Lisa J Thompson
Weather, especially humidity and temperature, will significantly affect the storage of your guns and weapons. Storing a gun in a safe can help prevent it from being stolen, but it doesn’t prevent corrosion and rust. So, how hot should a gun safe be?
According to the NRA National Firearms Museum, the ideal safe environment for gun storage is 70°F with 50% humidity. There are also a few tools you can use to protect your property from the humidity and high summer heat of storage.
To learn more about this and discover how to protect your weapons, read on!
Firearm storage should not be too hot
How Hot Should Gun Safe Be?
The temperature at which a gun safe should be kept primarily depends on preventing moisture and rust, which can damage firearms. The ideal temperature for gun storage is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 21 degrees Celsius). Maintaining this temperature range helps prevent condensation and excessive humidity inside the safe, reducing the risk of rust and corrosion on firearms. Consistently storing your gun safe at this temperature can help ensure the long-term preservation of your firearms.
Humidity is also a crucial factor in gun safe storage. Ideally, the relative humidity inside the safe should be between 30% and 50%. Proper humidity control helps protect your firearms from moisture-related issues, such as rust and mold. Many gun owners use dehumidifiers or desiccants to maintain the correct humidity levels in their safes.
In regions with extreme weather conditions, such as very hot summers, it’s essential to monitor and regulate the temperature inside your gun safe. Excessive heat can accelerate the aging of firearms and even damage certain components like gunpowder. Therefore, it’s advisable to keep your gun safe in a climate-controlled environment and avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures.
Material
The material for making safes and vaults is the first factor that you need to consider. There are two common types of materials, metal, and wood.
Wood has a high moisture content, between 45 and 50%. Meanwhile, metal has low moisture content to resist corrosion. In winter, a steel cabinet can keep the temperature between 60 and 70°F and the humidity is only about 35 to 40%.
In the summer, sage woods can absorb moisture to increase the RH from 50 to 70%. Whenever you see any signs of moisture in the safe, clean it immediately.
As the temperature increases, the humidity in the air increases. With vaults with poor air circulation, the moisture will increase. Conversely, atmosphere that is too dry can cause wood to crack.
Climate
The air inside the safe depends a lot on the climate where you live.
Hot Area
We recommend using an AC to keep the temperature around the desired range if you live in a hot climate, like the tropics. Places with dry climates and hot weather usually don’t require you to use a dehumidifier.
The material suitable for this type of weather is iron or steel. Metals generally have a longer heating time than ambient air. The best option is cold steel with a thin layer of preservative oil.
You should not choose wooden safes because they are easy to crack.
One issue you need to keep in mind is that your ammunition, your gun is very susceptible to degradation due to the effects of high temperatures. So, you should equip the air conditioning and cooling system to reduce the risk.
See: Can You Store Ammunition In A Gun Safe?
Cold And Humid Area
Those who live in temperate or temperate regions and regularly face harsh winters will need a different storage method.
Wood is a more suitable material in this situation. The temperature in a gun safe made of wood usually takes longer to cool down than for metal. If the temperature drops too low, you can add an internal heating rod.
High humidity is also a major cause of corrosion or rust. Therefore, you need to store your ammunition carefully in tightly closed cans and use a dehumidifier.
How To Keep The Humidity Balanced In A Gun Safe
Keeping moisture inside firearm safes has always been a common problem with gun collectors. There are a few exciting methods, from folk to modern, that you can use to prevent RH from getting out of control.
See: Do Gun Safe Dehumidifiers Work?
Silica gel packets
Using Silica Gel Packets
Dehumidifiers and packets of silica gel beads can reduce the RH in the interior of your safe. To maintain efficiency, you need to replace them periodically and constantly.
Some models require regular charging by plugging the device into the wall. On the other hand, some other appliances will need you to place the packages in the oven before using them.
These units work very well but are not a perfect solution. No matter how often you use them, we still recommend that you check the humidity regularly to detect the slightest changes.
Using A Dehumidifier Rod
Using goldenrod or a desiccant stick is also an excellent method to reduce the humidity inside the safe. All you need to do is place the tool inside the cabinet to control the temperature that warms the circulating air.
To prevent moisture from developing inside the safe, the temperature in gun vaults needs to be 3 degrees higher than outside.
The size of the goldenrods also varies. The most reliable recipe is a 12-inch rod used for 20 cubic feet gun cabinets.
To learn more about the desiccant bar, check out the video below.
Using Rice
Using rice as dehumidifiers
A traditional method of managing temperature and humidity inside safes is to use rice. Take a bowl full of rice and put it inside your safe.
Rice has an outstanding ability to absorb moisture. And the best part is that it is much more economical than the above two options.
Frequently Asked Questions
To learn more about humidity and temperature in gun cabinets, read below.
What is the ideal temperature for a gun safe?
The ideal temperature for a gun safe should be maintained at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 21 degrees Celsius). This temperature range helps prevent condensation and excessive humidity inside the safe, reducing the risk of rust and corrosion on your firearms.
Can a gun safe be too hot?
Yes, a gun safe can be too hot, especially in regions with extreme heat. Excessive heat can accelerate the aging of firearms and may even damage certain components, such as gunpowder. It’s crucial to avoid exposing your gun safe to extreme temperatures and instead keep it in a climate-controlled environment.
Is humidity control important for gun safes?
Yes, humidity control is vital for gun safes. Maintaining the relative humidity inside the safe between 30% and 50% is essential to protect your firearms from moisture-related issues like rust and mold. Many gun owners use dehumidifiers or desiccants to regulate humidity levels effectively.
What precautions should I take in hot summer weather?
During hot summer weather, it’s advisable to monitor the temperature inside your gun safe more closely. Ensure that the safe is kept in a cool, climate-controlled environment to prevent excessive heat from affecting your firearms. Additionally, consider using a dehumidifier to maintain the proper humidity levels.
Are there specific products to control temperature and humidity in gun safes?
Yes, there are various products available to help control temperature and humidity in gun safes. Dehumidifiers, desiccants, and even electronic climate control systems are designed to maintain optimal conditions for firearm storage. Research and choose products that best suit your specific needs and the size of your gun safe.
Remember, proper temperature and humidity control are crucial for preserving the condition of your firearms and ensuring their long-term durability. It’s essential to take these precautions to protect your valuable firearms collection effectively.
Should a firearm cabinet be airtight?
Gun safes aren’t entirely airtight, and best of all, they shouldn’t be.
See: Are Gun Safes Airtight?
The manufacturer designed this type of device with several vents. Their primary purpose is to allow the airflow inside the safe to circulate.
In addition to helping the air circulate to balance humidity and temperature, those holes also play a role in protecting the user’s safety in some cases, for example, when bullets start to leak.
You should store guns and ammunition in cool places
How hot is too hot for firearm storage?
According to the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) standards, the ideal storage temperature for ammunition and firearms is between 55°F and 85°F. You should avoid temperatures exceeding 150°F.
On hot summer days, the temperature in the trunk of your car can reach 172°F and easily damage the device.
Final Thoughts
Storing guns and ammunition is not easy. In addition to choosing a quality gun storage, you also have to pay attention to the atmosphere inside the device.
Make sure that the temperature and humidity levels are always in balance. Not only will it protect your precious weapon collection, but it will also keep safes to last longer. Don’t hesitate to use tools to get the best preservation effect.
