If there is a gun safe in your house, you should buy an air dehumidifier for it. This device will save your firearms from rust, mold, and mildew. Even if you don’t open the safe for several months, you can be sure that the guns remain in good condition. In this article, you’ll find brief characteristics of five popular gun-safe dehumidifiers, each with a list of its impartial pros and cons. After reading this text, you’ll be able to make an informed decision and spend your money on the device that should justify your expectations.
Below, please find a table with a brief comparison of all the products mentioned in the article. Thanks to them, the air inside your safe will always be dry and your guns will be stored in excellent condition.
LOCKDOWN GoldenRod Dehumidifier Rod | Hornady Gun Safe Dehumidifier Rod | PEET SafeKeeping Dryer and Dehumidifier for Gun Safes and Cabinets | Eva-Dry E333 Wireless Dehumidifier | Eva-Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier | |
Dehumidifier Type | Electric | Electric | Electric | Desiccant | Desiccant |
Product Dimensions | 36 inches, 24 inches, 18 inches, 12 inches | 17.3 x 4.5 x 1.3 inches | 9 x 7 x 4 inches | 9 x 8.2 x 2.8 inches | 6.25 × 1.25 × 4.75 inches |
Warranty | Lifetime | No | 5 years | No | No |
Table of Contents
Lockdown GoldenRod Dehumidifier Rod — the Best Gun Safe Dehumidifier Among Responsible Gun Owners
This efficient and reliable device is produced in the U.S. and has a lifetime warranty. It is available in 4 sizes and it receives more positive reviews than its black counterparts.
Overall Description
Among all the devices mentioned in the article, this one has the most stylish design: its color is gold. However, you won’t be seeing it too often since it will effortlessly fit into the smaller, less usable areas of the safe and occupy minimum space there.
An 18-inch GoldenRod protects up to 200 cubic feet, eliminating humidity, mildew, and condensation. All year-round, it will be removing moisture from the air to prevent rust from building up. For a safe of up to 100 cubic feet, a 12-inch device should be enough. For up to 300 cubic feet, you should buy a 24-inch one and for up to 500 cubic feet — a 36-inch one.
The device has a 6-foot cord and requires a 110 to 120 volt AC plug. The length of the cord is customizable and the manufacturer provides very comprehensive instructions on how to adjust it. Attachable legs enable you to place the rod in the necessary position: just screw two small brackets into the insulation in the safe and it will snap-in. Please be careful not to touch the device after you plug it in because its surface temperature will be heated to approximately 130 degrees.
Apart from a gun safe, you can use the device in a boat or storage room to keep things dry.
Compared to their black counterparts by different manufacturers, GoldenRod units are higher wattage heaters. For instance, the 18-inch GoldenRod features 18 W, while a black device of the same length and brand has just 12 W. If you purchase an 18-inch dehumidifier by some other manufacturer, you can expect something around 10 W.
Performance
Some consumers on Amazon state that Lockdown GoldenRod Dehumidifier outlasts the more affordable black alternatives. Do you have any idea why? Probably, it’s because gold is more reflective and matte black objects have a slightly higher heat-radiating efficiency. When you take a dead device apart, you’ll see that its heating element has burned open. Even though this creates an open circuit, there are no fire hazard risks.
As for the shortcomings, some customers say that the device failed to keep the air inside the safe dry when they tried to use it alone. This is what they did to solve the problem.
- Placed the GoldenRod on the bottom of the safe
- Put an Eva-Dry 50 in the middle of the safe
- Added a USB desk fan to the mix and made it blow air past the Eva-Dry
That turned out to be enough to reach 49% humidity and 58 degrees in a safe for 40 guns, stored in a cold garage.
Do you want to get to know more about Eva-Dry? Keep reading this article and we’ll tell you about two popular products of this brand!
Final Verdict
The Lockdown GoldenRod seems to be a worthy electric dehumidifier. It occupies minimum space inside the safe and efficiently prevents rust and mildew.
Pros:
- Stylish looks
- Compact size
- Customizable cord length
- Lifetime warranty
- Reliability
Cons:
- Increases the air temperature inside the safe
- High wattage
Hornady Gun Safe Dehumidifier Rod — Simple and Budget-Friendly
This one is made in China and is a slightly more affordable alternative to the GoldenRod. The manufacturer emphasizes that the device is maintenance-free and requires no recharge.
Overall Description
The Hornady Gun Safe Dehumidifier measures 17.3 x 4.5 x 1.3 inches and weighs 0.29 pounds. It provides 7 watts coverage to 100 cubic feet. The device is equipped with snap-on mounting brackets that enable you to mount it either horizontally or vertically. If you need to install the cord through small holes or openings, you can easily remove its 110V plug.
Just as the GoldenRod, the Hornady Gun Safe Dehumidifier heats up to approximately 120 degrees after you plug it in, so please don’t touch it. The exact temperature might fluctuate over time since this is a self-regulating device.
Performance
Let’s start with the shortcomings. First, you might fail to find mounting screws in the package!
Second, many customers complain about flimsy mounting feet. According to buyers’ reviews, the feet are made of cheap plastic, are wrong sized for the rod, and slide all over. Unfortunately, there is no velcro or hardware in the package that you could use to attach the rod.
To save the day, you might want to drill small holes in the liner of your safe to securely attach the device.
If you check Amazon reviews, you’ll come across the story of a person who bought two dehumidifiers to compare: a Lockdown one and a Hornady one. They put each device in a safe for approximately 36 hours. The Hornady unit raised the inside temperature of the safe 1-2 degree lower than the Lockdown counterpart. The humidity inside the house was at 60%, inside the safe with Hornady it dropped to 59%, and inside the safe with Lockdown — to 57%. In two days, this person used a digital infrared thermometer to measure humidity and temperature once again. The house was at 67 degrees with a relative humidity of 57%. The safe with Hornady was at 120 degrees and a humidity of 56%. The safe with Lockdown was at 134 degrees and had a humidity of 55%. That customer recommended others to opt for Lockdown and not Hornady.
So is the Hornady Gun Safe Dehumidifier worth buying at all? Yes, why not. Many users report about 100% positive experiences. You might live in a different environment than the person who conducted the experiment and you might get entirely different results.
Final Verdict
Hornady Gun Safe Dehumidifier has been receiving mixed reviews. You might want to try to because it costs less than the Lockdown device and seems to deliver the promised result.
Pros
- Can be mounted horizontally or vertically
- Helps to prevent rust and mildew
Cons
- Made in China
- No warranty
- Available only in one size
- Heats just up to 100 cubic feet
- Flimsy mounting feet
- There might be no screws in the package
PEET SafeKeeping Dryer and Dehumidifier for Gun Safes and Cabinets — a Worthy Alternative to Rods
This dehumidifier is manufactured in the U.S. and features a 5-year warranty. It is energy-efficient and it doesn’t heat the air inside the safe too much.
Overall Description
This device can be plugged into any 110-120 volt U.S. household current. The manufacturer claims that it uses less electricity than a standard light bulb. Most night lights operate on around 4 watts, while this dehumidifier consumes 13 watts.
The device weighs 14.4 ounces and measures 9 x 7 x 4 inches. Unfortunately, it might occupy too much space in your safe. But it does its job well and removes humidity from safes and cabinets of up to 300 cubic feet, without producing disturbing noises. After you buy this product, you should register it within 10 days.
Performance
Unlike the Lockdown GoldenRod and Hornady Gun Safe Dehumidifier, the PEET device won’t make your gun safe hot. Buyers report that it effortlessly maintains a 60-65% humidity level in a garage. In summer, you might need to accompany it with Eva-Dry — but in winter, the PEET dehumidifier can efficiently work solo.
Some people say that they store not only guns but also gold and silver inside the safes where they place PEET dehumidifiers. The device helps them to keep precious metals in excellent condition.
Final Verdict
PEET SafeKeeping Dryer and Dehumidifier for Gun Safes and Cabinets is a promising alternative to the two rods that were described above. Even though it occupies more space, it boasts good performance and you won’t need to mount it.
Pros
- Doesn’t make the gun safe hot
- Consumes very little electricity
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Takes a lot of space
Eva-Dry E333 Wireless Dehumidifier — a Hassle-Free and Versatile Solution
No cord, no batteries, no assembly. You just hang it inside the safe and it absorbs moisture from the air.
Overall Description
This dehumidifier is optimal for a 333 cubic feet area. It measures 9 x 8.2 x 2.8 inches and weighs 1.6 pounds. It can absorb approximately 6 ounces of moisture. Depending on the humidity level inside your safe, this should take around 1.5-2 months. Then, you’ll need to recharge the device.
Inside the dehumidifier, there are so-called “moisture meter crystals”. You can monitor their color through an indicator window. The crystals are orange when dry and green when wet. Otherwise, they might change their color from pinkish to bluish. They are made of an engineered crystallized silica gel that is non-toxic, odorless, and entirely safe for human health and the environment. Once the moisture has been absorbed, it cannot spill or leak.
To recharge the unit once its crystals have turned green, plug it into a power outlet or power strip in a well-ventilated area. You can do it in your garden, garage or bathroom with an extraction fan — but not in your bedroom or living room. A built-in heater will warm the crystals. They will expand, releasing the moisture as water vapor into the outside air.
The full recharge might take up to 14 hours. Wait until the color of indicator crystals changes back to orange and put the unit back in the safe.
Some clients use Eva-Dry E333 Wireless Dehumidifier to keep their 3D printer filament dry. Others put it in their sports cars during the winter to reduce condensation in the interiors.
Performance
Most reviews about this dehumidifier are short and simple. Customers are happy with the device and find no faults with it.
On the flip side, some consumers complain that the product doesn’t hold up for more than a few months. Allegedly, it might fail to recharge. Some people report that the plugin on the back of their units showed charring, which could be a fire hazard.
Others say that it is too fragile and might break hanging on the hook provided. If this happens, you’ll need to clean up because tiny pieces from the insides will be all over the safe.
Final Verdict
You don’t need to plug the Eva-Dry E333 Wireless Dehumidifier in and it is genuinely easy to use. But you should open the safe from time to time to check whether the device is operating as intended.
Pros
- No cord
- No batteries
- No assembly
- Renewable
Cons
- Might break accidentally
- Might fail to recharge, causing a fire hazard
Eva-Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier — a Good Start for Beginners
A smaller version of the Eva-Dry E333 Wireless that will fit even inside your gym bag. Sleek design, affordable price, no cord, and no batteries.
Overall Description
Eva-Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier measures 6.25 × 1.25 × 4.75 inches and weighs 24 ounces. It doesn’t need a battery or charger. Just as the Eva-Dry product that was described above, it contains non-toxic odorless crystals that absorb moisture from the air. However, since it is a mini-device, it doesn’t last that long. You’ll need to recharge it approximately every month, once you notice that the crystals have changed their color from orange to green. The dehumidifier can cope with up to 4 to 6 ounces of moisture in between two recharges. You can be sure that there will be no spills or leaks. The lifespan of this product is around 10 years.
There are no additional bags of crystals in the package. You should not try to extract the wet crystals and throw them away. Plugging the device in and recharging it is the only way to make the crystals dry again.
Performance
If you check the Amazon ratings of all the dehumidifiers mentioned in this article, you’ll see that over 70% of consumers gave them 5 stars. But Eva-Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier is the only exception. 39% of buyers rated it with 5 stars and 31% with 4 stars.
Some users report that the device lasted them just one month. They put it inside the safe and recharged it in two weeks. When they opened the safe in two weeks again, the beads were all over its floor and the hook was still in tack, melted.
Another customer ordered two dehumidifiers of this sort. They stayed dry for roughly 60 days. Then, it took the first device just a couple of hours to recharge — while the second one remained blue for over 4 hours. The customer left the second unit to charge and when they came back, the device was black! It was warm and they could feel a melted plastic smell. 60 days later, they tried to recharge both units once again — and discovered that they both turned black. The customer realized that they would hardly use any of these devices ever again. They opened them and found out that the drying element had got too hot and had melted. It had burnt the plastic cup that held the indicator beads. That could have been a fire hazard.
Final Verdict
Eva-Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier has the same drawbacks as the E333 Wireless model. When charging in, you need to make sure that it hasn’t burnt. When you open the safe, you should be ready to see scattered crystals all over the floor. Fortunately, these failures don’t take place too often — and the device indeed makes the air inside the safe drier.
Pros
- Compact
- Easy to use
- No cord, no battery
Cons
- Might fail to recharge
- The crystals might spill all over the safe
Buyer’s Guide
Do you want to know what the devices described in this article do with the humidity that they take out of the air? The answer might vary depending on which one you choose.
If you opt for the GoldenRod or the Hornady Electric Dehumidifier, they heat the air inside the safe to minimize condensation and reduce humidity. To make the most of them, you should place them on the floor of the safe or as close to the floor as possible. Heated air will rise, setting up a continuous convection flow from the dehumidifier. When the heated air reaches the top of the safe, it will cool and fall back to the floor to be reheated.
If you want to use an electric dehumidifier, you should buy a safe with small holes where you can pull the cord. Otherwise, you can drill the holes in the walls of your safe.
PEET SafeKeeping Dryer and Dehumidifier operate similarly to a chimney. It intakes air through its bottom inlet, heats it, and exhausts it. One can feel the warm air exiting out of its stack.
Eva-Dry devices contain crystals that absorb moisture from the air. The location of the unit can’t tell on the performance of the hygroscopic materials that it contains.
Among the new technologies that are just entering the market, the membrane one seems to be the most promising. Organic polyimides consume less energy than more conventional materials. They reject humidity from enclosed spaces and eliminate dust mites from the air. They provide ventilation and reduce the air’s ability to carry water. In the next few years, dehumidifiers with polyimides might become a hot trend among gun owners.
Should I Try to Keep the Air Inside the Gun Safe as Dry as Possible?
No, you shouldn’t. The average optimal temperature for storing firearms and bullets is around 70 degrees and the ideal humidity is roughly 50%. However, the requirements might vary depending on the manufacturer, so you should ask about it when buying the gun. A low level of moisture is particularly harmful to guns with wooden parts because cracks might appear on them.
Where Should I Place My Gun Safe to Reduce Humidity Risks?
Avoid putting the gun safe in your bathroom, kitchen or basement with drainage issues. A basement without drainage issues would be, on the contrary, a perfect location for the safe. Otherwise, you might want to place it beside a closet in a dry room.
What Happens If I Don’t Use a Gun Dehumidifier?
Rust might build up on your firearms, affecting both their appearance and their function. It can slowly eat metal over months or years before you notice it. High humidity might reduce or even stop the performance of bullets. Buying a humidifier is the easiest and the most affordable way of preventing these unpleasant consequences.
Final Thoughts
If you need a reliable and affordable dehumidifier for your gun safe, feel free to buy any device from this review. It’s impossible to predict which one will perform better in your safe because the results will depend on the temperature, humidity, and other parameters of the surrounding environment.
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