Auckland's Humidity Problem
New Zealand, and Auckland in particular, has some of the highest relative humidity levels in the developed world. Year-round, the average sits between 78% and 89%, with winter months peaking at 89%. For 3D printing, this is a serious challenge.
Average Relative Humidity in Auckland
What Happens When Filament Gets Wet?
All common 3D printing filaments are hygroscopic — they absorb moisture from the air. Even filament stored in a sealed bag will absorb moisture once opened. Here's what wet filament does to your prints:
Stringing and Oozing
Moisture turns to steam in the hot end, causing filament to ooze and leave fine strings between printed features.
Poor Layer Adhesion
Steam bubbles disrupt the bond between layers, creating weak spots that can crack or delaminate under stress.
Weak, Brittle Parts
Microscopic voids from steam reduce the overall strength of your print, making functional parts unreliable.
Surface Defects and Bubbling
You'll see bubbles, pitting, and rough surface finishes on what should be smooth surfaces. Post-processing can't fully fix this.
Recommended Drying Settings by Material
Each material has different moisture tolerance and requires specific drying temperatures. Using the wrong temperature can damage your filament — too hot and PLA will fuse together on the spool.
| Material | Temperature | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | 50C | 4 hours |
| PETG | 65C | 4 hours |
| TPU | 55C | 6 hours |
| ABS | 80C | 4 hours |
| Nylon | 70C | 8 hours |
The Best Value Filament Dryer in NZ
We believe every Kiwi maker deserves a filament dryer — not just those who can afford $100+ for one. That's why we offer ours at just $49.99 NZD, well below any other option available in New Zealand.
| Product | Price (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Competitor A | $165 |
| Competitor B | $129 |
| Competitor C | $85 |
| 3DGo Filament Dryer Best Value | $49.99 |
Ready to Protect Your Filament?
Don't let NZ's humidity ruin your prints. Our filament dryer pays for itself after just a few saved rolls of filament.