Ok, I need some help. I have just moved, and have a choice of putting my safe in the un-airconditioned garage, or in the air conditioned house. For space reasons, I would very much prefer the garage. Obviously, if I do that, I will have to invest in a Goldenrod, or other safe dehumidifier.

The safe is a small 14 gun model with a cord punch out in the back.

Question 1: Will a dehumidifier be sufficient in the Florida heat to keep the guns properly.

Question 2: If a dehumidifier will work, which manufacturer do I get?

Thanks. I have always previously had the safe in an air-conditioned area, so this is a new problem for me.

All I can tell you is I've lived in Florida my entire life, and I have my two gun safes in the office at home under heat and A/C. With 90%+ humidity a large part of the year, I just don't think you can adequately control humidity in a safe in the garage. My $.02.

I've been here since 2002, and I think you are probably right; the safe is probably going in the house, but if garage is reasonably doable, it would save me some grief.

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I just don't think you can adequately control humidity in a safe in the garage. My $.02.

Make it $0.04, ArtieS.

The Dry Rods that go into safes do not dehumidify. If you're in a high humidity area, you'll want to run a free standing dehumidifier.

If you place the safe in the garage try using EVA dry dehumidifier (rechargeable desiccant packs) and or a Peet air circulating dehumidifier.
Get your self a digital humidity gauge for the interior of the safe. Be care full not to lower the humidity to much it might damage any wood on your firearms.

I have kept my safe in the garage for 20+ years in Mississippi and Alabama. Our humidity is often stifling.

I put a golden rod in the safe when I bought it, and I have never had any problems over the years stemming from humidity.

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Originally posted by jehzsa:

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I just don't think you can adequately control humidity in a safe in the garage. My $.02.

Make it $0.04, ArtieS.

It can be done it just takes a little work. You have to regularly check what ever system you put in place. This is why it is important to get a humidity gauge for the interior of the safe.

Mines been in the garage run the desiccant rechargeable units that electric recharge and one you put in the oven to recharge, no rust issues yet.

I have a goldenrod that I need to install as well.

38 years in Florida. Every tool I own is rusted to some degree from being kept in the shop or barn. Fighting moisture on firearms requires careful attention. I would not put a gun safe in a non air conditioned space in Florida. I also urge liberal use of Remoil, or Rig if long term storage.

Look at Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors they prevent rust and go in the safe. Brownells

One other piece of advice. If you run a dehumidifier they put out heat. Lots of it. I would avoid doing it at all costs. Find conditioned space, it's worth the extra effort.

Perhaps a window A/C could be put in the garage?

I live in Pompano Beach, FL. Ideally I wanted to put the safe inside the house in one of my air conditioned closets but it wouldn't fit between the doorway....so it's been in my un-air conditioned hotter than heck garage since December 2013. I have a golden rod in there and about 20 firearms and have no been meticulous about cleaning NOR oiling the outside and I have zero issues with any finish on any of them.

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Originally posted by HRK:
Mines been in the garage run the desiccant rechargeable units that electric recharge and one you put in the oven to recharge, no rust issues yet.

I have a goldenrod that I need to install as well.

My limited understanding is use one or the other but not both. Gun safes leak air so when the goldenrod heats the air inside the gun safe the hot air rises, escapes out the top of the door and draws fresh are at the bottom of the door. This consant renewing of the air overwhelms desiccant packs. I didn't know this, tried to use both, and could never get the humidity down inside my gun safe. My 60"x41" gun safe has a large Goldenrod which seems to be doing fine in tbe garage. If I had a choice, inside the house would be better.

Even if I could get piece of mind on being able to keep the humidity in check I still wouldn't put one in the garage.
Too easy for prying eyes to take note of the safe any time that the garage door is open. Unless you are never going use it as a garage.

Ideally, you should put the safe in the house, the AC is a giant de humidizer in itself.

If you leave it int he garage, you should perform periodic maintenance on the firearms.

In the service the weapons we had were kept on ships, sometimes in un-AC compartments, we had a monthly requirement to take them apart, wipe em with new oil (CLP,BreakFree, LSA) or if they were used, a "pre-fire" wipe and a "Post Fire" cleaning and wipe with oil. For long term storage it was called "Lay-up" and that involved in heating grease or cosmoline and completely dunking them and wrapping in oiled rags and sealing in foiled envelopes.

Whether garage or basement, or other concrete space, make sure you separate the safe from the concrete by some means that won't transmit heat. It's part of managing temp and moisture in the safe. Hockey pucks are popular, anything to get an air gap.

A combination of desiccant and a golden rod should be sufficient but your recharging interval will be a lot shorter.

Sounds like you need a heat pump for your garage.