Choosing your blaster and dryers – what’s best for you?
March 4th, 2021 in News & Blogs
As a professional dog groomer your choice of drying equipment is a top priority. Your blasters and dryers will save time and make your business more efficient as well as improving the quality of your finish. It all makes for happy customers, beautiful dogs and good business sense.
But the range of dryers on the market can be confusing both to newcomers and experienced groomers. There is no one-size-fits-all alternative in the grooming business. Your requirements will vary depending on your salon set-up and your regular customer base so here’s a few tips on what to look out for.
Do I need a separate blaster and dryer?
Your first decision in the drying equipment conundrum should be whether to invest in separate blasters and finishing dryers or go for a combination of both in one piece of kit.
This will very much depend on your budget and salon space but most groomers find a combination model is a good option as they are small and compact, taking up less room. It also avoids groomers having to move between different pieces of equipment during styling.
Salon space
Think about where your drying equipment will be used and stored in your salon. You may want to look at a blaster/dryer that can be wall mounted if space is at a premium or on a stand so that it can be moved around. Stand mounted dryers also give you the option of hands-free drying after blasting allowing you to use both hands for perfect styling.
A stand mounted blaster/dryer may be a good option if your business is out on the road rather than salon-based as it will be easier to move around. And mobile groomers should also think carefully about the weight of the equipment – hauling a heavy piece of kit from house to house is exhausting.
Hair speed, power and settings
Whether it’s a separate blaster and dryer or a combination you should aim to get the highest air speed and power you can within your budget. Getting rid of excess water as quickly as possible will shorten drying times and make it easier to spot any matting or knots in the coat for removal.
Make sure that combination blaster/dryers have separate heat settings for maximum versatility between rough drying and finishing so that you can achieve the perfect sheen and shape for any type of coat. Prescribed grooming functions may be easier to use than a complex set of variable settings.
Don’t forget to check that your new equipment includes a set of concentrator nozzles and a removable air filter. The nozzles will give you extra versatility and the air filter will need to be cleaned regularly as any blockage will affect the air flow. Finding a blaster/dryer with an easy to remove filter could save you a lot of salon time and needless frustration.
Noise
And finally, you should also think about the quietness of your new equipment. Many dogs are scared by the noise of the high velocity blaster. As a professional you already know how to minimise the stress for your doggy clients. But if you have a large proportion of customers with this issue, you may want to consider a dryer with a brushless motor and/or sound proofed casing.
The Mutneys team has over 25 years of experience in the pet grooming industry and we can help you choose the best drying kit to suit your business.
Our range includes the Mutneys Heated Blaster which combines blaster and dryer in a compact and powerful package; the stand mounted Mutneys Heater Dryer including a 2m flexible blasting hose and a dryer nose for stand drying; and the heavy duty Mutneys Heater Dexter Dog Dryer with a powerful 2800W double motor designed for professional all day use. All our blasters and dryers are fitted with UK motors and we carry a full stock of spare parts so that servicing and repairs can be carried out in-house for a quick turnaround.
Our team is always on hand to talk you through the different options and help you find the right product for your situation.