How to dry filament (PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS)

Wet filament causes popping, strings and rough surfaces. Drying is cheap and fixes half of all defects.

Signs of wet filament

• Popping or tiny bubbles at the nozzle
• Thin strings and a dull, rough surface
• Brittle parts that snap between layers

Typical temperatures and times

• PLA: 45–50 °C for 6 hours
• PETG: 65 °C for 6–8 hours
• TPU: 55 °C for 8 hours
• ABS and ASA: 80 °C for 4 hours
• PA (nylon): 80 °C for 12 hours

How to do it

1. Use a filament dryer: it’s the safest option.
2. If you use an oven, check the real temperature with a thermometer: PLA deforms above ~55 °C.
3. Let the spool cool while closed before printing.
4. Store spools in a sealed box with silica gel.