A frequent question asked of the Gun Safe Reviewer is along the lines of "What do I need a dehumidifier for?" This post will hopefully answer those questions, and also address the different types of humidifiers. I'll follow this post up as well and tie up any loose ends.
The Purpose of a Gun Safe Dehumidifier
The dehumidifier's purpose is to make sure no condensation forms inside the gun safe-and, more importantly, on your weapons. Condensation is a gun's mortal enemy! It causes metal to rust and can leave your safe with a nasty, moldy stench that you can not get rid of. Depending on where your safe is located and what your climate is like, condensation can form inside a safe due to the change in temperature or in areas of high humidity, not to mention how it can get in there after a day of hunting in rainy or snowy weather.
Types of Dehumidifiers
Basically, there are two types of gun safe dehumidifiers. One type is electric and the other is a desiccant.
The desiccant dehumidifier is really your only choice if your safe is not near an electrical outlet (other than stringing electrical cords around). A desiccant is basically a sponge that acts like a magnet for water. Like a sponge that needs to be wrung out, the desiccant also needs to be wrung out (or dried out) after it's full. This can be anywhere from two to six months, depending on the brand and climate inside the safe. Desiccants can be dried out in your oven to be re-used over and over again.
The electric dehumidifier is the most popular dehumidifier. The electric dehumidifier is also called the "Golden Rod" and it heats up to around 140 degrees. Its purpose is to keep the temperature high enough so that any water in the safe evaporates, thus preventing condensation. Most of these types are an 18 "rod that can be mounted to the floor or wall of your safe. These units are easily installed. The cord on these units are removable so you can string it through your safe and plug it in. Some electric dehumidifiers have a flexible body that can be bent and contoured to better fit your safe and fit in corners. It's a good choice for tight spaces.
Personally, I like to use both, by keeping a desiccant in case the power goes out.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need any advice on gun safe dehumidifiers.