What do we need to be aware of when using food dehydrator to cook PLA and PETG filaments?
Hi, besides taking off the trays and putting the filaments in, is there anything that we need to pay attention to? Will cooking these filaments in dehydrator also release some toxic fume?
RE: What do we need to be aware of when using food dehydrator to cook PLA and PETG filaments?
Try not to cook it :). Just a gentle heat.
Any material releases fumes. With higher temperature, more fumes are being released. If you stay below the glass transition temperature, no additional toxic fumes should be released. Just a regular plastic odor but obviously more of it.
Depending on the dehydrator, you should check the temperature is even distributed across the chamber and stays constant.
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RE: What do we need to be aware of when using food dehydrator to cook PLA and PETG filaments?
Thank you.
I bought the following one:
How to check if the temperature is evenly distributed across the chamber and stays constant? What is the glass transition temperature?
For the length of time and temperature, @Charles-h13 mentioned:
- PLA,50°C (122°F),> 3h
- PETG/CPE,65°C (149°F),> 3h
How do I know when is the time to stop?
RE: What do we need to be aware of when using food dehydrator to cook PLA and PETG filaments?
Also, am I supposed to do the drying in a well ventilated place rather than a bedroom with poor ventilation?
RE: What do we need to be aware of when using food dehydrator to cook PLA and PETG filaments?
What is the glass transition temperature? This means the filament will change , the material will change. Even before you can see it.
Check google for save temperature.
Then wen testing keep the temp lower, and use a different/precise temperature measuring device.
Better keep in in longer then destroying the roll of filament.
RE: What do we need to be aware of when using food dehydrator to cook PLA and PETG filaments?
What is the glass transition temperature? This means the filament will change , the material will change. Even before you can see it.
Check google for save temperature.
Then wen testing keep the temp lower, and use a different/precise temperature measuring device.
Better keep in in longer then destroying the roll of filament.
Thank you. Do you have any good suggestion on precise temperature measuring device? Ideally not so expensive.
What do you mean by destroying the roll of filament? Do you mean if I set drying to 3 hours and if I take it before that, I will destroy the filament?
RE: What do we need to be aware of when using food dehydrator to cook PLA and PETG filaments?
@peter-c20
If you make it to hot(you do not know if your dehydrator works good), it will make the filament bad, that's why check with a second temperature sensor if it is the good temperature, if you like to try without checking, I would take a lower temp to try.
RE: What do we need to be aware of when using food dehydrator to cook PLA and PETG filaments?
How do I know if the filament is dry enough so that no further heating is required?
RE: What do we need to be aware of when using food dehydrator to cook PLA and PETG filaments?
You could weight the filament, or try to print.
RE: What do we need to be aware of when using food dehydrator to cook PLA and PETG filaments?
How many percent lighter corresponds to time to stop?
In the case of microwave, I usually make the setting and then after about 10 seconds, stop the microwave and see if the food is hot enough. If so, stop. Otherwise, continue. How about the case of drying the filament? Same procedure but in unit of an hour or 30 minutes rather than in second?
RE: What do we need to be aware of when using food dehydrator to cook PLA and PETG filaments?
Thank you.
I bought the following one:
How to check if the temperature is evenly distributed across the chamber and stays constant? What is the glass transition temperature?
For the length of time and temperature, @Charles-h13 mentioned:
- PLA,50°C (122°F),> 3h
- PETG/CPE,65°C (149°F),> 3h
How do I know when is the time to stop?
Peter,
I do timed dehydration.
https://www.printdry.com/how-to-dry-filaments/
https://www.3dmakerengineering.com/blogs/3d-printing/how-to-dry-3d-printer-filament
I dry PLA about 3 hours and then test it. I have never used weight as a means to determine if it is ready.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog