Preventing Moisture Damage: What to Put in Your Gun Safe

What to put in gun safe for moisture? We show you six different ways to keep your closet moist in the simplest way. Check them out for details!

Moisture is always one of the leading causes of adverse effects on metal tools in general and guns in particular.

The impact of humidity on bullets is often very noticeable such as rust or cracking. These damages make the bullet’s trajectory affected or unable to fire.

Moisture proofing for bullets is extremely necessary. Despite having good gun protection, safe models still need many equipment and chemicals to help eliminate moisture inside.

What To Put In Gun Safe For Moisture?

So, what to put in gun safe for moisture? Here are some effective methods to help adjust the humidity for your gun safe.

  • Gun Safe Dehumidifiers
  • Silica Gel Desiccant Pack
  • Light bulb
  • Dry Rice
  • Damp Rid and Mothball
  • Hygrometer

The article will delve into each method. Join us to find out right here!

There are many different methods to adjust the humidity in the safe down to the right level. Here are some standard techniques that a lot of people have used and with good results.

Gun Safe Dehumidifiers

Gun Safe Dehumidifiers

Check out: the Best Gun Safe Dehumidifiers 

Using an automatic dehumidifier is the fastest and most convenient way to deal with excessive moisture in the safe. At the same time, these types of machines are also suitable options to prevent moisture in the first place.

Currently, there are two types of dehumidifiers on the market. The traditional one that uses powerful chemicals to absorb all the water vapor in the air.

The advantage of these machines is that you don’t need to worry about wiring and cheaper costs. In comparison, an electric dehumidifier will turn electricity into heat to eliminate steam or run a fan to remove moisture.

Therefore, the performance of these products will be much more effective than non-electric machines.

Besides the structure, there are also many types of machines with different capacities and sizes. Of course, a mini machine will not be able to absorb all the steam of a too-large safe.

And vice versa, it will be a waste if you use a dehumidifier that is too powerful in a small space. Therefore, depending on the size of the tank, we will need to choose products with appropriate performance.

You can refer to the video below for the best options:

Silica Gel Desiccant Pack

Silica Gel Desiccant Pack

Silica Gel Desiccant Pack

Desiccant packs are a cheap method for you to prevent and treat residual moisture inside your safe. Silica packets can absorb a large amount of water vapor, but the use of the chemical will no longer be after a while.

At this point, you will have to bake in the oven at 250 degrees for two to three hours to remove the heat or buy a new pack.

Lockdown Silica Gel, 750 grams

Light bulb

Light bulb

Light bulb

Using heat from a light bulb is one of the oldest methods, but that doesn’t make it less effective.

The heat from the bulb is relatively high, thereby evaporating all the water vapor in the air. Just like when using electric dehumidifiers, you will need to prepare a line in advance to connect to an external power source.

Baking soda

Baking soda

Baking soda

Sodium Bicarbonate in Baking soda will absorb all the moisture in the air inside your gun safe. Using this chemical is a suitable treatment for emergency dehumidification in the absence of other methods.

Arm & Hammer baking Soda, Fridge-N-Freezer Pack, Odor absorber, 14oz…

Dry Rice

Dry Rice

Dry Rice

In addition to being used as food, dry rice also possesses a unique ability that few people know is hygroscopic.

You can try placing a cup or two of dry rice inside the safe and replacing it every four months. Although the performance of this method is not stable, testing does not take too much effort and time.

Mahatma Extra-Long-Grain Rice 5-Pound Rice Bag, Gluten-Free and…

Damp Rid and Mothball

Similar to Sodium Bicarbonate found in Baking soda, calcium chloride in Damp Rid is an effective hygroscopic substance. So you can put the Damp Rid in the safe to treat and prevent the steam from closing for too long.

Can You Use DampRid In A Gun Safe?

Mothball is also an effective method to combat the ravages of moisture inside a safe. Yet, Mothball itself is not a substance that is friendly to both human hands and gun parts. So keep these chemical pellets as far away from body parts as possible.

Hygrometer:

Installing a hygrometer inside your gun safe allows you to monitor the humidity levels. This way, you can take action if the humidity becomes too high. Hygrometers are available in analog and digital forms.

Sale
AcuRite 00325 Indoor Thermometer & Hygrometer with Humidity Gauge,…
  • Reliable and Accurate Readings: Thermometer and Hygrometer gauge are able to quickly report measurements
  • Multiple Placement Options: Sleek tabletop design with magnet attached on the back for easy placement anywhere
  • Humidity Comfort Level Icon: Ensure proper indoor humidity in any room where the digital humidity and temperature monitor is placed
  • Simple, Easy-to-Read Display: Easily see a snapshot of current conditions at a glance
  • Daily High and Low Indoor Temperature and Humidity Levels: Easily understand your range of conditions in any room
Preventing Moisture Damage: What to Put in Your Gun Safe 8

What Causes Moisture In A Gun Safe?

Many different causes change in the humidity inside the safe and lead to damage to the ammunition. One of the most common causes is misplaced cabinets.

Suppose the cabinet is located in a humid and poorly ventilated place such as a garage, basement, or attic in the house. In that case, there is a very high chance that moisture will enter the cabinet every time you open it.

Besides, places with high-temperature differences will quickly generate steam. And if no control measures are taken, the moisture situation will also be prone to damage the bullets inside.

What Are The Negative Effects Of Moisture On Guns?

rust gun

rust gun

The most significant effect of steam condensing in the storage cabinet is to cause rust and corrosion in all its different forms.

These damages are not only cosmetic but also bring other potential problems.

From minor peeling to more severe dents or even cracks that render the gun completely useless can happen if you do not take timely action. Not only that, but rusty guns are also capable of causing danger to the gun user himself.

In addition, moisture can also reduce the ability of the bullet to ignite, so cockroaches make it difficult for the gun to fire.

What Is The Acceptable Gun Safe Humidity Level?

Eliminating water vapor from the air is almost impossible, especially during seasons of heavy rainfall or humid weather or in areas with high humidity.

The material that makes up the bullet also has a certain level of protection, so as long as the moisture does not exceed the available limit, you can be assured.

According to National Rifle Association standards, the safe humidity for storing guns and ammunition is about 30% to 50% when the air reaches 60-70 degrees. This number may differ slightly under actual conditions, but do not let the error level exceed 10%.

Conclusion

The above are helpful methods to help you deal with the problem of too much moisture inside the gun cabinet. Hopefully, with the ways the article introduces, you can preserve the gun against the adverse effects of steam.

Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Lisa J Thompson
Lisa J Thompson

Hello, my name is Lisa Thompson and I’m the Founder of Safety Hub, your go-to resource for all things home improvement. In this day and age, security should be your top priority, and that’s exactly why my dedicated team of writers and I offer reliable information pertaining to gun storage, home safes, and so much more. When I’m not running the blog, I enjoy gardening and homesteading. As an avid nature lover, I also love going on camping trips. Currently, I happily reside in the heart of Los Angeles.

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