Discuss the different types of equipment needed for screen printing. Topics include manual screen printing presses, automatic presses, dryers, folding machines, starter kits and high end machines.
We are in the process of downsizing and replaced our VERY old gas dryer for an electric dryer. Actually the old dryer completely went out the day before our new dryer was delivered...what luck!! So we are in the process of setting up the new dryer.
Anyways...what are your thoughts (pros and cons) for the electric dryers vs the gas dryers.
Also..would appreciate input form members who have or have used electric dryers.
My dryer is electric. It is not new by any means. I truly cannot tell a difference in my electric bill since I got it. We start it the minute we hit the garage and don't shut it off until we're ready to walk out. I've heard gas is cheaper to run, but I have zero complaints here.
I've heard that gas is cheaper to run..but the new gas dryers are so expensive. We have been running the OLD very inefficient gas dryer for many years and in an OLD inefficient building for a few years..so our gas bills are out of control. Which we are currently changing both...so I may not experience the electric bill of and electric dryer crunch for awhile...since we will be reducing our overall gas bill substantially.
It will be a big change for all..but it will adjust.
Curious on the whole "scorching" with electric dryers? Is it that bad?
KNock on wood, when I got the dryer the guy who had been using it had marked where he set the temp and where he set the belt and I've never had an ounce of trouble with scorching anything. I mean I've tried to print some cardboard boxes that I think I could have or should have turned the temp down on the dryer or turned the belt up, but yet I still never had anything scorch. I'm sure you can do that, but I've been VERY fortunate.
I look back now and am soooo pleased that I bought a used dryer from someone that I know/knew that I could call and ask anything.
We run an electric dryer and that thing is running 9 hours a day and we have not noticed the differences in electric bills . . . this time last year we were consumption has been the same.
As far as the scorching is concerened we have scorched a few but not even enough to hurt profits. A lot of the time when I get scorch marks I just get some diluted hydrgen peroxide and water and spray it out with water . . the scorch fades out . . . you can tell the scorch is there but not as bad as the rust color when it came out of the dryer.
Gas dryers provide a more even heat. Gas dryers are good for waterbase and discharge because they evaporate moisture better than infrared. Gas dryers are color blind. Temperature is not affected by the height of the garment, whereas the closer the garment (or part of the garment) to the infrared panel, the hotter it gets, hence the issues with scorching. If I had natural gas in my building, I'd definitely have a gas dryer.
That said, electric dryers do their job and do it well. It may or may not be cheaper to run a gas dryer, the difference should not be too significant, but depends on where you live. Electricity in my area is $0.15 per Kw hour delivered. Most dryers are between 4 and 10 Kw, so roughly a dollar and some change per hour to run. If at all possible, look for one with forced/recirculating air. This will help with scorching as well as evaporating waterbase and discharge inks.
I have used electric dryers for years. When I first started, I had an ancient hulking beast with individual elements that went out regularly and was expensive to run. I now use a much smaller unit that is extremely cost efficient, and hasn't slowed us down at all. And since I purchased a temp gun a few years back, I haven't scorched a shirt since.
I've heard that gas dryers are more energy efficient... though I would have guseed that back when fuel prices were so high, the cost difference would have shifted to an electric's favor. But the cost difference in the unit alone would make up a lot of the difference anyway.
Personally, I'll stick with the electrics. I have no complaints.
Gas vs Electric Dryers 
