Video summary

Do You ACTUALLY Need To Dry Your Filament? (Probably Not)

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Summary of Key Points (Product Reviewed: Sunlu E2 Filament Dryer)

What it is / main features

  • Filament dryer model: Sunlu E2 (sponsored; sent for review/test).
  • High drying temperature: positioned as a dryer that can reach 110°C, intended to properly dry more exotic or hygroscopic materials.
  • Multi-use: described as an annealing oven for parts due to the high temperature (with the reminder that you shouldn’t put toxic plastics in a food oven).

Why it’s used in the video

  • The video investigates whether filament actually needs drying, especially given the common online fear about “wet filament.”
  • The creator operates in a high-humidity environment (~75% year-round) and intentionally uses wet/aged filament to test real-world impact.
  • The Sunlu E2 is used to attempt drying on materials that often fail to be restored by other dryers.

Pros mentioned (in the context of performance)

  • The creator previously struggled to dry certain expensive/exotic materials enough with other dryers, but the Sunlu E2 succeeded—described as “results were absolutely staggering.”
  • It supports testing/drying for materials such as PPS-CF, PAHT-CF, Polycarbonate, and others that may require higher drying temperatures.

Cons / limitations mentioned

  • No explicit criticism of the dryer’s performance is stated.
  • The bigger limitation is the testing method:
    • The creator’s tensile tester is weaker than Stefan/CNC Kitchen’s, limiting horizontal breaking tests (many samples couldn’t be broken horizontally).
    • Sample size per condition is limited (often fewer than ideal), reducing statistical confidence.

User experience / workflow

  • Test design:
    • Use the same g-code
    • Print samples before drying and after drying
  • Then:
    1. Visually compare results
    2. Break samples and compare strength (looking at vertical vs horizontal orientations)
  • The high-temperature dryer makes it easier to run this workflow for hygroscopic/exotic materials.

Comparisons made

  • Compared to other filament dryers (general): the creator claims prior dryers couldn’t dry some exotic materials “enough” until using the Sunlu E2.
  • Indirect comparison to CNC Kitchen’s testing: while the video’s conclusions support drying benefits for some materials, direct strength-number comparisons aren’t possible due to different test rigs and methodologies.

Unique Points Mentioned About the Product (Sunlu E2)

  1. Reaches 110°C (positioned as unusually high vs many market options).
  2. Successfully dries exotic/hygroscopic filaments that other dryers couldn’t restore well.
  3. Can also function as an annealing oven.
  4. Enabled the video’s “wet vs dry filament” testing across a broad range of materials.

Overall Verdict / Recommendation (Based on the Video)

  • The practical takeaway is that drying is crucial for many materials beyond PLA/ABS/ASA, and the Sunlu E2 is presented as a strong option specifically because it can reach 110°C, helping restore/dry even difficult materials.
  • If you print nylons, PETG variants, PC blends, and carbon-fiber composites, the dryer is implicitly recommended.
  • If you mainly print PLA/ABS/ASA and already have reasonable storage conditions, the video suggests drying is often less necessary—though the dryer still supports annealing and broader-material workflows.

Speakers / Contributors (Views Separate)

  • Video creator (main): focuses on whether drying is truly necessary; frames the Sunlu E2 as enabling effective drying for difficult materials and bases conclusions on wet vs dry outcomes.
  • Stefan (CNC Kitchen) — graded/method feedback: agrees with the core finding that drying impacts strength mostly in the vertical orientation; supports the idea that drying improves process stability and prevents performance degradation; praises the experimental approach (while noting limitations).

Original video