EDITOR'S NOTE: Welcome to part two of our handy PetEdge guide to selecting the right grooming dryer. In part one of our series last week, we discussed some common grooming dryer terminology, including FPM, CPM and horsepower.
In part two of our series, we'll discuss the three common types of grooming dryers and list some of the benefits of each one.
Thanks and happy grooming :)
TYPES OF DRYERS
The basic categories of dryers are:
STAND DRYERS:
The main function of stand dryers is to fluff dry, or table dry. In a stand dryer setup, the stream of air is directed at an area of the dog's coat, leaving the groomer's hands free to work the coat with brush or comb. Because the nozzle on the end of the arm can be aimed in a specific direction, it can also be directed into the front of a cage for cage drying.
If the stand dryer has a heating element, you can use the heat to set the straightness of a curly coat. If set by heat, the coat will stay straight for longer after the groom.
A stand dryer like our Master Equipment FlashDry Dryer (above) features an adjustable hose and nozzle that can be positioned to dry the pet one part at a time.
FORCE DRYERS:
Force dryers have a very high air speed. This high velocity stream of air literally blasts the excess water out of the coat. Using a force dryer will cut drying time in half, enabling groomers to work on many more dogs in a day.
One of our staff groomers uses a force dryer on a fully wet dog while the dog is still in the tub. This gets the majority of the water off the dog, allowing her to take a damp dog (rather than a dripping one) out of the tub.
A force dryer can also greatly reduce laundry expenses, because you no longer need to use towels on the dog except for the sensitive areas such as head, feet and groin.
While force dryers generally don't have a heating element, the hair still gets warmed by virtue of passing over the motor on its way through the dryer from the intake to the hose. A 4HP motor will wamr the air about an average of 20 degrees over room temperature once the motor reaches full operating temperature.
Some examples of force dryers are the Master Equipment Blue Force Professional Pet Dryer or the Metro Air Force Master Blaster Dryer.
A force dryer like our Master Equipment Blue Force Dryer (above) typically uses a high volume of warm (non-heated) air to blow water out of the coat.
CAGE DRYERS:
Cage dryers come with and without heat and in single-speed, two-speed and three-speed models. Cage Dryers are also available with variable hose options so you can dry multiple cages with one dryer. Any dryer that comes with more than one hose should have baffles (doors) that close off each hose so you can customize how many you use at a time.
Cage dryers are a handy way to dry short to medium coats that are not too thick. The advantage of a cage dryer is you can secure a pet in a cage to dry while you work on another pet or do other things around the shop. Be sure to check on animals frequently when using cage dryers to make sure they don't become overheated.
Cage Dryers like the Double K ChallengAir (shown above) can be attached to a cage to comfortably dry pets in a contained environment.
HYBRID DRYERS:
Hybrid dryers can perform as a fluff, cage and force dryer, and can do all three things very efficiently.
Many hybrid dryers also include a heating element to make their use as a cage dryer more efficient. The heating element should never be used when force drying because the combination of heated air and friction passing through the hose can increase the temperature enough to melt your hose!
Some examples of hybrid or combination dryers are Metro Top Gun Stand Dryers and the Master Equipment PowerDry Dryer.
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS:
No matter which dryer a groomer selects, it is imperative to find out how many cubic feet per minute (CFM) it produces, how fast the dryer is moving those cubic feet of air, and how long the dryer is under warranty.
If you shop for grooming dryers at PetEdge.com, be sure to click on the specifications tab to see all these vital stats, plus more helpful info.
It should make your shopping experience a lot easier.
YOUR TURN:
Do you have a preference for stand dryers, cage dryers or force dryers? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment on the blog, or on our Facebook wall. Thanks!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: PetEdge, Inc. is a leading supplier of wholesale pet products and discount dog grooming supplies. We're your one-stop source for grooming tables, tubs, dryers and more. Visit us online any time at www.petedge.com or call 800-PetEdge.
P.S. Be sure to ask about our free shampoo samples for professional groomers.
Where would you classify the Andis Comfort Dry Handheld Pet Dryer? https://www.petedge.com/product/Grooming/Products-for-Mobile-Groomers/Bathing-Drying/Andis-Comfort-Dry-Handheld-Pet-Dryer/pc/190/c/1358/sc/1350/54656.uts
I'm looking for something small/portable and relatively quiet. The stand dryers would have been great since they aren't as loud as the force dryers but they're also not very portable.
Suggestions appreciated. Thanks!
Posted by: M N | 07/20/2012 at 07:34 PM