How To Properly Store Your Pressure Gauge

This article was originally published on April 11, 2022 and updated on October 20, 2025.

Pressure gauges are instruments designed to deliver reliable and accurate readings in demanding applications. Yet, even the most durable gauges can lose accuracy or fail prematurely if they aren’t stored correctly. Many issues that appear as calibration drift or pointer error actually begin long before the gauge is installed—during storage and handling.

As a trusted authority in pressure and temperature instrumentation for more than 170 years, Ashcroft has seen how improper storage can shorten the life of an otherwise high-quality gauge. In this article, you’ll learn how to properly store a pressure gauge, how environmental conditions affect performance, and what steps ensure your instruments remain ready for use.

Why is proper storage of your pressure gauge so important?

Pressure gauges depend on sensitive internal parts—like the Bourdon tube, movement, and pointer—to function accurately. When exposed to vibration, dust, moisture, or temperature extremes during storage, these components can degrade or shift out of calibration.

Proper storage helps you:

• Maintain gauge accuracy and calibration integrity
• Prevent corrosion or contamination
• Protect delicate mechanisms from mechanical damage
• Extend the gauge’s service life and reduce premature replacement

Even if a gauge has never been used, improper storage can compromise its reliability once installed, leading to inaccurate readings or process safety risks.

What environmental conditions can affect a stored pressure gauge?

There are many environmental factors to consider when storing your pressure gauges. Three common conditions that require extra precaution during storage, include: 

1. Temperature and humidity

Gauges should be stored in a dry, temperature-controlled environment. Humidity causes corrosion and condensation inside the case, while extreme temperatures can affect internal elasticity and fill fluid stability.

Keep the storage area between 40°F and 85°F (4°C–29°C) and maintain relative humidity below 85%.

If you must store gauges in unconditioned areas, seal them in plastic bags with a moisture-absorbing pack.

2. Dust and contaminants

Dust, debris, and airborne particles can clog the pressure connection or interfere with pointer movement. Store gauges in their original packaging or sealed containers to prevent exposure to contaminants.

3. Vibration and shock

Gauges are sensitive to impact. Place them on a padded, stable surface and avoid stacking heavy items on top. During storage or transport, keep them secure to minimize movement or vibration that could affect calibration.

Together, these environmental factors can gradually compromise a gauge’s performance long before it’s put into operation. By keeping instruments clean, dry, and protected from impact, you help preserve calibration integrity and extend service life—ensuring that each gauge performs as accurately in the field as it did when it left the factory.

Preparing pressure gauges for storage

Packaging plays an essential role in protecting pressure gauges during both shipping and long-term storage. Ashcroft gauges are packaged in durable cartons designed to minimize vibration, moisture exposure, and handling damage.

To maintain protection:

• Keep gauges in their original packaging until installation.
• Ensure protective caps remain on the pressure connections.
• Use foam or molded inserts if the original box isn’t available.
• Store cartons on shelves or pallets—never directly on damp floors.

If gauges will be stored for extended periods, place them in sealed plastic bags with desiccant packs to limit humidity exposure. Also, avoid storing gauges in direct sunlight or near heat sources, as UV exposure and temperature cycling can degrade dial markings and gaskets.

Can storage conditions affect pressure gauge accuracy?

Yes. Even when not in service, gauges can lose calibration if subjected to vibration, temperature variation, or improper storage orientation. Before reinstalling a stored gauge:

• Check that the pointer returns to zero at ambient pressure.
• Inspect the case and connection for corrosion or leaks.
• Verify the lens and fill fluid (if applicable) are clear and intact.
• Recalibrate gauges that have been stored for more than one year or under unknown conditions.

Most importantly, consider the calibration of your gauges throughout their storage period. Even when unused, gauges can drift over time due to material relaxation or environmental exposure. The frequency of recalibration depends on your process requirements, but it should be performed on a regular schedule. To learn more, see our related article, How Often Should I Check the Calibration of My Pressure Gauge?

How do you store liquid-filled gauges?

Liquid-filled gauges are often used to dampen vibration and protect the internal mechanism, but the fill fluid (usually glycerin or silicone) is sensitive to temperature and position.

To store them properly:

• Keep them upright in a shaded, temperature-stable location.
• Avoid freezing temperatures, which can cause the fill fluid to expand and damage the lens.
• Do not expose to direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Wipe the case and window clean before packaging.

The most common fill fluids are glycerin, silicone, and halocarbon, but others may be used depending on the application. Each fluid type reacts differently to temperature changes—so understanding those limits is essential. For example, glycerin should never be exposed to temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), as it can freeze and damage the instrument.

If the fluid becomes cloudy or discolored, the gauge should be inspected before reuse—this can indicate contamination or seal degradation.

What is the best way to handle pressure gauges during storage transit?

Proper handling prevents mechanical damage that might not be visible until installation. Follow these guidelines:

• Handle gauges individually—never carry them by the connection threads.
• Avoid touching the dial face or pointer.
• Use protective caps on connections at all times.
• Store upright on shelves or racks, not loosely in bins.
• During shipment, use foam-lined or anti-vibration packaging to protect delicate internal components.

Ready to learn more?

Now that you understand how to properly store your pressure gauge, you can help ensure it stays in working order to operate accurately and reliably in your process. By controlling environmental conditions, using the right packaging, and handling instruments carefully, you help ensure each gauge performs accurately when it is in use.

For more information on pressure gauges, here are a few additional articles that may be of interest:

• Are Pressure Gauges Repairable?
• How To Identify Your Pressure Gauge and Get the Proper Replacement
• How Does Temperature Affect Pressure Gauge Performance?
• How Do I Select the Right Pressure Gauge Range?

Contact us to talk to one of our industry experts and get all your pressure gauge questions answered. In the meantime, download our guide to learn how to avoid pressure equipment failure: