Food Dehydrators & Paint Dryers

[BDSchindler]

This wo'n't be the "popular" vote but I was looking for a dehydrator and was skeptical of using a household appliance potentially capable of cooking food to dry paint.

So I bought a Dr. Dry Booth from Micromark based on a recommendation from George B

.

Here's the review I posted on Micromark:

Great drying booth

I’m usually not one for writing reviews but this was an exception for an exceptional product.

I had toyed with the idea of getting a cheap dehydrator for painting but I was always afraid of potential issues with too much heat and having to modify racks so it would actually hold a model and/or parts. Not the case with Dr Drybooth.

Yes it is a bit pricey when compared to modified food dehydrators but the confidence of knowing the heat is adjustable as it the drying time, I am glad I spent the extra money for a quality product!

I put a thermometer inside and cranked the heat. It warmed up in no time and kept a constant temperature until the timer ran out NEVER going higher 110 degrees.

Simple to use right out of the box and it is everything that the description says it is and MORE!

Try it once is all I can say, you’ll be glad you did!

AND, the price has dropped since I bought mine.

For those that need a longer, larger dryer...Micromark has one of those too...

Edited September 3, 2020 by BDSchindler

[Ctmodeler]

Nesco dehydrator bought at goodwill.  Best investment ever !

[Hondamatic]

Cosori from Amazon, 65 bucks and has temp and time on it. Works great, just a little big

[Dpate]

On 9/2/2020 at 11:34 PM, BDSchindler said:

This wo'n't be the "popular" vote but I was looking for a dehydrator and was skeptical of using a household appliance potentially capable of cooking food to dry paint.

So I bought a Dr. Dry Booth from Micromark based on a recommendation from George B

.

Here's the review I posted on Micromark:

Great drying booth

I’m usually not one for writing reviews but this was an exception for an exceptional product.

I had toyed with the idea of getting a cheap dehydrator for painting but I was always afraid of potential issues with too much heat and having to modify racks so it would actually hold a model and/or parts. Not the case with Dr Drybooth.

Yes it is a bit pricey when compared to modified food dehydrators but the confidence of knowing the heat is adjustable as it the drying time, I am glad I spent the extra money for a quality product!

I put a thermometer inside and cranked the heat. It warmed up in no time and kept a constant temperature until the timer ran out NEVER going higher 110 degrees.

Simple to use right out of the box and it is everything that the description says it is and MORE!

Try it once is all I can say, you’ll be glad you did!

AND, the price has dropped since I bought mine.

For those that need a longer, larger dryer...Micromark has one of those too...

I own the smaller one.  It stopped heating like 3 days ago, and I've emailed them about replacement parts etc but haven't heard anything back.  I've only had it for 11 months and probably used it 4 of those months like 2-3 hours every other day.

[peteski]

On 9/2/2020 at 11:34 PM, BDSchindler said:

This wo'n't be the "popular" vote but I was looking for a dehydrator and was skeptical of using a household appliance potentially capable of cooking food to dry paint.

Not really.  Dehydrators are specifically design for low-temperature drying (dehydrating or removing moisture) of food -- never cooking.

I have a very simple one. It has a 40W heating element on the bottom, and it uses adjustable vents to control the air flow (and temperature). No thermostat, no electrical adjustments.  I bought it about 35 years ago, and over those years I probably have several hundred hours of use.  Still works well, and the temperature (I have a cooking thermometer in it to monitor temperature) has never gone over 120 degrees (because I adjusted the vents for that temperature). I usually use it around 110 degrees (again by adjusting the air flow vents).

Basically this is what could be achieved by sticking a 40W light bulb in a cardboard box with some holes cut in it for ventilation and air flow.  Can't get any simpler.

[Pete J.]

9 hours ago, peteski said:

Not really.  Dehydrators are specifically design for low-temperature drying (dehydrating or removing moisture) of food -- never cooking.

I have a very simple one. It has a 40W heating element on the bottom, and it uses adjustable vents to control the air flow (and temperature). No thermostat, no electrical adjustments.  I bought it about 35 years ago, and over those years I probably have several hundred hours of use.  Still works well, and the temperature (I have a cooking thermometer in it to monitor temperature) has never gone over 120 degrees (because I adjusted the vents for that temperature). I usually use it around 110 degrees (again by adjusting the air flow vents).

Basically this is what could be achieved by sticking a 40W light bulb in a cardboard box with some holes cut in it for ventilation and air flow.  Can't get any simpler.

My guess is we have the same one.  These were marketed under a bunch of other names but I believe mine was a Ronco. They still sell them and if my ever quits I will buy another one.  I cut the grids out of one of the rings to get additional height.  Cut away 2/3s for them for a small shelf.   Been on my bench for about 30 years as well. I also use it to heat rattle cans.  I just keep the Tamiya primer in there and add whatever color I am going to spray when I use it. 

[espo]

My only suggestion on Dehydrators would be to get one with adjustable heat ranges. I have found out the hard way that many of the older plastic models had a lower temp at which it would start to change shapes. I lost most of the interior and the dash from an AMT '57 Bel Air done in the brown plastic. Best to go at a lower temp for a longer time kind of like a good steak.  

[Modelbuilder Mark]

3 hours ago, espo said:

My only suggestion on Dehydrators would be to get one with adjustable heat ranges. I have found out the hard way that many of the older plastic models had a lower temp at which it would start to change shapes. I lost most of the interior and the dash from an AMT '57 Bel Air done in the brown plastic. Best to go at a lower temp for a longer time kind of like a good steak.  

I like the Dr Dry Booth, and at that price it is very tempting to buy it, as I really like that front loading, without have to fidgit with rack height al the time, and leave the bodies on the paint stands etc. 

If you have one with no thermostat , (like I do as my wife found one unused at a garage sale I believe) and the temp cannot be reduced to the 105 to 110 as it is, you can use one of these to adjust the element if the vent holes are not enough. As others have said, I use a candy thermometer to see the temp where the parts are. 

Philmore 30-10194 AC Plug-In Dimmer Switch Light Lutron, (can be had for just over $10) or use a Dremel rheostat if you have one. 

[peteski]

6 hours ago, Pete J. said:

My guess is we have the same one.  These were marketed under a bunch of other names but I believe mine was a Ronco. They still sell them and if my ever quits I will buy another one.  I cut the grids out of one of the rings to get additional height.  Cut away 2/3s for them for a small shelf.   Been on my bench for about 30 years as well. I also use it to heat rattle cans.  I just keep the Tamiya primer in there and add whatever color I am going to spray when I use it. 

Similar design, but not identical.  I don't recall where I bought it. It was likely one of the online cooking gadgets catalog, and I ordered it by mail (pre-Internet times). There is no brand name on it.

I also cut out the trays from all the intermediate sections to clear enough room for car and truck bodies.

It is sitting on the shelf, with a cooking thermometer stuck in one of the vent slots.

Edited October 17, 2021 by peteski

[espo]

18 hours ago, Modelbuilder Mark said:

I like the Dr Dry Booth, and at that price it is very tempting to buy it, as I really like that front loading, without have to fidgit with rack height al the time, and leave the bodies on the paint stands etc. 

If you have one with no thermostat , (like I do as my wife found one unused at a garage sale I believe) and the temp cannot be reduced to the 105 to 110 as it is, you can use one of these to adjust the element if the vent holes are not enough. As others have said, I use a candy thermometer to see the temp where the parts are. 

Philmore 30-10194 AC Plug-In Dimmer Switch Light Lutron, (can be had for just over $10) or use a Dremel rheostat if you have one. 

Thank you for the info on the rheostat.  With this I may be able to again use my dehydrator without fear of melting bodies and parts.  

[Dave Van]

22 hours ago, Pete J. said:

My guess is we have the same one.  These were marketed under a bunch of other names but I believe mine was a Ronco. They still sell them and if my ever quits I will buy another one.  I cut the grids out of one of the rings to get additional height.  Cut away 2/3s for them for a small shelf.   Been on my bench for about 30 years as well. I also use it to heat rattle cans.  I just keep the Tamiya primer in there and add whatever color I am going to spray when I use it. 

That looks exactly like mine....in use from the early 1990's. I cut the floor out of one ring. $10  very well spent. 

[Modelbuilder Mark]

11 hours ago, espo said:

Thank you for the info on the rheostat.  With this I may be able to again use my dehydrator without fear of melting bodies and parts.  

Glad I could help with some useful info. Just grab the candy/cooking thermometer from the kitchen, toss it in, where your model parts would be sitting, close the lid, and experiment with the rheostat dial until you get the temp you want. I usually go for 105-110. Once you get it right, I put a tic mark on the dial for future reference. 

Edited October 19, 2021 by Modelbuilder Mark

[crowe-t]

I've been testing some new clear.  It's 1K acrylic urethane clear from Duplicolor and KBS Coatings.  They both claim about 48 hours for total cure and will dry rock hard.  However I found that not to be the case.  The Duplicolor does get rock hard after a couple of months.  So far the KBS Coatings clear isn't rock hard yet after a few weeks.  

Will a dehydrator help to cure 1K acrylic urethane?  Neither of these use a hardener so they cure by evaporation.  The room I have the bodies in is a bit cold so maybe that's slowing the cure time.  

Can anyone recommend a decent dehydrator that doesn't cost too much?

 

Edited December 10, 2021 by crowe-t

[Dpate]

On 12/10/2021 at 2:40 PM, crowe-t said:

I've been testing some new clear.  It's 1K acrylic urethane clear from Duplicolor and KBS Coatings.  They both claim about 48 hours for total cure and will dry rock hard.  However I found that not to be the case.  The Duplicolor does get rock hard after a couple of months.  So far the KBS Coatings clear isn't rock hard yet after a few weeks.  

Will a dehydrator help to cure 1K acrylic urethane?  Neither of these use a hardener so they cure by evaporation.  The room I have the bodies in is a bit cold so maybe that's slowing the cure time.  

Can anyone recommend a decent dehydrator that doesn't cost too much?

 

This is the dehydrator i have now https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083DZ24GF?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details since my micro mark one died on me just the heating element, but i don't know how too fix it lol.  When i bought the one in the link i got it for around $99 so it's went up since than, but it's really nice.  You can adjust the temp to what you want, set the timer to what you want, and it'll auto shut off when done too.  

To answer your other question yeah the cold will slow down the drying time especially since you have no hardener in it.   A dehydrator will def help you like 6-8 hours around 110F it should be nice and cure.

[crowe-t]

15 minutes ago, Dpate said:

This is the dehydrator i have now https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083DZ24GF?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details since my micro mark one died on me just the heating element, but i don't know how too fix it lol.  When i bought the one in the link i got it for around $99 so it's went up since than, but it's really nice.  You can adjust the temp to what you want, set the timer to what you want, and it'll auto shut off when done too.  

To answer your other question yeah the cold will slow down the drying time especially since you have no hardener in it.   A dehydrator will def help you like 6-8 hours around 110F it should be nice and cure.

Thanks Dusty!

I'm looking for something a bit more affordable.  I found these on Amazon.  With the exception of one they have a temperature control.  

Is it important to have an adjustable temperature control?

Is there any other feature(s) I need to look for?

https://www.amazon.com/Chefman-Food-Dehydrator-Transparent-Temperature/dp/B08RHF6WH1/ref=sr_1_17_sspa?crid=3KPGEKX8BOBY&keywords=food+dehydrator&qid=1639261728&sprefix=food+d%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-17-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyRFVTN1ZLVTdFRFEwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTk4NDU4MllMR05EVDRDQ1JIMyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTM5NzI4MUdTN01BMEs1WkMwRiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

https://www.amazon.com/Elite-Gourmet-Dehydrator-BPA-Free-Stackable/dp/B08BSQZ2LS/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3KPGEKX8BOBY&keywords=food+dehydrator&qid=1639261728&sprefix=food+d%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-4

https://www.amazon.com/Dehydrator-Professional-Circulations-NutriChef-PKFD12/dp/B00VHLXAQC/ref=sr_1_20?crid=3KPGEKX8BOBY&keywords=food%2Bdehydrator&qid=1639261969&sprefix=food%2Bd%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-20&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Countertop-Dehydrator-Adjustable-RHFD-15001/dp/B018UR4XJI/ref=sr_1_30?crid=3KPGEKX8BOBY&keywords=food%2Bdehydrator&qid=1639261969&sprefix=food%2Bd%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-30&th=1

[Dpate]

2 hours ago, crowe-t said:

Thanks Dusty!

I'm looking for something a bit more affordable.  I found these on Amazon.  With the exception of one they have a temperature control.  

Is it important to have an adjustable temperature control?

Is there any other feature(s) I need to look for?

https://www.amazon.com/Chefman-Food-Dehydrator-Transparent-Temperature/dp/B08RHF6WH1/ref=sr_1_17_sspa?crid=3KPGEKX8BOBY&keywords=food+dehydrator&qid=1639261728&sprefix=food+d%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-17-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyRFVTN1ZLVTdFRFEwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTk4NDU4MllMR05EVDRDQ1JIMyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTM5NzI4MUdTN01BMEs1WkMwRiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

https://www.amazon.com/Elite-Gourmet-Dehydrator-BPA-Free-Stackable/dp/B08BSQZ2LS/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3KPGEKX8BOBY&keywords=food+dehydrator&qid=1639261728&sprefix=food+d%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-4

https://www.amazon.com/Dehydrator-Professional-Circulations-NutriChef-PKFD12/dp/B00VHLXAQC/ref=sr_1_20?crid=3KPGEKX8BOBY&keywords=food%2Bdehydrator&qid=1639261969&sprefix=food%2Bd%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-20&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Countertop-Dehydrator-Adjustable-RHFD-15001/dp/B018UR4XJI/ref=sr_1_30?crid=3KPGEKX8BOBY&keywords=food%2Bdehydrator&qid=1639261969&sprefix=food%2Bd%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-30&th=1

First two are nice.  It's not important to have 100% adjustable temp just long as you can get around 100-110F you're good.  Those cheap ones will work fine just use a temp checker to make sure temps are right, and keep an eye on it.  

[crowe-t]

On 10/20/2019 at 8:47 PM, Joe Handley said:

Welp, I just broke down and ordered one of these with a package of the extra nesting trays, should be in on Tuesday!

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Presto-Dehydro-Digital-Electric-Food-Dehydrator/45074199

 

Quick edit, got a notification that it arrived today!

Have you used it yet?  

[Joe Handley]

3 hours ago, crowe-t said:

Have you used it yet?  

Sadly, no, it’s still in the shipping box from WalMart that I received it in. I’m just now sitting next to it since I’m working from home out of the room I had put it in.

[kymdlr]

Im thinking about getting one as well. the majority of the dehydrators I found are circle shaped and have stackable "shelves" that are not tall enough to fit bodies in. I think im understanding corectly but to make sure, are yall cutting all the shelves out and just keeping the outer ring portion for height?
 

[modelercarl]

I have a Nesco dehydrator about 12" square with temperature control.  You have more capacity over a round one and you can buy additional "shelves" to add even more capacity.  I kept one "shelf" complete (didn't remove the webbing) and place that about halfway up to provide another shelf to place painted kit parts on which lets me double the number of painted parts being cured.  

[maxwell48098]

5 hours ago, kymdlr said:

Im thinking about getting one as well. the majority of the dehydrators I found are circle shaped and have stackable "shelves" that are not tall enough to fit bodies in. I think im understanding corectly but to make sure, are yall cutting all the shelves out and just keeping the outer ring portion for height?
 

You can raise the height between the racks making spacers by going to your local hardware store, Home Depot, or Lowes and buy some aluminum flashing.  The flashing I bought was 10" wide, so I just cut a piece long enough to go around the circumference of my lower tray, with a 2" overlap at the end so you can attach the two ends together. (I riveted mine, and sealed the end with a piece of duct tape.)  I made 3 of these aluminum "spacers", so I can dry at least three bodies at a time if I needed to. Pretty easy and cheap.

[peteski]

I cut out the "shelves" in all but 2 stackable rings.

[moparfarmer]

On 12/11/2021 at 4:17 PM, Dpate said:

This is the dehydrator i have now https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083DZ24GF?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details since my micro mark one died on me just the heating element, but i don't know how too fix it lol.  When i bought the one in the link i got it for around $99 so it's went up since than, but it's really nice.  You can adjust the temp to what you want, set the timer to what you want, and it'll auto shut off when done too.  

To answer your other question yeah the cold will slow down the drying time especially since you have no hardener in it.   A dehydrator will def help you like 6-8 hours around 110F it should be nice and cure.

Dusty, I was going to ask about the Duplicolor 1K clear, is it the same as Duplicolor Ceramic engine enamel clear..both are same price..Sorry to hi jack the thread..

[Dpate]

16 hours ago, moparfarmer said:

Dusty, I was going to ask about the Duplicolor 1K clear, is it the same as Duplicolor Ceramic engine enamel clear..both are same price..Sorry to hi jack the thread..

Never used either, but i would go with the 1K clear because UV protection that the engine clear doesnt have.

[crowe-t]

Has anyone used this dehydrator from Ivation?  Someone on Facebook recommended it.

https://www.amazon.com/Ivation-Digital-Electric-Dehydrator-Vegetables/dp/B017KSBYHC/ref=dp_prsubs_3?pd_rd_i=B017KSBYHC&psc=1

I was also looking at the Micro Make Dr Drybooth from Micro Mark but it's $169 and seems to be basically a food dehydrator.

Edited January 6, 2022 by crowe-t