Honeywell Safes & Door Locks LHLP1103G 30 Minute Fire Safe Waterproof Safe Box Chest with Carry Handle, Medium, 1103, Black, 7.3 litre

Why I picked the Honeywell 1103

I wanted a small, grab-and-go chest that could keep originals safe from the two most common household disasters: fire and water. A full-size safe wasn’t practical for my space, and I didn’t need burglary resistance as much as I needed document preservation. The Honeywell 1103 landed in that sweet spot: a compact fire- and waterproof chest with a carry handle that promises 30 minutes of fire protection and a multi-day waterproof seal. After living with it and organizing my documents and backup drives inside, here’s how it actually performs.

Design, build, and first impressions

The 1103 looks unassuming—matte black, rounded edges, simple key lock, dual front latches, and a molded carry handle. The surprise arrives when you lift it. For its size, it’s heavy; the mass comes from the fireproof insulation inside. That heft is reassuring because it’s what buys you time in a fire, but it also means “portable” has limits. You can carry it with one hand, but you won’t want to lug it far.

The outer shell and latches are polymer, while the body feels dense and rigid. The handle is solid and doesn’t flex under weight. The latching action requires a firm, even press to seat the lid fully against the gasket; once you learn the feel, it becomes consistent, but it’s not a feather-light close. The key lock is basic—enough to keep the lid secured to maintain the water seal and deter casual snooping. This is not a burglary safe, and that’s by design.

One small note on the lock: the key is captive, meaning you remove it only when the chest is locked. That sounds annoying, but it’s actually useful; it prevents you from absentmindedly closing it with the key still inside and ensures the gasket is properly compressed when you walk away.

Capacity and fit: what actually fits flat

The interior measures roughly 3.7 inches high by 13.1 inches wide by 8.5 inches deep, for a 0.24 cu ft (7.3 L) capacity. Practically, that’s a stack of letter or A4 documents, passports, a few small devices (like portable SSDs or USB drives), and some small valuables.

A key detail: standard letter paper is 8.5 inches wide. The interior depth is also 8.5 inches. In my unit, unsecured letter sheets fit, but it’s a close tolerance. Thin document folders, sheet protectors, and wider wallets can bow slightly or require a gentle flex to fit. A4 (8.27 inches) fits more comfortably. If you routinely store documents in oversized sleeves or rigid folders, you’ll want to size them down or accept a slight curve.

The interior floor is smooth and doesn’t scuff paper. There’s no tray or divider, so if you like organization, add slim paper bands or envelopes to keep categories tidy.

Fire and water protection

The 1103 is rated for 30 minutes of protection at temperatures up to 1550°F (843°C). I didn’t torch it, but I did what I always do with fire safes: checked the mass, insulation thickness at the lid seam, and the consistency of the gasket. The lid-to-body interface is tight and even, and once closed, you can feel a bit of suction when opening it again. That seal is also responsible for its waterproof claim—tested to keep contents dry for 100 hours when submerged up to 39 inches. I didn’t submerge the chest for days, but I did run a controlled splash test and sprayed the seam and hinge thoroughly; no moisture made it inside.

This combination—moderate fire duration and a robust water seal—is exactly what you want for a document chest. In a real incident, fire suppression often introduces gallons of water; a water-resistant seal is as important as the fire rating.

Day-to-day use

The chest lives on a low shelf near an exit, which is where I’d recommend placing it. It’s too heavy to stash way up high, and because it’s not bolted down, a good location is a hidden, accessible spot you can reach quickly. The handle gives it “evacuation-ready” vibes; you can grab it during a hurried exit. Sliding it on a shelf is easier than lifting it often, so I use small felt pads underneath to make it easier to pull forward.

The latches and gasket make the closure feel substantial. The lid needs to be fully aligned before you snap the latches—press down toward the front edge and then lock. If you only half-close it, the gasket won’t compress properly. Get into the habit of looking for an even seam all around.

Moisture management and document care

Fire safes inherently trap humidity. The insulation and airtight gasket can lead to a musty interior if left sealed for months. This isn’t a defect—it’s physics. To manage that:

• Air it out periodically. I crack it open for 20–30 minutes on a schedule (monthly works for me).
• Add desiccant. A couple of rechargeable silica gel packs make a noticeable difference.
• Use protective sleeves for irreplaceable originals. Archival-quality sleeves inside an airtight zip bag are extra insurance.
• Avoid storing photos and magnetic media directly against the interior surfaces. Put them in sleeves or cases.

Follow these steps and you’ll sidestep the “closed box mustiness” that plagues every gasketed fire safe I’ve owned.

What it’s great at—and what it’s not

Strengths:
- Credible, tested protection for the most common home disaster scenarios: short-duration fire and prolonged water exposure.
- Compact footprint with enough capacity for the essentials: wills, deeds, passports, insurance copies, and small drives.
- Simple, reliable mechanics. No batteries, no electronics, nothing to forget to maintain besides basic airing.
- Heavy enough to discourage a casual grab, yet portable enough to move in an emergency.

Limitations:
- Tight interior depth for letter-width documents. Bare paper fits; bulky sleeves can bow. If you need generous clearance, consider a larger model.
- The lock is basic. Think privacy and seal integrity rather than theft deterrence.
- Weight. It’s compact but dense; carrying it any distance isn’t fun.
- No interior organization. You’ll need your own folders or bands.

Who it’s for

The Honeywell 1103 is ideal if you:
- Want a dedicated place for high-importance documents and small backups, with real fire and water protection.
- Prefer a mechanical, maintenance-free solution.
- Need something you can grab quickly during an evacuation.

It’s less ideal if you:
- Need robust anti-theft features (look for heavier, bolt-down safes with higher security ratings).
- Store bulky binders or oversized document sleeves.
- Want a set-and-forget box with zero moisture management. You still need to air it out periodically and use desiccants.

Practical tips for setup

• Pre-measure your document sleeves. If they’re wider than 8.5 inches, switch to true letter-width versions.
• Use two desiccant packs and recharge them quarterly.
• Keep one key on the handle (discreetly secured) and another offsite in a trusted location.
• Place the chest low, near an exit, and out of direct sunlight or HVAC vents.
• Make a simple index card with what’s inside; it saves rummaging when you’re stressed.

Final recommendation

I recommend the Honeywell 1103 as a dependable, compact fire- and waterproof document chest for home use. It excels at its core job—protecting paper and small digital backups from heat and water—without the fuss of electronics or the footprint of a larger safe. The trade-offs are clear: it’s heavy for its size, the lock is not high security, and the interior depth is a tight fit for letter width when you use bulky sleeves. If you accept those realities and adopt basic moisture management, it’s a practical, thoughtfully designed solution for safeguarding essentials you can’t easily replace.