Need a new drying oven. Recommendations?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Rat_Patrol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2025, 03:32:02 am
content: I need to be able to dry stick components and large reels.What are you all using these days?

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2025, 05:26:21 pm
content: I use my batch reflow oven to dry PC boards to prevent blistering during reflow. I just set the temp down to 50C, wait an hour, then turn the temp up to 70C and wait for 2 hours or so. Works very well. The oven is an old GE toaster oven with a thermocouple controller. The same procedure should work for components, I have used it to bake out some flat pack ICs in waffle trays.Jon

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 10, 2025, 11:54:00 am
content: I use a cheap wine fridge which I modified with a heater unit (a bunch of aluminium cased power resistors on a heatsink) and circulating fans, run from a 24V PSU and PID controller set to 70C.I run it for a couple of hours on my high MSL parts, primarily SMD RGB LEDs, to avoid them failing during reflow. Since I started using it I haven't had another occurrence.I chose this solution as if I leave it running overnight it has no real way to heat up beyond about 100C, has a good capacity, and it doesn't tie up my reflow ovens.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2025, 09:00:03 pm
content: I'm not sure what "drying stick components" means, but in the DIY and small business world it's quite common to get a cheap consumer grade oven and improve it with a custom temperature controllers. There are lots of projects with source code on sites like github and gitlab, and you can also buy ready made thermostats that can follow a temperature profile for soldering. And I assume drying is simpler then following a temperature profile for soldering.

author: Rat_Patrol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 03:28:19 am
content: Quote from: Doctorandus_P on May 11, 2025, 09:00:03 pmI already run a small army of controleo converted toaster ovens. They actually work very well, and it is easier for me to get many individual ovens working on my power than a large conveyor as I don't have 3 phase available.I was just hoping for something larger that I can put entire sticks of components into for drying as a turnkey option, but it looks like I may have to roll my own again and make a larger controleo oven, possibly making my own from complete scratch.

author: eugene
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 02:30:45 pm
content: There are a selection of drying ovens on Ebay in the $400 - $500 USD range. They look cheaply built, so they might need improvement once you take delivery.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2025, 09:08:13 pm
content: Ovens are easy to DIY.Its an (often electric) heating element, an insulated box with a door and a thermostat / timer.DIY projects have the advantage that you can build it to the exact size and heating power that you want. Disadvantage is that DIY easily suck up a lot of time, but if your insulation material is stiff enough to be self supporting for the box, the build can be quite quick and easy. It can be as simple as just rectangular sheets, and maybe put (aluminum) L-profiles over the edges, so you have more beef to add the door hinges too.For DIY, add in more heating elements than you need. It's easy to disconnect a few, and you can use them as spares.

author: Rat_Patrol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2025, 05:02:44 pm
content: Quote from: Doctorandus_P on May 26, 2025, 09:08:13 pmYeah, I'm about going to have to DIY one. I'd just rather not spend the time, but since when do we get what we want?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2025, 09:34:41 pm
content: Not sure why you need to DIY unless the size is very large.https://www.amazon.com/ROVRAk-Dehydrator-Double-Layer-Insulation-Temperature/dp/B0BPBZG5DQhttps://www.amazon.com/Cercker-Food-Dehydrator-Stainless-Dehydrator-Temperature/dp/B0CCXWK7CC

author: Rat_Patrol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2025, 03:57:43 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on May 27, 2025, 09:34:41 pmNot big enough for large reels or full sticks of components.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2025, 01:06:48 pm
content: Quote from: Doctorandus_P on May 11, 2025, 09:00:03 pmHe means he needs to dry components shipped in tubes.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2025, 09:00:36 pm
content: Quote from: Rat_Patrol on May 28, 2025, 03:57:43 amThen you go up in price:https://www.amazon.com/Commercial-Large-Food-Dehydrator-Temperature/dp/B0CNPVHKX915x15 inch trays.

author: Accu-Sembly
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2025, 08:57:43 pm
content: Blue M Ovens and/or Yamato. Dry cabinets once opened either desiccant air or nitrogen.