Large safe in garage or two modular safes on second floor

[rodell]

I've recently relocated from the Pacific NW, where I had my safe in a temperature controlled area. Running a goldenrod kept the humidity at a steady 25-30%.

In my new house in Franklin County I have to make a choice. A large safe in the garage, or one or two modular safes on the second floor. (SnapSafe/Zanotti/Steelhead Outdoors) There's no spot on the first floor for the large safe and the hardwood staircase would have to be dismantled to move a large safe to the second floor due to a 180 degree turn - even if I were comfortable with the ability of the floor to support the weight.

Humidity control is my fear of the garage, as opposed to theft. I know thieves can get in sooner or later, even with1300 pounds bolted to the floor. I have some fine shotguns and rifles that I want to (continue to) care for so preservation is my first concern. When reading the threads here, it seems some have no trouble with their safe in the garage, and others say it is a no go.

What's the CFF.wisdom on this choice?

 

[NCLivingBrit]

If you put your safe in a non-climate controlled area in this sticky hellscape, expect copious rust. I love NC but this is not the climate for storing metal.

 

[Jerzsubbie]

I have a dehumidifier in my garage, rechargeable desiccant in my safe, and a humidity/temp gauge on my work bench.

Since insulating my garage door, sealing some leaks, and doing the dehumidifier, I no longer have issues with rust on my tools, or guns in the safe for that matter.

My garage stays around 50-60% humidity, the dehumidifier acts like a crappy a/c. I haven’t checked but I’m sure the safe is even lower.

I don’t have any fine collectibles so I may be a little less concerned than OP, but this system works for me.

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

I have a dehumidifier in my garage, rechargeable desiccant in my safe, and a humidity/temp gauge on my work bench.

Since insulating my garage door, sealing some leaks, and doing the dehumidifier, I no longer have issues with rust on my tools, or guns in the safe for that matter.

My garage stays around 50-60% humidity, the dehumidifier acts like a crappy a/c. I haven’t checked but I’m sure the safe is even lower.

I don’t have any fine collectibles so I may be a little less concerned than OP, but this system works for me.

Same here for years, no rust, safe stays between 38%-45% humidity. Adding a Goldenrod would help.

 

[Flashpoint]

My safe is in the below ground, non climate controlled, cement floored, cement block walled basement. About the worst environment you could ask for.

I left the safe on the wooden pallet it came on to keep it off the floor. I run two golden rod knockoffs on the interior floor along with a large perforated can of desiccant on the top shelf. I also keep a Bluetooth temp/humidity meter in the safe to monitor the conditions. I have to recharge the desiccant 4 or more times a year to keep the humidity below 60%.

Sucks, but I have no alternative.

 

[GymB]

If you’re buying new safes anyway, then go indoors. But if you have the big one it’s probably no more expensive to dehumidify the garage (assuming you park your daily driver outside like a man) than to replace it. Yes to goldenrod (or a lightbulb/heater) and desiccant can.

 

[rodell]

If you’re buying new safes anyway, then go indoors. But if you have the big one it’s probably no more expensive to dehumidify the garage (assuming you park your daily driver outside like a man) than to replace it. Yes to goldenrod (or a lightbulb/heater) and desiccant can.

I left the big safe behind (actually donated it to a young man with young children and no safe). It was a beautiful Browning from years ago - a real piece of art. It was more expensive to move it than buy another one - or two.

I wonder if I run a continuous dehumidifier in the garage if it would be enough. When I lived in FL, it was marginal and this is a larger garage. Maybe if I insulate the doors.

 

[GymB]

Depends on a lot of factors.
I put one of these in my 3-car garage to protect the woodworking tools. Has no problem keeping humidity at 40%.
ALORAIR Crawl Space Dehumidifiers 120 PPD Moisture Removal, Energy Star Certified Crawlspace Dehumidifiers Commercial Dehumidifier for Basement, Auto Defrost, cETL Listed, 5 Years Warranty https://a.co/d/hyXJ8GN

The drain is run out the corner of the garage.
Also have an electric heater that kicks on at 55 or 60 and a cheap box fan that keeps air circulating.

 

[JimP42]

Depends on a lot of factors.
I put one of these in my 3-car garage to protect the woodworking tools. Has no problem keeping humidity at 40%.
ALORAIR Crawl Space Dehumidifiers 120 PPD Moisture Removal, Energy Star Certified Crawlspace Dehumidifiers Commercial Dehumidifier for Basement, Auto Defrost, cETL Listed, 5 Years Warranty https://a.co/d/hyXJ8GN

The drain is run out the corner of the garage.
Also have an electric heater that kicks on at 55 or 60 and a cheap box fan that keeps air circulating.

How well do your garage doors seal?
How much of the time does the dehumidifier run in the summer?
Thanks

 

[GymB]

How well do your garage doors seal?
How much of the time does the dehumidifier run in the summer?
Thanks

The doors are about 15 years old, and they seal pretty good.
It ran continuously for a few days, but then settled down to about 25% of the time. Needed to do some stuff with the doors open late yesterday and the garage went up to almost 60, but was back to 41 in the morning.

 

[Jeppo]

Dehumidifiers for Home, 25oz Dehumidifier Small Dehumidifiers for Room 285sq.ft with Auto-off, Ultra-Quiet Energy Saving Mini Dehumidifiers for Bedroom Bathroom Closet Desktop Office RV https://a.co/d/iM6KNYb