PLA (polylactic acid) is one of the most used materials for 3D printing, but it is highly susceptible to water absorption. If you’ve noticed inconsistent extrusion, bubbling, or weak layer adhesion, your filament might be wet. Learning to dry PLA filament is essential to achieving good print quality.
This guide will explore why drying PLA is essential and provide effective methods to dry and store your filament properly.
Why Drying PLA Filament Matters
Many 3D printing enthusiasts ask: “Do you need to drying PLA filament?” The answer is yes! Wet PLA filament leads to printing defects such as:
- Popping or hissing sounds during extrusion
- Brittle, weak prints with poor adhesion
- Increased stringing and blobs on prints
- Nozzle clogs due to steam expansion
Properly drying PLA filament allows its full performance to be recovered and facilitates high quality, smooth printing.
How Long to Dry PLA Filament?
The drying time is determined by the technique employed and the filament’s humidity level. In general, PLA should be dried for 4 to 6 hours at 45-55°C (113-131°F) to remove moisture effectively. The following are the most efficient ways to dry PLA filament.
Best Way to drying PLA Filament: 5 Proven Methods
1. Using an Oven
An easy way for drying PLA filament PLA is with a household oven. Follow these steps:
- Preheat the oven to 45-55°C (113-131°F).
- Place the filament on an oven-safe tray.
- Don’t fully seal the oven door, but leave it partially open so that moisture can evaporate.
- Dry for 4-6 hours, checking periodically.
Be cautious—household ovens often have temperature fluctuations that can soften or deform the filament if set too high.
2. Filament Dryer
A filament dryer (ideal for drying 3D printing materials). It provides accurate temperature control and maintainable airflow, which is the ideal method to drying PLA filament economically. All it takes is to load up the spool, choose the temperature and let the dryer extract the excess water.
3. Food Dehydrator
Food dehydrators are similar to filament dryers but usually cheaper. They are well ventilated to circulate warm air evenly over the spool which, although there is no filament dryer used to dry PLA filament, makes them an ideal dryer. Arrange the temperature at 45-50°C and to run it for 4-6 h.
4. Silica Gel and Airtight Containers
If you are looking for a passive approach, utilize silica gel to help dry PLA filament. Place the filament in a sealed container with silica gel packets and allow it to uptake moisture with time. This approach is slower but allows to keep dry filament for longer periods.
5. Rice as a Moisture Absorber
When silica gel is not available, dry rice will serve as a natural desiccant. Store your filament in a sealed container of rice for 24-48 hours to remove moisture. Although less efficient than other techniques, it serves as a cheap option for PLA filament drying.
How to Dry PLA Filament Without a Dryer?
If you don’t own a filament dryer, using an oven, food dehydrator, or silica gel is the best way to dry PLA filament. Each method effectively removes moisture without requiring specialized equipment.
How to Keep PLA Filament Dry?
Proper storage afterPLA filament rewetting is important to prevent rewetting. Follow these tips:
- Store filament in airtight containers with desiccant packs.
- Use vacuum-sealed bags for long-term storage.
- Keep filament away from humid environments.
- Use a dry box when printing in high-humidity areas.
Conclusion
Do I need to dry PLA filament? Absolutely! Moisture can decimate the quality of your 3D prints, however with an appropriate dehydration technique you can recover and maintain good performance. No matter you use oven, food dehydrator, silica gel, or a special filament dryer, to make PLA filament dry well will greatly improve your 3D printing.