Anyone do this?  Recommendations for and against? 

 

Its not temperature controlled. 

 

I read that the moisture from the concrete can permeate the safe through the bottom.  Suppose I would need to find something to put between the safe and concrete, but what, hmmm.

 

Also, I’m not worried about theft just want to make sure that the firearms and ammo maintain their integrity.

Invest in a good plug-in dehumidifier and you should be fine.

I doubt that the biggest problem would be moisture penetrating through concrete, your steel safe & to your guns, But the air leakage from the humidity in the air.

 

If I had to do it, i'd make sure the seal was good on my door, and get a quality de-humidifier for the safe. 

As stated - a GOOD De-Humidifier that circulates the air and Silica dryer(s)

I have my safe in the garage for about 8 years and no problems. I have an attached garage and the temp stays between 60 and 80 most of the time. I put a piece of plywood under it to keep it off the ground and I buy the de-humidifier bags that they sell at BJ's about once a year and throw them in the bottom.

 

As far as theft, my safe weighs 350 lbs so if the want it they better bring a friend who has a truck. If I'm not home there's nothing I can do about it anyway.

Would the dehumidifier go in the safe or in the garage? 

 

I did see one safe which had outlets and a usb port built into it.

 

Not sure of the temp of my garage but I would imagine that it could get as low as 40 something, high as 90 something. 

You want the one that goes inside the safe.

Assuming the temperature in your garage is reasonably stable (say 50 degrees max between coldest winter and hottest summer), your firearms will be fine as long as you invest in a high-quality dehumidifier system as recommended above.  Don't be thinking you can get away with a couple canisters of Damp Rid. 

 

My technical concern is about damage to the safe from sitting on the slab.  If possible, get it up off the slab.  I'd recommend building a platform out of pressure-treated 2x4s 12" on center and 3/8" sheeting. 

 

My logistical concern is security.  Only you can assess your own security.  Just remember, when it comes to theft, if there is a will there is  way. 

Moisture travels through concrete via capillary action, or just think of the concrete as a sponge. If there's water on or below it, it'll soak it in and gas it out.

If you're worried about that, sandwich a piece of plywood between tar paper. The tar paper will prevent the plywood from wicking moisture and expelling in upwards into your safe via the mounting holes.

I've had my Patriot safe bolted to the garage floor for over 4 years now. I can't tell you if there's any damage to the bottom of the safe, but my items in the safe are just fine.

 

No heat or AC in my garage. I have a golden rod in the safe and one of the humidifiers that you plug in to dry it out every few days to a week, depending on the humidity level.

 

If you have a quality safe with good fireproofing, It should help with the humidity. If you buy a cheap metal gun cabinet with no lining, it will probably be more difficult to keep the moisture out.

As stated - a GOOD De-Humidifier that circulates the air and Silica dryer(s)

 

 

My question ---  What's a good dehumidifier that circulates air?    

 

Are we thinking the heat stick type like a goldenrod --  would 2 goldenrods be better?

Two things that would concern me..

 

1. Humidity and requiring to having the safe off the floor.

2. Theft ... Easy for them to tie a cable and rip it out if bolted ...plus access to tools to break into it if they didn't bring it with them. ( yes I'm paranoid and maybe unlikely but easier for them to take it away and work on it at their leisure..then have to take it down a flight of steps or up a flight of steps. )

Anyone do this? Recommendations for and against?

 

Its not temperature controlled.

 

I read that the moisture from the concrete can permeate the safe through the bottom. Suppose I would need to find something to put between the safe and concrete, but what, hmmm.

 

Also, I’m not worried about theft just want to make sure that the firearms and ammo maintain their integrity.

I'm curious what route you took with the safe. I might have to go the same route due to some unknown unknowns.

Anyone do this? Recommendations for and against?

 

Its not temperature controlled.

 

I read that the moisture from the concrete can permeate the safe through the bottom. Suppose I would need to find something to put between the safe and concrete, but what, hmmm.

 

Also, I’m not worried about theft just want to make sure that the firearms and ammo maintain their integrity.

I'm curious what route you took with the safe. I might have to go the same route due to some unknown unknowns.

Anyone do this?  Recommendations for and against? 

 

Its not temperature controlled. 

 

I read that the moisture from the concrete can permeate the safe through the bottom.  Suppose I would need to find something to put between the safe and concrete, but what, hmmm.

 

Also, I’m not worried about theft just want to make sure that the firearms and ammo maintain their integrity.

I think the moisture and condensation you'd experience, essentially by putting a safe outdoors, would be bad for anything inside. It took about one month for some paper currency in our safe, stored in a de-humidified basement, to get a coating of mold. 

I think the moisture and condensation you'd experience, essentially by putting a safe outdoors, would be bad for anything inside. It took about one month for some paper currency in our safe, stored in a de-humidified basement, to get a coating of mold.

What kind of safe? Is it fireproof?

 

Your dehumidifier might not be working as intended, humidity setting is set too high, or you're outgunned as far as how much volume it can handle. I use a Frigidaire dehumidifier and set the humidity to 55%. No issues with any paper stored in the safe.

What kind of safe? Is it fireproof?

 

Your dehumidifier might not be working as intended, humidity setting is set too high, or you're outgunned as far as how much volume it can handle. I use a Frigidaire dehumidifier and set the humidity to 55%. No issues with any paper stored in the safe.

It seems to be working. Was it currency in your situation? They are actually not paper, but cloth. 

Whatever is colder than the air will attract whatever moisture is in the air ( condensation ). Any heat source in the safe will raise the temp in the safe and moisture won't condensate. That said the heat source needs to overcome the cold in the garage. Two identical thermometers, one in one outside the safe will tell you where you're at. The heating rocks used in reptile tanks, low watt incandecant bulb or similar will heat a safe above air temp in most circumstances.

 

Something about a safe in the garage spooks me. Most of us keep all the tools the bad guys need in the garage. Think sawzall, comealong, prybar, sledgehammer and drill.

What kind of safe? Is it fireproof?

 

Your dehumidifier might not be working as intended, humidity setting is set too high, or you're outgunned as far as how much volume it can handle. I use a Frigidaire dehumidifier and set the humidity to 55%. No issues with any paper stored in the safe.

How do you tell if the dehumidifier is working properly? The basement is not airtight. There's a washing machine, drier, and oil burner down there, and the door from upstairs is always open. I have no personal experience in keeping a safe in a garage (i.e. practically outdoors) but it seems to be a wonderful way to condense moisture. 

 

After this incident I discovered that currency turning moldy in a safe is quite common.

I'm curious what route you took with the safe. I might have to go the same route due to some unknown unknowns.

 

Well, I finally bought the safe and should have it delivered/moved within the next week.

 

I'm still not 100% sure as to where it should go: basement vs garage.

 

I'm leaning towards the garage but either option is going to present its own challenges.

 

The basement tends to get damp in the summer, so thats an issue.

 

The safe itself has a 2 hour fire safety rating and I think the insulation will tend to keep the contents cool.  I dont see how I would be able to use a dehumidifying rod as theres no exit/entry for the cord…

 

Even as I'm writing this, I'm debating on what to do. 

 

Desiccant, coating the guns with rust inhibitors (not sure what to do about the other items), silica gel canisters, gun socks, this crap…

 

Maybe all of it?  

 

 

  I dont see how I would be able to use a dehumidifying rod as theres no exit/entry for the cord…

 

 

 

 

Are you sure?   Not that I'm an expert but I've never heard of a gun safe that didn't have a hole for the cord to a dehumidifier.

 

You could drill one thru the floor --  Doesn't need much as most gun safe dehumidifiers have a plug where you wire on the end after it's fished thru the hole thus needing a hole only large enough for the wire itself and not the plug 

For those of you with golden rods, dehumidifiers, etc, did you drill a hole in your safe for the plug?

Are you sure?   Not that I'm an expert but I've never heard of a gun safe that didn't have a hole for the cord to a dehumidifier.

 

You could drill one thru the floor --  Doesn't need much as most gun safe dehumidifiers have a plug where you wire on the end after it's fished thru the hole thus needing a hole only large enough for the wire itself and not the plug 

 

Maybe it lacks a hole because its older (want to say about 15 years)?. 

 

I feel kind of funny putting a hole in the safe, know what I mean?  If it comes down to it, maybe through the side?  It weighs almost 2,000 pounds and I think it would be difficult to get underneath it.   

thru the side, not the bottom

thru the side, not the bottom

 

 

You have a point there...

 

Mines an older safe and I have to keep it elevated -- The hole is right in the middle thru the bottom --  the floor of the safe is about 6 inches thick

I have one of those stack on rechargeable units in mine and a dehumidifier going in the basement. I have no hole in my safe. The person who sold to me did not recommend putting a hole in for a plug. It is a 3,000 lb safe TL30 2hr fire rated.

 

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I have one of those stack on rechargeable units in mine and a dehumidifier going in the basement. I have no hole in my safe. The person who sold to me did not recommend putting a hole in for a plug. It is a 3,000 lb safe TL30 2hr fire rated.

 

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Would you happen to have a link to the "stack on rechargeable unit"? 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000H0XFCS/ref=mp_s_a_1_2/182-1946890-9519609?qid=1388088299&sr=8-2π=SY200_QL40

 

Same thing $7 cheaper

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001F0IH22/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1388088214&sr=8-1π=SY200_QL40 '> http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001F0IH22/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1388088214&sr=8-1π=SY200_QL40

 

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