Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Gun safe in an un-heated garage

I built an insulated closet to house a 2nd refrigerator in my pavilion. I heat it with a 250 watt halogen worklight. I connected a line voltage thermostat to a receptacle and keep it set to 60*. The refrigerator wouldn't run when the outside temp was under 40* so the freezer would thaw. The heat also keeps the humidity from condensing on the metal refrigerator case.

Those signs deter thieves like the beeping horns on a car in the parking lots. Thieves laugh, then go ahead with their theft...

Most Thief's are so stupid they would think the black powder explosion would help them get the safe open quicker

No doubt they'll be fine in Gilette, due to your low humidity. I'd keep a golden rod or desiccant in there just to be safe. Might keep a close eye on the moisture inside the safe during spring and fall where you see your biggest temperature swings.

They won't be laughing if they try it on mine. The Garage safe has all the Goex and ammo in it.

Not a bad idea. But I'd have to buy a few or 10 more pounds of black powder.

I think I have 1 lb.

One thing I left out on my first post is the safe that I have in my garage is on a wood platform (and bolted to the house from inside the safe). This eliminates most rust problems of the safe and its contents, not a good idea to put a safe on a bare cement floor in a garage.

That is true, but you won't be laughing either, with your safe contents and your garage spread all over the neighborhood. Signs don't deter theft...

Yes.

I am in Havre and I think most would qualify this area as dry. Temps are similar to yours but it gets a lot colder than -15.

I leave mine in the garage but it is climate controlled. I keep it at 35. However; there are plenty of people that keep them in their garage (I know the guy that has delivered most of them) and they have no issues.





Travis

Dad has a safe in an unheated garage, so do several friends her in south central pa. Dad has had issues, stopped with vci use, friends have all been fine.

Tag

It's always best to clearly describe your firearms storage and security measures on da internet. I like to leave a sign out front with my work schedule and travel plans.

I hope you don't have a house fire, you won't feel so clever if you blow up the fire fighters.

I have one in my unheated garage. It gets 95 down to single digits here and 90% humidity in the summer. I put 2 tubs of dessicant in the safe. I've had zero issues.

Good luck getting into it. I guarantee potential thieves won't be tipping it over to gain any sort of leverage. Of course they could bring a jackhammer, a sawzall, and various pry bars to have a go at it. Of course they'll have to have it done by the time the local police show up or my neighbor cop or anyone one of my armed neighbors. Good luck....

In this general area , I dont think you will have much issue with condensation. A golden rod or other humidity control should be fine. Depending on your neighbors , maybe a little cover up to hide the fact that your gun safe is in garage while door is open makes since. I do see a lot of safes in garages around though. I think in general people here aint the stealing type.

I've always understood that if the temp inside your safe is 3 or 4 degrees higher than outside, that will keep the moisture at bay, and that seems to be the entire principle behind the heater rods that I've used without problems for years. A small lamp should do the same. However, I don't have a safe in an unheated garage.

You will be fine in your location where it is fairly dry.

As mentioned, lift the safe off the floor with 2x4 or similar to reduce any condensation and keep some minimal heat or drying system (goldenrod, desiccant, low wattage bulb) inside.

You just need to keep the compressor and oil warm enough to operate. That can be accomplished with a 40 - 60 watt bulb sitting near the compressor.

One of my very good friends here on the 'fire uses this and it works great in his safe: http://www.damprid.com/moisture-odor-control-center/how-damprid-works

No rust on the firearms and water in the bottom of the cup. This is in south Texas.

I know that will remove moisture i have had it for ice removal and it did "make water" and turn into a brick. But it is salt and putting that in my safe would worry me.