Are filament dryers worth it?

Ready-made filament dryers may be worth the price if you live in humid areas, 3D print often, and are willing to invest in it. These also have extra, useful features. However, some alternatives work just as well but may involve more effort or are inaccurate.
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Do you really need a filament dryer?

If you think wet filament might be at the center of your printing problems, don't worry! A filament dryer is a device designed to remove moisture from your filament, usually by using heat. However, it's important to mention that drying filament is only half of the battle; keeping your filament dry is just as important.
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Is a filament dry box worth it?

Though it is not totally necessary to store PLA filament in a dry box, leaving open spools of filament out to deal with ambient conditions on their own, will always be a bad idea.
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How important is it to dry filament?

For the 3D printing process to run properly, it is essential to prepare the filament properly. Heating the material at the appropriate temperature eliminates moisture that the filament could have absorbed.
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Is it safe to dry filament in the oven?

Ovens are not recommended for drying filament, however it still can be done with caution. Convection ovens work very well as they constantly circulate hot air around the spool.
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Does Sunlu's FilaDryer S1 Filament Drying Unit really work?



How long can PLA be left out?

PLA exposed to direct sunlight at ambient temperature can survive for 1 week then it becomes brittle. PLA filaments exposed to more than 60% humidity can be usable for less than a month but can produce bad prints.
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Can you dry filament in the microwave?

A microwave oven is a common way of drying the filament at the appropriate temperatures. It eliminates any moisture that the filament could have absorbed. While other options like a desiccant or a dry box are risk-free, microwaves can cause adverse effects. But they are incredibly effective and do the job much faster.
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Which filament dryer is best?

Best Filament Dryer in the Market
  • SUNLU Filament Dryer. Above: SUNLU Filament Dryer. ...
  • PolyMaker PolyBox. Above: The PolyMaker PolyBox/Image Source: ...
  • eSun Aibecy eBOX. eSUN comes with the printing of a 3D filament dryer box. ...
  • Chefman Food Dehydrator. ...
  • PrintDry Filament Dryer PRO.
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How do you dry a filament without a dehydrator?

Probably the easiest and most common way of drying filament is to use the oven. Just set the temperature to right below the glass transition temperature of the plastic, and leave it in there for four to six hours for the moisture to evaporate. The longer you leave it, the drier it'll get.
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Does PLA need a dry box?

PLA filament needs to be dried before use, as does all 3D printing filament. Of course, it's best to keep the filament dry at all times, but if it gets wet somehow, you will need to dry or cure it before you can use it again. The reason is that moist PLA filament will swell and change in texture.
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Can printer filament be too dry?

It gets brittle, almost like it is too dry. Additionally, wet filament can even cause pops and splatters as it prints. It's not always that obvious, but you may hear popping sounds as the moisture in the filament gets hot in the extruder's print head and the moisture in the filament turns into steam and expands.
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Does PLA filament go bad?

PLA. Typically, PLA Filament has a shelf life of about 2-3 years. This means you can buy it, store it in a cool, dry, and dark place in its original packaging (to prevent moisture), and still be able to print with it almost 3 years later. Keep in mind that after 2 years the print quality may start to degrade.
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Should I remove filament after printing?

The filament might become a bit brittle but overall it is not very risky to leave it out there. If you feel your filament is getting too brittle or unsuitable for use, you can always seal them up once they cool down in ziplock bags as they are vacuum-sealed.
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How do you keep filaments dry?

Filament is best kept dry in vacuum bags, a dry box or cabinet or a specialized 3D filament box. You can put it in a food dehydrator or an oven to dry it. A moisture-free environment is ideal for keeping your filament dry. Using desiccants in an enclosed area is the best method.
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How do you get moisture out of PLA?

Oven Drying

DIYers and professional 3D printers still utilize oven baking to get the moisture out of ABS and PLA filament. The drying process is similar to baking your favorite thanksgiving turkey. Just place your filament spool inside an oven and set it at the right temperature: 104 to 113°F (40 – 45 °C) for PLA.
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Does PLA absorb moisture?

PLA is an organic material that readily absorbs moisture, and is extremely sensitive to trace water content. Moisture also affects the diameter of the filament when it in storage.
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Can I dry filament with silica gel?

If there is enough time silica gel packs and thick plastic bags will dry filament in a safe and reliable way. Thick plastic bags with a moisture barrier are highly recommended.
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How long does filament take to dry?

To dry filament, you can use a specialized filament dryer by setting the required temperature and drying for about 4-6 hours. You can also use an oven or a vacuum bag with desiccant packs. A DIY airtight container also works well, and a food dehydrator is another great option.
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Will PLA melt in the sun?

PLA also will slowly melt in direct sunlight.
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Does PLA get brittle over time?

For a start, PLA, which stands for poly-lactic acid, is known to be relatively brittle. The property means that it is inherently brittle to a certain extent, particularly compared to materials like ABS. PLA is also known to degenerate rather rapidly, which explains why it eventually snaps off during printing.
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Is it safe to 3D print indoors?

New studies have confirmed that particles emitted from 3D printers can negatively impact indoor air quality and have the potential to harm respiratory health.
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Can I microwave PLA?

It is compostable and can break down in certain composting conditions. It is also BPA-free with NO-toxic chemicals, microwave & dishwasher (top rack) safe, heat resistant up to 120 degree celcius.
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Is PETG as strong as ABS?

For most people, there really isn't a reason to choose ABS over PETG. PETG is stronger, more durable, and it prints better. It's also available in transparent colors. ABS is only necessary if you absolutely need the 100 °C temperature resistance or its ability to be glued and painted.
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