Exposing your firearms to excess moisture can cause rust, corrosion, mold, and mildew, all of which can damage them and affect their performance. If you own a firearm, and subsequently a gun safe, you know how important it is to protect your firearms from moisture and humidity. That’s why you need a gun safe dehumidifier.
A safe dehumidifier reduces the humidity level inside your safe to keep your guns dry and safe. There are many types and models of dehumidifiers on the market, each with its own features, benefits, and drawbacks.
How do you choose the best gun safe dehumidifier for your needs? In this article, we’ll review some of the most popular and effective gun safe dehumidifiers and help you find the one that suits your budget, preferences, and safe size.
Types of Gun Safe Dehumidifiers
There are three main types of gun safe dehumidifiers: electric, desiccant, and renewable. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your situation and preferences.
Electric Dehumidifiers
Electric dehumidifiers use electricity to heat up a metal rod or coil inside your safe. The heat generated creates a warm and dry air flow that circulates inside your safe and lowers the humidity level. These dehumidifiers are effective and can handle large safes with high humidity levels. But they are not easy to install and use, as you need to plug them into an outside power source.
This type of dehumidifier has some drawbacks, including;
- They require a constant power source, increasing the risk of electrical hazards.
- Electric dehumidifiers consume energy and can increase your electricity bill.
- Generating too much heat inside your safe can damage some sensitive items such as ammunition or optics.
Top electric dehumidifier picks:
The Lockdown Automatic Dehumidifier is a great product for anyone who wants to keep their storage area dry and safe.
This dehumidifier uses a thermo-electric process to remove moisture from the air. You can set your desired humidity level and the device will automatically turn on and off as needed. It is easy to use, quiet, and efficient. It comes in two sizes: compact and full size, depending on your storage space and needs.
Pros
- Only runs when necessary, hence saving money and power.
- Comes with simple electronic controls and monitors that make it easy to regulate and adjust humidity levels.
- Features a sleek design that blends with your gun safe.
This is one of the most popular and trusted electric dehumidifiers for gun safes. It comes in different sizes ranging from 12” to 36” depending on the size of your safe. It has a lifetime warranty and is made in the USA. It is easy to install and maintain and produces gentle heat not to harm your firearms.
3. Hornady Electronic Gun Safe Dehumidifier Rod
This is a reliable electric dehumidifier that comes in two sizes: 12” and 18”. It has a detachable plug for easy installation and a quick-connect bracket for mounting. It has an LED indicator that shows when it is working and an automatic shut-off feature that prevents overheating. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.
Desiccant Dehumidifiers
Unlike electric dehumidifiers, these devices use a material called desiccant to absorb moisture from the air inside your safe. Desiccant is a substance that has a high affinity for water and can retain them in its pores or crystals. Desiccant dehumidifiers are usually in the form of packets, canisters, or bags that contain silica gel, clay, or other types of desiccants.
Desiccant dehumidifiers are very convenient and versatile, as they do not require any power source or installation. You just need to place them inside your safe and let them do their job. They are also very portable and can be used in any location or environment. Desiccant dehumidifiers are ideal for small safes with low to moderate humidity levels.
Here are some of the desiccant dehumidifier limitations:
- They have a limited capacity and need to be replaced or recharged periodically when they become saturated with moisture.
- Some don’t feature color change indicators for when charging which may require you to monitor them manually.
Some examples of desiccant dehumidifiers are:
This is a large canister containing 750 grams of silica gel, which can absorb up to 57% of its weight in moisture. It comes with a clear lid that allows you to see the color of the silica gel, which changes from orange to dark green when it needs to be recharged. To recharge it, you just need to place it in an oven at 325°F for 3 hours.
2) High-Performance Moisture Absorber Dehumidifier for Pistol and Rifle Firearms
This is a new and innovative dehumidifier product from Cedar Mill Fine Firearms. The Cedar Mill rechargeable silica gel desiccant helps you maintain a humidity level of 30% to 50% in your gun safe, which is the ideal range for preventing rust and corrosion on your metal parts and cracking or warping on your wood stocks.
The silica gel has a special dot indicator that shows its status. When the dot is blue, it means the silica gel is ready to use. When the dot turns pink, it means the silica gel is full of moisture and needs to be recharged. To recharge the product, you simply put it in a microwave for a few seconds or minutes, depending on how much moisture it has absorbed and the power level of your microwave.
3) Zarpax Reusable Outdoor Gear and Gun Safe Dehumidifier
This is a unique and innovative renewable dehumidifier that comes in the shape of a pouch or bag. It contains activated charcoal and silica gel beads, which can absorb moisture and odors from your safe. It has an indicator strip that shows the color of the beads, which change from blue to pink when it needs to be recharged. To recharge it, you just need to place it in a microwave for 6 minutes.
Renewable Dehumidifiers
Renewable dehumidifiers use both absorbent technology and electricity to reduce the humidity level inside your safe. They are similar to desiccant dehumidifiers since they use materials such as silica gel to absorb moisture from the air. However, unlike desiccant dehumidifiers, they have an internal heating element that automatically recharges the material when it becomes saturated with moisture.
Pros
- They are convenient and efficient.
- Do not require regular maintenance.
- They are eco-friendly and cost-effective.
- They are suitable for medium-sized safes with moderate to high humidity levels.
Cons
- They require a power source.
- It can compromise your safe’s security and fire resistance.
- Generating heat inside your safe can damage some sensitive items such as ammunition or optics.
Some examples of renewable dehumidifiers are:
1. Afloia Mini Gun Safe Dehumidifier
Afloia is a small and lightweight device containing 350 ml of water capacity and can remove up to 250 ml of moisture per day. It has an LED indicator that shows when it is working and when it needs to be recharged. It also has an auto shut-off feature that prevents overheating and water overflow.
2. Eva-Dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier
This is another popular renewable dehumidifier with a compact and portable design. It contains 6 ounces of water tank capacity and can remove up to 4 ounces of moisture per day. It has an indicator window that shows the color of the crystals, which change from orange to green when it needs to be recharged. You just need to plug it into an outlet for 8-10 hours to recharge it.
3. Hornady Rechargeable Gun Safe Dehumidifier
Hornady rechargeable comes in a compact and sleek design. It contains 40 grams of silica gel, which can absorb up to 15% of its weight in moisture. It has an LCD screen that displays the humidity level and the status of the device. It also has a built-in micro-USB port that allows you to recharge it with any standard USB power source.
Choosing the Best Gun Safe Dehumidifier
Now that you know the different types and models of gun safe dehumidifiers, how do you choose the best one for your needs? Here are some factors to consider before making your decision:
- Size of your safe
The size of your safe determines how much moisture you need to remove and how powerful your dehumidifier should be. Generally, larger safes require more powerful dehumidifiers than smaller safes.
Electric and renewable dehumidifiers are more suitable for large safes, while desiccant dehumidifiers are more suitable for small safes
- Humidity level in your location
The humidity level in your location affects how much moisture you need to remove and how often you need to recharge or replace your dehumidifier. Generally, higher humidity levels require more frequent recharging or replacement than lower humidity levels.
You can use a hygrometer to measure the humidity level in your safe and adjust your dehumidifier accordingly.
- Power source availability
The power source availability determines whether you can use electric or renewable dehumidifiers or not. If you have an outlet near your safe or can run a power cord through a hole in your safe, you can use electric or renewable dehumidifiers. If not, you can only use desiccant dehumidifiers.
- Budget and preferences
The budget and preferences determine how much you are willing to spend and what features you are looking for in your dehumidifier.
Electric and renewable dehumidifiers are more expensive and energy-consuming than desiccant dehumidifiers. Despite the cost, they are more effective and convenient.
Desiccant dehumidifiers are cheaper and eco-friendly, but they are also less powerful and require more maintenance.
Related Resources
Review of the Lockdown Puck Smart Security Monitor
7 Proper Firearm Care and Storage Tips
Conclusion
A gun safe dehumidifier is a must-have accessory for any gun owner who wants to protect their firearms from moisture and humidity. There are many types and models of gun safe dehumidifiers on the market, each with its own pros and cons.
To choose the best one for your needs, you need to consider the size of your safe, the humidity level in your location, the power source availability, and your budget and preferences.
We hope this article has helped you find the best gun safe dehumidifier for your firearms.
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