Passive Glove/boot Dryer

Intro: Passive Glove/boot Dryer

I live on the West Coast in British Columbia and in the winter it rains a lot. Since I cycle to and from work every day, my woork boots and gloves can get pretty wet. I went online (and here) to find out how to make a boot dryer but most of them used a computer fan or hair dryer to work. Since the old way was just to put the boots and gloves over the furnace vent I thought that I could combine that with what I saw here.

STEP 1: Materials

I had a large plastic food container that I had bought from a dollar store. It is large enough to fit over the furnace vent. As well, a piece of wood is needed to fit inside of the container and some sort of plastic pipe. The pipe I used is one inch ABS water line that I had laying around. A few screws, some tools, and that's all. My cost for this was less than two dollars.

STEP 2: Starting

The pipe was cut into one foot lengths. I just chose that length because I wanted to. It can be longer or shorter but make sure that it is long enough to hang boots on. The wood was cut to fit inside the plastic container and four holes were drilled where the pipes would go. The holes are a snug fit for the pipes. I had originally used a hole saw to drill the holes but then ran into trouble. Then I used a spade bit and wood file to make the holes the right size. On yes, the location of the holes was spaced far enough apart so the boots and gloves would fit.

STEP 3: Mounting the Pipe

Once the pipes were inserted, I ran some screws throught the side of the wood and into the pipes to hold the pipes from falling out. The pipes were also notched on top to allow the air to flow more easily. You could also drill air holes in the sides of the pipe near the top as well.

STEP 4: Assembled

Here is the unit assembled. Holes were drilled in the plastic container to allow the pipes to pass through. For the location of the holes, I had marked the plastic with the large piece of wood as a template before the pipes went into it. As well a small piece of wood was placed between the pipes and screwed into the inside wood piece to hold everything together.

STEP 5: Working

This is a picture of the completed unit over a furnace vent. I've used this and it works. I hope that if you make one it will work you you too. Good luck!

Comments

[Carljbryan]

THANK YOU! Best idea available, great instructions! I really appreciate your expert idea and detail. Its late that i found this but very helpful. I made my version with 1” pex, more posts, varied heights and angles for gloves and boots, heavier for ski boots, and a handle. I added 4 screws, caulk and a plastic box that held screws. Im making another for ceiling vents. I would also consider a metal box, hanging unit above a woodstove to harness the heat rising.
Again, thanks for posting an alternative to the units for sale.

[seamster]

This is a great idea! I need to make something just like this. Thanks for the idea! :)

[keokg2]

I just thought it would be easier to make and using the hot air from the furnace might help. I've used it already and it does work. Of course your mileage may vary.

[Tsanabe]

A really great idea. I like the fact that it uses existing heat sources. It is also nice that you cycle to work...cleaner air and a healthier you!

[keets]

It looks like a smart idea, but I don't know what a 'furnace vent' is.

It's something in the floor?

[keokg2]

Yes. It is the vent in the floor where the hot air from the furnace comes out. If the hot air from the furnace comes out of a vent on the wall, then this dryer won't work unless you can figure out a way to hang it on the wall.

[keokg2]

Yes. It is the vent in the floor where the hot air from the furnace comes out. If the hot air from the furnace comes out of a vent on the wall, then this dryer won't work unless you can figure out a way to hang it on the wall.