{{Short description|Machine that dries shoes}}A '''shoe dryer''' or '''boot dryer''' is a machine used for drying shoes, and usually functions by blowing air on the inside of the shoes. The [[airflow]] causes the shoes to dry faster. The air can be heated for even faster drying, and these are the most common types.<ref>[https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-boot-dryer/ The Best Boot Dryers for Damp Footwear - Bob Vila]</ref> Shoe dryers can be especially useful for people who frequently have wet shoes, such as families with small children or for those who often hike outdoors, or for [[ski boot]]s which are typically moist after use. Many shoes dryers have a timer which shuts off the dryer after awhile.<ref>[https://dinside.dagbladet.no/bolig/test-av-skotorkere/71716108 Best i test 2019 - Test av skotørkere]</ref> There are also shoe dryers which instead use a [[Grate heater|heated grate]] that the shoes are placed on top of, and also do not blow air.
== Noise == Many fan-driven shoe dryers emit bothersome noise during use.<ref name="klikk-1"/> In a test from 2019, the most silent model was measured at 45 [[decibel]] (dB),<ref name=":0" /> while the other models were measured at 50 and 57 dB. In 2022, another model was measured at 56 dB in "tornado" mode and 29 dB in "whisper" mode,<ref name=":1" /> and in 2023, a different variant of the same dryer was measured at 72 dB.<ref name=":2" /> It was also stated that the higher pitch of those models noise could contribute to it being perceived as more intense and bothersome.<ref name=":2" />
== Air flow == The [[volumetric flow rate]], i.e. the amount of air that is moved, is an important measure of fan-based shoe dryers. For example, a model tested in 2023 was said to have a volume flow of 12 [[cubic meters]] per hour (m³/h), which corresponds to 12 000 liters per hour or just over 3 liters of air per second.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2023-09-24|language=no|title=Skotørker test 🧪 Hvem stikker av med seieren?|url=https://www.forbrukertest.no/skot%C3%B8rker/|work=www.forbrukertest.no}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
== Heated air == Shoe dryers with a fan often emit slightly tepid or warm air. In a test from 2019, one of the models was rated at a power of 350 [[watt]],<ref name=":0">{{cite web|access-date=2023-09-24|date=2021-01-23|quote=Beha SKO 300T (45 dB, 300 W) rated 5/6, Biltema Art. Nr. 84-149 (50 dB, 350 W, 320+30 W), Adax Neo (50 dB, 220 W) rated 5/6, Clas Ohlson SD-018 (57 dB, 265 W, 40 or 55 °C) rated 5/6.|title=Best i test 2019 - Test av skotørkere|url=https://dinside.dagbladet.no/bolig/test-av-skotorkere/71716108|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123233747/https://dinside.dagbladet.no/bolig/test-av-skotorkere/71716108 |archive-date=2021-01-23 }}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> of which 30 W was utilized as fan power and the remaining around 320 W were used for heating. Another model in the test had two temperature settings for choosing between 40 °C and 55 °C air temperature.<ref name=":0" /> A model tested in 2023 had settings for blowing air at room temperature, or heated air at 37, 45 or 60 degrees Celsius.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|access-date=2023-09-24|date=2022-09-06|first=Knut Johan|language=nb-NO|surname=Ruud|title=Skotørker|url=https://jaktogfiske.njff.no/sko-skotorker/skotorker/131693|work=jaktogfiske.njff.no}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web|access-date=2023-09-24|date=2023-03-04|language=no|title=Hedgehog Dryer Family - Test|url=https://www.tek.no/test/i/y6x9ng/en-rask-maate-aa-holde-barna-toerre-paa-bein-og-hender|work=Tek.no}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
Not all shoes can withstand heated drying.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|access-date=2023-09-24|date=2021-01-21|title=Dette bør du vite om skotørking|url=https://dinside.dagbladet.no/bolig/dette-bor-du-vite-om-skotorking/61019280|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121051147/https://dinside.dagbladet.no/bolig/dette-bor-du-vite-om-skotorking/61019280 |archive-date=2021-01-21 }}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> Using high heat can put wear on shoes made of certain materials. For example, the use of a tumble dryer, heating cables or [[Drying cabinet|heating cabinet]] can lead to leather shoes cracking.<ref name=":3" />
== Fire hazard == Shoe dryers with heating can be a fire hazard if left on for too long, as with any heating appliance, and should therefore be used under supervision.<ref name="klikk-1">[https://www.klikk.no/foreldre/barn/tester-og-barneutstyr/test-av-skotorker-3686556 Test av skotørker - Tester og barneutstyr]</ref>
== See also == * [[Dehumidifier]] * [[Drying cabinet]] * [[Drying room]]
== References == <references />
[[Category:Home appliances]]
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