coastal heavy weather areas you need to go large (minimum 750gm)

    http://www.amazon.com/Dry-Packs-750gm-Indicating-Silica-Canister/dp/B003QZ6PZ0

    They will serve you well your whole life..longer. They need to be cooked off at 325 for 3 hours, something a plug in can only dream of when they grow up. When they are dry, they can take your safe down to 40s perpetually.

    Stockings and silica, bad idea. Silica is not something you ever want to touch your steel items. Pay the money, get a canister with built in gauge.

    Best advice was about getting a hygrometer. Without one you are lost.

    My favorite one. HI/LO, DP, alarm and remote read. Great quality and can sit outside your safe and read inside.

    http://www.1cooltool.com/AirTool-552684-...mote_Probe.html

    Heated rods:

    In a sealed safe (few truly are) you start your own perfect rain forest, hot wet and muggy unless you have something to dry out the air. All any rod does is move the air.

    In an open safe (most are) well, out goes the heat through the top and in comes a nice constant stream of whatever the outside environment is.

    Sealing your safe is best if you can get it dry as it will remain....er, dry.

    Unsealed safes is exactly that.

    Good luck.


     
    #18
    Re: Gun safe desiccant

    I use 5 eva-dry's spread around the safe (every once in a while amazon does a multipack). I used to use a big 750 gram canister but my oven is not a modern convection affair and it will not properly recharge in a reasonable time. The eva dry's are just easier. I recharge about every 2 months. I have had no luck with the stupid golden rod things so I don't even have one any more.

    For ammo I use one 40 gram rechargeable canister in each ammo can. I also use about 3 of these in each big mortar box that my presses are in as well. These are small enough that they recharge ok in my oven. For dies I have VCI chips in the Forster die boxes (best boxes ever, I need more). I should probably get some fresh VCI chips as mine are a bit old now.
     
    #20
    A small heating element inside the safe is supposed to be a great way to keep it dry. It does not make it real hot just warm enough to drive out the moisture. Many wont want to drill their safe if it is not already set up for one or no power is available. The #1 one best thing I have found is a refrigeration drier core like this
    rcw.jpgcore.jpg

    Just take the top off and set it inside. every six months or year put it in the oven at 250 for an hour and its good to go again.

    If you dry out the safe too much, static electricity could become a problem.
     
    #21
    Ideally you want your humidity in the 40's, and temperature a minimum of 10 degrees higher than what your hydrometer is reading (dew point). There is such a thing as too dry if you have any firearms with wood stocks. I think the most important thing is to keep the climate your creating constant, and avoid big temperature and humidity swings. I also like to run a dehumidifier in my gun room to keep the air around my safe stable.
     
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