A method for automatically operating a drying system with a drying chamber filled with at least one air volume, a) in which in the event of a cold start of the drying system a control unit sets an exhaust air volume to be discharged from the drying chamber by at least one exhaust fan to a first value suitable for a provided drying process, b) in which the control unit upon reaching this first value sets the exhaust air volume to be discharged from the drying chamber by at least one exhaust fan to a second value higher in comparison with its first value for a flushing time, c) in which after the expiration of the flushing time the control unit sets the exhaust air volume to be discharged from the drying chamber by the at least one exhaust fan back to the first value, d) in which the control unit upon reaching the first value again ignites a heating element heating the gas for the exhaust air volume to be discharged from the drying chamber by the at least one exhaust fan, e) in which an item to be dried laden with a solvent is supplied to the drying chamber of the drying system, wherein the item to be dried release its solvent load at least partially in the drying chamber during their drying, f) in which the item to be dried is dried in a direct contact with the flowing gas heated to a process temperature by a heating element during its run through the drying chamber, g) in which the control unit begins the run of the item to be dried through the drying chamber and hence the drying process, as soon as the gas heated by the heating element reaches its process temperature, h) in which the process temperature of the gas heated by the heating element and the exhaust air volume discharged from the drying chamber by the at least one exhaust fan are in each case monitored by sensors connected to the control unit. a) in which in the event of a cold start of the drying system a control unit sets an exhaust air volume to be discharged from the drying chamber by at least one exhaust fan to a first value suitable for a provided drying process, b) in which the control unit upon reaching this first value sets the exhaust air volume to be discharged from the drying chamber by at least one exhaust fan to a second value higher in comparison with its first value for a flushing time, c) in which after the expiration of the flushing time the control unit sets the exhaust air volume to be discharged from the drying chamber by the at least one exhaust fan back to the first value, d) in which the control unit upon reaching the first value again ignites a heating element heating the gas for the exhaust air volume to be discharged from the drying chamber by the at least one exhaust fan, e) in which an item to be dried laden with a solvent is supplied to the drying chamber of the drying system, wherein the item to be dried release its solvent load at least partially in the drying chamber during their drying, f) in which the item to be dried is dried in a direct contact with the flowing gas heated to a process temperature by a heating element during its run through the drying chamber, g) in which the control unit begins the run of the item to be dried through the drying chamber and hence the drying process, as soon as the gas heated by the heating element reaches its process temperature, h) in which the process temperature of the gas heated by the heating element and the exhaust air volume discharged from the drying chamber by the at least one exhaust fan are in each case monitored by sensors connected to the control unit.