Desiccant dryers are a popular way to air dry clothing. They differ from other air drying methods, such as using an irradiated table top oven or using a clothesline to line the travel bag you pack for summer vacation.
Using a desiccant cannot be done while the garment is wet. It must be fully dried before use. This is due to two reasons: One, when wet, items will not easily fall down and adhere to the motor of the desiccant dryer, which would then need to be repeated of it being completely dried; and two, if it is still damp when used, it could possibly start to re-humidify once cooled after being dried.
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What is a refrigerated air dryer?
A refrigerated air dryer is a great way to remove excess moisture from your hair while it is wet. The heat generated by the motor drives the dryer through the hair breaking down any water content.
This method can be very effective when combined with a hairdryer, which adds more temperature change to the hair as it dries. This allows for better results such as less shedding and faster drying!
However, this method requires that you have a vent in your dryer that allows for cooled air to escape, or you must build a hairdryer in your cycle.
Which one should I use?
If you are looking to save money, then a refrigerator air dryer is the way to go. Desiccant has many benefits including saving money on washer and dryer cycles by not having to refresh the air every time with new clothes.
Also, when using a desiccant air dryer, it can take more than one cycle of the clothes to completely freeze causing heavy frozen pieces to fall out. This can be problematic if you need to have fresh clothing ready very quickly!
The downside is that these machines can be expensive. A good one can run around $200-$500! Luckily, we have a cheap one here at Sock Daddy HQ!
Do not buy one if you aresensitivetocold or if you need quick turnaround time due to its temperature setting.
What are the drawbacks of each one?
The main downside to the dew filter air dryer is that it can be difficult to know when the tool is completely dried. The dew filter prevents additional water molecules from entering the tool as it cools.
This can help preserve your hair’s shape and texture! Because the tool must be sitting on top of a specific surface to operate, this can make it hard to keep a tool fresh.
The other downside is that this type of air dryer might not be appropriate for very fragile hair. If hair is very fine or thick, then an LCD digital display might be too thick to comfortably hold in one hand and dry without breaking.
To prevent heat damage, clothes should be cooled using something called cold air cooling. This requires special radiator cap Fujion-san, which are sold separately.
Do they work the same way?
While both types of desiccant dryers promote static-free drying, they do so differently. The small, round air dryer used in a retail setting can be hard to find.
Typically found in larger stores or beauty supply stores, they are large and heavy. This is the type of desiccant dryer users see and use. They place their item to be dried upon a screen that traps the water within its molecules.
Once dried, the item is either packaged or shipped out with minimal preparation. It takes some time for this type of dryer to promote proper static reduction and breakdown of fabrics. However, it works!
The cylindrical desiccant dryer used in beauty products can be difficult to find at times, but they are typically found in larger buildings or places where multiple people need to work together.
What are the differences between them?
A desiccant dryer is a great way to remove excess moisture from clothing while the an air-dryer is working its magic. The difference is that the desiccant in an air-dryer is activated by cooling, and then heating again. This allows it to work with more moisture and continue to cool as it dries.
In contrast, a fridge-dryer does not require further cooling after being plugged into a power source, which can be tricky if you have very hot or wet clothes. This can be disastrous as the clothes will heat up incredibly quickly and may break while being dried.
The best desiccant dryers are user friendly and do not cost much money. There are some really good budget models that are guaranteed to work however.
What is a desiccant?
A desiccant is a substance that acts like a dry vacuum inside your dryer. It reduces moisture in the air by adsorbing it.
Desiccants can be divided into two main groups: activated and non-activated. Activated desiccants reduce moisture via an active process such as addition of a compound or addition to water.
Non-activated desiccants prevent moisture from forming by adsorbing it instead. This can be tricky as you may need to add more to achieve the same result as an activated desiccant.
Activated desiccants are found in most commercial dryers, whereas non-activated ones are usually found in less-expensive models.
Are they more effective than refrigerated air dryers?
While both an air dryer and a desiccant dryer can be used to air-dry hair, the desiccant dryer is believed to be more effective at removing heat damage from the hair.
The reason for this is that when hair is being dried, it is being moved through a process ofhot air and cold water. As the heat is being applied, it is being moved through several stages ofheat and cool-air distribution.
At each stage, hair can become slightly dehydrated, which can lead to heat damage. With the desiccant dryer, when you are done, you simply sweep a piece of tissue over the hairs and they will withdraw their moisture.
How do they work?
Desiccant dryers work by using a mixture of chemicals that evaporate when exposed to air, and fans that circulate the air. This creates a chemical vacuum that sucks moisture away from your hair.
By preventing moisture from reaching your hair while it dries, the process is quicker and more uniform. Desiccant dryers also have fan capability to circulate the air and ensure even drying.
Refrigerated air driers do not require a desiccant, but have to have a fan to work. The problem with this is that your hair may still get hot while it dries, which can be annoying.
To prevent damage to your hair during drying, be careful with what products you use.