"The GoldenRod Dehumidifier is a heated rod, one of the best means of preventing corrosion of items stored in cooler areas, inside enclosed containers, and ideal for use in a gun safe....
***
"The GoldenRod is quite different from most other humidity control products. All dehumidifiers reduce relative humidity but the vast majority do so by removing water from the air. A GoldenRod Dehumidifier lowers relative humidity by warming the air.
"Warming the air lowers relative humidity and, more importantly, increases the difference between the ambient temperature and the dew point. This reduces the probability that water vapor will condense inside the space, damaging the items inside.
***
"As well as lowering relative humidity the heat from the rod generates a circulation of air. If mounted, as recommended, on the floor of a storage container such as a gun safe, the warmed air rises to the top of the container. Cooler air replaces it and continuous circulation is established which also helps to prevent condensation. The warmed air expands, increasing its pressure, which prevents cooler air entering the container and preserves the 'micro-climate' inside.

Read all 'bout it: GoldenRod Dehumidifier. The Best Dehumidifier Reviews Here

 

"The GoldenRod Dehumidifier is a heated rod, one of the best means of preventing corrosion of items stored in cooler areas, inside enclosed containers, and ideal for use in a gun safe....
***
"The GoldenRod is quite different from most other humidity control products. All dehumidifiers reduce relative humidity but the vast majority do so by removing water from the air. A GoldenRod Dehumidifier lowers relative humidity by warming the air.
"Warming the air lowers relative humidity and, more importantly, increases the difference between the ambient temperature and the dew point. This reduces the probability that water vapor will condense inside the space, damaging the items inside.
***
"As well as lowering relative humidity the heat from the rod generates a circulation of air. If mounted, as recommended, on the floor of a storage container such as a gun safe, the warmed air rises to the top of the container. Cooler air replaces it and continuous circulation is established which also helps to prevent condensation. The warmed air expands, increasing its pressure, which prevents cooler air entering the container and preserves the 'micro-climate' inside.

Would this also be the case for a Florida home? I use the heated rod in the bottom of my safe in Maryland with good results.

 

Thank you, Ray. I now understand how it works.

 

I found two at Tractor Supply on the clearance rack! Bought both of them!

ca'jun56

 

I bought a used safe from one of our clients that included a wired rod, but I removed it. I hope I can find it, as I have no idea what I did with it.

 

The problem with the chemical dessicants--silica, calcium chloride, etc--is that they get saturated and then they no longer work, unless they are replaced or recharged. And you can't tell.

I've had Golden Rods in my safes for about 30 years and had no rusting inside. They only use 15-25 watts each and only heat the insides maybe 10 additional degrees.

 

... unless they are replaced or recharged. And you can't tell.
...

The desiccant I use has indicator beads to help detect saturation, baking it in an oven will recharge it.

 

My first Golden Rod lasted almost 25 years, and never once have I seen any signs of rust on any guns stored with it. Just as I bought my second safe, it gave up the ghost. I actually don't know when it died for sure, I just found it then. So now I occasionally reach down and make sure they are still warm to the touch. The second one I bought was some other brand. We'll see what the difference is in a few years I guess. At least I hope it lasts a few years.

I think I went with a large desiccant for about the first year of being a safe owner, the darn tag indicated a re-dry was required every month or two. Who's gonna remember that?

 

Plus another vote for the Golden Rod. Have mine for at least 30 years.

 

I have one in my safe that is in my basement, it works great.

 

+1 on the Golden Rods. They work great and have a lifetime warranty. I have one in each of my safes.
Tomcatt

 

I use one in each safe, slightly larger than recommended. (I'm a cheapskate when it comes to some things, but I think I bought actual 'golden rod' brand.)
I also have additional sensors for my weather station in each safe, so I can monitor conditions in the laziest way possible.
The rods increase temperature an average of about 8 degrees, and do result in lower humidity indications - but just how much depends upon what season it is and how bad my basement humidity has become. (It may be a dry climate, but this house's old foundation just soaks up water and turns it into humidity in the basement.)

 

I use the Ever-Dry dehumidifiers in my safes. Just plug them in a couple hours after a few months and they recharge and are reusable. I don't get much moisture in my safes anyway as they are in air condition rooms . They change color when they are full of moisture and you know to plug them in to recharge or dry.

 

I used to use something similar, until I put the weather station sensors in the safes.
After a recharge of the media, I noticed that the humidity level was back to normal (ambient) about a week later. The color hadn't changed, but they were no longer effective.
I recharged again, and watched even closer. Two days. Ambient humidity. No color change.
I recharged again. Two days. Ambient humidity. No color change.

I had some of the giant rechargeable desiccants given to me at some time. So, I tried those, as well. Same result. 2-3 days after a recharge, they were ineffective. The color hadn't changed, but they weren't soaking up enough humidity to make a difference.

I ordered the golden rods, and haven't looked back.