What you should look for in a dryer

Our experts can help you find the right dryer to meet your crew’s needs

  • The dryer needs to be electrically inspected and approved by either UL or CSA. Just having the components marked as such will not suffice. The dryer must be electrically approved as a system to ensure its safe operation.

  • If the dryer is equipped with a heating element that the heating element only warm the air 10 to 15 degrees above outside air temperature. Hot air drying can damage high performance materials, fabrics and in the case of gloves and work boots/shoes, the leather.

  • The dryer should have a mechanism to shut off the warming element, using only ambient air to dry. This is important from an energy management standpoint (conservation) and ensures the safe operation of the dryer at higher ambient air temperatures when used in non air-conditioned locations

  • The dryer should use a non mechanical means of forced air drying. Tumble drying boots or gloves ruins the apparel. In the case of the fire service, tumble drying gear, including coat and pants, can harm the gear.

  • The boot dryer should dry from the toe backwards. Williams chooses this unique way to dry as our experience has shown that drying from the heel and putting all the hanging pressure on that point can damage the material in the back of the boot. More importantly, if hotter air is used applying hot air to one point in the footbed can damage the boot.

  • The dryer should be able to be used on items that are not completely clean. The dryer need have a powder coated finish that is highly resistant to stain and can be wiped. Having to wash boots or gloves first just so the dryer stays clean is not a reasonable task.