Filament Drying Guide: Removing Moisture with an Oven, Filament Dryer, or Food Dehydrator

Before tossing a moisture-damaged spool in the bin, stop — most of the time there is a straightforward way to save it. Filament drying is the process of evaporating trapped moisture at a low, controlled temperature so the filament becomes healthy and printable again. There are three common methods; we explain each one along with its key tips below.

First, Know the Right Temperature

The goal is to heat the filament, not melt it. Each material has its own safe drying range, and exceeding that limit will deform the spool:

• PLA: 40–50 °C, approximately 4–6 hours
• PETG: 60–65 °C, approximately 4–6 hours
• Nylon: 70–80 °C, 8 hours or more
• TPU: 50–55 °C, approximately 4–5 hours

Method 1: Filament Dryer

The most practical and safest option is a dedicated filament dryer. It sets temperature precisely and, on most models, keeps the spool dry even while printing. If you print frequently, this is the healthiest long-term investment.

Method 2: Food Dehydrator

Food dehydrators designed for drying fruits and vegetables are also very well suited to drying filament because they deliver low, even heat. Usually you just remove the middle trays and place the spool inside. Just make sure the device’s temperature indicator is accurate.

Method 3: Kitchen Oven

If you have nothing else on hand, an oven will do the job — but it is the method that requires the most care. Most household ovens run too hot even at their lowest setting, and temperature fluctuations are common.

If you are going to use an oven

• Use the fan (convection) mode at the lowest possible temperature if available
• Verify the actual temperature with a separate oven thermometer
• Prop the door open occasionally to let moisture escape
• Avoid the oven for PLA — the risk of deformation is high

Whichever method you choose, remember to store the dried filament immediately in a sealed container with a desiccant; otherwise it will reabsorb moisture within a few days.

If you would rather not deal with any of this, you can leave the printing to us. In our workshop, filaments are already stored under controlled conditions — just send your file through our quick quote page and we will handle the rest.

Saving a spool is usually a matter of a few minutes of preparation and a little patience — well worth trying.