The following specifications and features are recommended when selecting an optimum operating, hands-free cage dryer that produces cost-effective amounts of unheated drying air. The Salon Equipment Evaluation Standards (SEES) recommendations are as follows:

1. Since air volume is the key element to saving drying times without tying up valuable personnel, choose a cage unit that produces adequate amounts of air for the number of cages in the salon’s anticipated client volume.
   1. Small-to-medium salons =1,500-2,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM).
   1. Medium-to-large salons = 2,000-3,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM).
2. Choose cage dryers that are versatile, providing air to multiple cages that can be serviced using a single machine. Each unit should come equipped with a multi-cage hose delivery kit that is attachable to the dryer unit with flexible hoses that can be easily removed or attached to different cages.
3. Cage dryer flexible hoses should be 2-3 inches in diameter to ensure maximum airflow to individual cages and have metal cage hangers for long wear and durability.
4. The cage dryer should have easy access, easy clean filters to ensure unimpeded airflow.
5. Cage dryers should have easy access to squirrel cage compartments for periodic, fine hair buildup inspections.
6. Small and ultra-small hair particles while drying adhere to cage dryer fan blades causing imbalances and fan failures if not checked and cleaned. The cage dryer should have a speed control to regulate the rate of drying as well as reduced noise levels for more sensitive pet clientele.
7. Cage dryers should have an adjustable, multi-hour timer in order to allow personnel to check drying progress and the pets’ comfort and safety. This is doubly important as cage drying, especially on denser coats, requires there’s some remaining moisture present in order to move on to the finish dryer stage; finish drying and the process of prepping the coat for the final steps of scissoring, clipping, etc. requires a coat to contain a measure of dampness.
8. Select cage dryers that do not have added heat. Your selection should choose cage dryers that use only room temperature (ambient) air. Heated air contributes to animal dehydration and is especially dangerous to sickly or less robust pets whose condition may not be readily known to salon personnel.
9. Do not choose cage dryers with carbon brush motors since they add heat to the airflow and spew fine, black carbon dust into the air and create a less healthy salon environment. Induction motors are the best choice, producing carbon free, room temperature air only and are quieter while using less electricity. Beware of cage dryers that come equipped with a heat-added feature, since less-knowledgeable grooming personnel may make this all-too-tempting error of turning on heat on the wrong pet.
10. Choose cage dryers made of lighter weight polypropylene, polyethylene, or styrene materials as they are easier to clean and less prone to damage from impact.

Till Next Time,
The Professor