By Marcie Young | Contributing Writer
A reliable gun safe protects your valuable firearms from thieves and keeps them out of children’s hands, but what it can’t protect them from is Mother Nature.
If you live in a humid location, especially if you open your safe frequently, moisture can enter your safe and cause your firearms to rust.
Luckily, this is easily preventable by purchasing a dehumidifier for your gun safe, and there are several such accessories available. Gun Safe dehumidifiers can prevent moisture from getting into the safe by either pulling it out of the air (desiccant) or avoiding moisture through heat (electric.)
Shopping for such an accessory is not difficult, and one can select based on such variables as the size of the safe and one’s budget. Balance the cost of the dehumidifier against the cost of damage to valuable firearms, and the math quickly tells the tale.
For the purpose of this article, I’ve listed several choices one might consider.
1. Zarpax Camouflage (Best Outdoor)
This dehumidifier works well if you’re protecting guns in a cabin, in an RV, or another outdoors location. The desiccant humidifier consists of a small camouflage bag, whose color changes depending on how much moisture it absorbs. Once it reaches capacity, you can put the desiccant in a microwave for 6 minutes to recharge it! (The microwave treatment removes the accumulated moisture).
At under $20, the Zarpax works well if you don’t want to spend too much on your outdoors safe. However, I recommend trying something else for a central safe, as the desiccant design does not hold a large amount of moisture.
According to Zarpax, these bags are “designed to protect the belongings that are at risk from moisture damage. Experienced hunters and shooters know to maintain their firearms and gear with the greatest care. Moisture control is vital in keeping equipment in optimal condition; in both outdoor use and storage. The Zarpax reusable dehumidifier for Outdoor Gear, Guns & Ammo offers a quick and easy way to protect your possessions from dampness.”
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to know when you need to “recharge” it
- Quick microwave recharge
Cons:
2. Lockdown Goldenrod (Best Electric)
For your central safe, I recommend an electric dehumidifier. As long as you have a place to plug it in, you can prevent moisture from getting into your safe at all times. This electric rod goes from 12-36 inches, making it ideal for safes of all sizes. Its pricing goes from $31-$56, depending on the length you buy.
With its included legs, you can place the rod on the ground or above, making it ideal for safes that may have a problematic interior.
Pros:
- Up to 500 cubic feet of reach
- Available in four sizes
- Easy to set up
Cons:
- The cord is short
- The temperature might not be hot enough for some applications
3. Afloia (Best Mini)
For those gun owners considering a discreet mini dehumidifier, the Afloia is the way to go. This 360-degree dehumidifier does not require cords or batteries, instead relying on its many silica beads. Once the beads turn dark green, pop it on its heating base for two hours to recharge the beads and evaporate the accumulated moisture.
Despite its small size, the Afloia can remove moisture from up to 54 square feet of space. This range makes it a great choice for smaller safes or as a supplement to an electric rod. Another plus is that you can purchase two of them for $49.99, only $10 more than the one-pack version.
Pros:
- Small yet powerful
- Included charging base is smart and will shut off after two hours
- You can purchase two for double the power
Cons:
- You’ll need to charge it weekly
4. Fire Arm Dehumidifier (Best Natural)
Finally, we have the Fire Arm Dehumidifier, which uses natural, plant-based materials to absorb moisture and smell. This dehumidifier is ideal if you want to avoid any harsh chemicals or if you want something small and easy to use. At around $15, it also works well if you want something cheap.
Instead of using a microwave or a charger, this dehumidifier recharges by simply removing it from the burlap hang bag and allow to dry. Put it outside for a few hours, and it should be ready.
Pros:
- Uses all-natural ingredients
- No electricity required
- It has a unique bag with several designs to choose from
Cons:
- It might not be as powerful as artificial dehumidifiers
Conclusion
These humidifiers will keep your guns dry while in the safe. Of course maintaining your firearms regularly by cleaning and oiling will ensure that they last even longer, so make sure to perform regular firearms maintenance, no matter what part of the country in which you reside.
After doing her BA from ASU, Marcie Young held various jobs in different industries. She is now passionate about growing her blog where she writes about various topics related to gun safety, firearms ownership, and self-defense. She is a strong advocate of the 2nd amendment after a horrible experience she has had on the streets.
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