As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Keeping your guns safe free of moisture and humidity can be an important factor in preventing your belongings from developing rust, corrosion, mildew or mold. If left untreated, these problems can worsen, causing some serious damage to your firearms and gun safe.
Here you can learn more about this potential problem and the various dehumidifiers that are available. By the end of this buying guide, you should be able to determine which gun safe dehumidifiers will work for your gun safe and firearms.
Contents
My Top Picks for Gun Safe Dehumidifiers
Out of the 5 gun safe dehumidifiers discussed in this buying guide, here are the top 3 choices, with the best gun safe dehumidifier overall being the most favored.
- The Eva-Dry E-333 Renewable Mini Silica Gel Gun Safe Mini Dehumidifier was selected because it’s easy to use, safe, renewable and can be more powerful than some of the other silica gel dehumidifiers on the market.
In the end, the EvaDry E-333 Renewable Safe Dehumidifier was my top selection. The small but powerful E-333 Renewable Safe Dehumidifier runs without power or batteries inside the safe, making it one of the best gun safe dehumidifiers on the market, especially for small spaces.
Gun Safe Dehumidifier Reviews
The best gun safe dehumidifiers can help you see which ones had standout qualities to them.
Only one safe electrical dehumidifier was reviewed for two reasons: 1) Out of the different options available, the GoldenRod option was the top choice. 2) The few similar electrical dehumidifiers didn’t provide anything unique that would warrant discussing.
EvaDry E-333 Renewable Mini
For something so tiny, it sure comes with a lot of nice features. That is why the EvaDry E-333 Renewable Safe Dehumidifier is one of my Safe Dehumidifier. It’s easy to use, safe, renewable, and powerful, among having many other positive features.
This compact product works in areas up to 333 cubic foot area, lasts three to four weeks before needing to be recharged, and the product lasts for up to a decade until it needs to be replaced. It does all this without using batteries or electricity while in use.
Here are some of the main features that help make this the top overall option:
- Non-toxic; safe to be around children and pets
- 100% renewable
- Easy to use
- Never leaks or spills liquid, even when full
- Five-year warranty
While I believe this to be the top safe dehumidifier, there are some downsides to note about it:
- Because there are no lights inside the safe, it can be hard to see the color of the beads through the indicator window in some gun safes.
- The five-year warranty doesn’t stand up to their claim of the gun safes lasting ten years.
How It Compares
The E-333 Renewable Gun Safe Dehumidifier beat out the SnapSafe Safe Dehumidifier when it comes to how big of an area (333 cubic feet) they can handle to protect your guns in your gun safes.
How It Works
Using a renewable silica gel technology, this product doesn’t require batteries or electricity while in use. It uses a renewable solution that can silently absorb all the moisture and humidity from the air inside the safe. The crystals start off orange, and as they take in relative humidity, they change to green. This process happens over the span of approximately two to four weeks.
When the crystals are completely green, plug the unit in for eight to 10 hours. This should be done in a well-ventilated area. Once the crystals have changed back to orange, they are ready to be used again. You can repeat this process for up to 10 years.
Why Buy?
A non-toxic safe dehumidifier that’s a combination of powerful and renewable, this Eva option gets my vote as the best gun safe dehumidifier.
GoldenRod Original
The GoldenRod Original Dehumidifier is one of the more powerful electric safe dehumidifiers available on the market. Depending on the size you decide to purchase for your gun safe, the wattage will range between 12 and 38. This provides the energy needed to help lower humidity and slightly raise the air temperature.
For those who have their gun safe in an area that does not have climate control, such as a garage or basement, the GoldenRod Original Dehumidifier had no problem keeping up with the task. Garages have much larger fluctuations in humidity levels and temperature, which is why it’s important to plan this ahead of purchase.
This product is special because of the electrical rods that make this one of the more robust best gun safe dehumidifiers around. The four available different sizes are convenient when deciding on what suits your needs best. Finally, the rods never get too hot and are always safe to touch, helping to prevent accidents.
This dehumidifier comes in 4 available different sizes:
- 12-inch lockdown dehumidifier rod, protecting up to 100 cubic feet, and using 12 watts
- 18-inch lockdown dehumidifier rod, protecting up to 200 cubic feet, and using 18 watts
- 24-inch dehumidifier rod, protecting up to 300 cubic feet, and using 25 watts
- 36-inch dehumidifier rod, protecting up to 500 cubic feet, and using 38 watts
When selecting a size, consider purchasing the biggest one that will fit in your gun safe. This will make sure your belongings stay as arid as possible. Although you can have air that is too dry, electrical units are capable of keeping air at a constant temperature. As long as your unit is set up properly, you won’t have to worry about the air being dryer than needed.
Some of the pros that are seen with this dehumidifier are:
- Rods will not heat past 150 degrees Fahrenheit, making them always safe to touch
- Nothing to empty or refill
- Lifetime warranty, so it’s going to last you a long time
- Made in the United States of America
However, as with any choice, there are some negatives. Some of the potential downfalls for the consumers are:
- You will have to drill holes in your gun safe if you don’t already have them
- The supplied mounting brackets are a little unsturdy
How It Compares
This desiccant dehumidifier is designed to help take care of some of the worst kinds of problems and will help give your gun safe the perfect environment for storing valuable firearms.
The GoldenRod Dehumidifier Rods are capable of providing more power than a lot of the other best gun safe dehumidifiers that are electric. Because it is an electric rod dehumidifier, there is always constant power. This helps maintain more consistent humidity levels and temperature.
Models running that need batteries or renewable desiccates may stop working or decrease in efficiency without you realizing it. However, desiccant humidifiers can still be just as powerful and energy efficient as electric humidifiers. Keep reading to see for yourself.
How It Works
The desiccant dehumidifier uses a sealed, electric element to safely heat its surface to a temperature just under 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The warm air inside the desiccant dehumidifier stays a little bit warmer than the outside temperature. The warm air helps to absorb moisture and humidity in a humid environment.
If you choose to go with the Goldenrod gun safe dehumidifier, here are some additional helpful tips:
- If your electric dehumidifier is struggling to remove all the moisture and humidity from the air, some gun owners have placed a mini desk fan inside their gun safe. This helps circulate the air and lower the humidity.
- This electric rod dehumidifier comes with an adjustable cord length, making it less obtrusive.
- People have reported that they experienced wonderful customer service with their electric dehumidifiers, so don’t be afraid to contact them if there is a problem.
Why Buy?
Self-maintaining, energy efficient, safe, and easy to use, these desiccant dehumidifiers come with four different options to suit your needs best.
GoldenRod Original
SnapSafe Silica Gel
SnapSafe loves to innovate almost as much as they love to make incredibly solid products, and the Snap Safe by Hornady Dehumidifier Cylinder has been named the top Desiccant Silica Gel product for gun safes due to its simple design and great durability. This Silica Gel Safecan dry areas up to 57 cubic foot area to help stop rust and corrosion, which is usually big enough to accommodate many gun safes.
The SnapSafe SGD57 Silica Dehumidifier has the ability to be reactivated without the hassle of having to take the beads out of the unit and then putting them back in. The entire unit can pop right into a household oven for a few hours and is ready for use again.
A lot of people find this feature to be one of SnapSafe SGD57 Silica Dehumidifier’s best selling points. Many complain about having to remove beads in certain SnapSafe SGD57 Silica Gel Dehumidifiers for gun safes. If you are not careful, they can easily get everywhere. When it comes to the pros of this SnapSafe Silica Dehumidifier, a few things that stand out are
- Easy and fast to reactivate
- A no mess design
- A lifetime warranty
While this is a highly regarded Desiccant Silica Gel dehumidifier, there are some drawbacks to it:
- Doesn’t dry that big of an area
- May take getting used to the baking process
How It Compares
The beads in the SnapSafe Silica Dehumidifier generally need recharging within about four weeks. This falls in line with the beads in the Renewable Dehumidifier.
However, the SnapSafe Silica Dehumidifier only takes about one-third of the time other models do to recharge. Also, the SnapSafe Silica Dehumidifier says their product can last a lifetime and is backed up with a lifetime warranty, while other brand say their unit will only last for up to a decade.
When compared to the GoldenRod Original Dehumidifier, they both perform as described. If you don’t already have holes drilled into your safe for the electrical wires, the SnapSafe Silica Dehumidifier is one of the next best dehumidifier with silica.
How It Works
The beads are comprised of silica, which absorbs the moisture and humidity in the ambient air. As the silica beads get saturated, they change color from blue to pink. Once they are all pink, place in the oven for several hours to reactivate. The silica beads will turn blue again when they are ready to be used.
Tip: You can also place the unit in a toaster oven to save on electricity when recharging. Convection toaster ovens can circulate the air can work for you through the natural convection process.
Why Buy?
User-friendly design backed with lifetime warranty for long-term use.
SnapSafe Silica Gel
Features to Consider for Gun Safe Dehumidifier
There are a variety of factors to take into account when narrowing down your options. Some of the following factors will play a major role in making your decision. These are some suggestions as to what you should be paying attention to:
Holes for Electrical Wiring
This is the first thing to think about when purchasing a dehumidifier for your gun safe. If you don’t already have a hole for the wires, are you willing to have one drilled? This will obviously raise the total of your funds by quite a bit. Even if you do have a hole, is there an outlet nearby?
Ease of Install and Operation
If you decide to go with an electric dehumidifier, get quotes on drilling holes on your safe before you commit to anything. If you already have holes inside your gun safe, still check to make sure there won’t be any issues with the wiring.
When it comes to the best safe dehumidifiers, an electric dehumidifier for your safe may come with a few options for you to learn. A desiccant dehumidifier is easy to install and basically takes care of itself, except for recharging. It’s not an issue that anyone should have to worry about with a desiccant dehumidifier.
Gun Safe Size
If you are going with electric models, you will be able to select from the different size rods. This will allow you to pick the rod that matches the amount of space you have for maximum results.
If choosing from a desiccant humidifier, be sure to check out the amount of area each humidifier can cover. This can vary a lot among different brands and models. If you find a dehumidifier that you like but it isn’t strong enough, keep in mind that you can always place more than one dehumidifier into your top gun safe.
Dehumidifier Size
It is a good idea to find out the dimensions for each product. Measure your best gun safe to make sure the dehumidifier will fit. Although all of the best gun safe dehumidifiers are described as being either mini or compact, that makes no guarantees.
Charge Time and Duration
Most of the desiccant dehumidifiers contain beads or crystals that need to be heated up in order to recharge them. For electric dehumidifiers, this can take anywhere from four to 12 hours to complete. If it’s a product that you can place in the oven, sometimes it takes as little as two hours to recharge.
This is the amount of time it approximately takes for the beads to silently absorb moisture. The beads will change color, indicating you need to recharge the beads. These results will vary depending on the normal humidity levels you have in the air.
Traditionally, the charges will last between three and eight weeks. If you are someone who rarely goes in their gun safe, it might be better for you to lean towards an option with a longer charge span. You don’t want to forget about recharging your dehumidifier.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now have a better idea of what the best gun safe dehumidifier is for you. No matter which safe dehumidifier you decide to go with, you will more than likely be very pleased with your decision. All the safe options mentioned here have some wonderful features.
If you are still not sure which one to pick, go with the EvaDry Renewable Silica Gel Dehumidifier. Unless you have an enormous gun safe to worry about, this choice should be the right dehumidifier for almost anyone. For those that are still experiencing problems with safe humidity, don’t be afraid to mix and match options. Some people didn’t see much success until trying more than one method at a time.
