Question for the Winter Warriors

[TAILSRWAGON]

Okay, So I am new to grooming in the snow. Moved up to Washington State from California (no snow ever unless I drove 4 hours)
I know all the tricks to keep the van warm and toasty so the water doesn't freeze. My question is: How do you warm up the HV dryer? I finish washing the dog in nice warm water and turn on the Arctic blast to get them dry.
Today the temp outside didn't get over 20 so it kills me to blow dry these guys with no heat.

[ferret]

Toasty...

Okay, So I am new to grooming in the snow. Moved up to Washington State from California (no snow ever unless I drove 4 hours)
I know all the tricks to keep the van warm and toasty so the water doesn't freeze. My question is: How do you warm up the HV dryer? I finish washing the dog in nice warm water and turn on the Arctic blast to get them dry.
Today the temp outside didn't get over 20 so it kills me to blow dry these guys with no heat.

I have that problem too. I just use a small human hair dryer to warm things up along with HVing the dog dry. Works like a champ. And makes my van warmer than the heating system itself in my van.

[Crystal]

I turn the HV on before the bath and then the motor running will warm the air. You can turn it on and then stabilize it some how so it's not flying all over the place. That's what I do and it works good.

[sheilabgroomer]

I am not mobile, but we do run our HV for a while to warm it up. It also helps to warm our tub room too.

[barknpurr]

Why not keep the ceramic heater on near the dryer until things warm up? That should give you a nice blast of warm air.

[diamienono]

I put it on the hose clamp on my table and let it run for a minute or 2 while I am toweling the dog and cleaning up the tub.

[Doug]

cold dryer

I have done the thing Lisa mentioned from day one.I let the dryer suck in hot air of the ceramic heater till it warms up then shut off the heater.The dryer and heater need to be where can reach them both.If it is really cold out or it's a dog that will produce a lot of moisture in the van I start out with the vent part way open and when the dryer gets warmed up I push the heater to the side with my foot and let it continue to run while I am drying to keep warm.Getting the moisture out fast is the only way to keep the van from getting soaked and smelling bad.It also will keep the hair from sticking to the walls that would other wise stick the moisture collecting on the walls, windows as well.Faster the better as long as the dog is safe and not freaked out.Then close the vent so it just slightly cracked open while finishing the trim so a little more dampness can escape but not so much that the heater will have to work hard to keep the inside warm.
Eventually you just get used to doing it and then it is not so difficult sounding.

[puppyluv]

I do exactly what Barknpurr suggested. It does take the edge off, and helps to dry the dog faster. I am in PA

[bow_wow_wheels]

I let my dryer run while I'm toweling the pet I just bathed. I've also used a small human hair dryer to heat up the air going into the HV so I get some warm air.

[azoci]

warm and toasty?

Hi, I think we all have to find out what works for us. My rig, has a great little feature, it has a heater vent (from the engine) that is in the back. I have my Kool dry close to the out flow so it is actually picking up warmer air for it's intake. Each rig is going to be just a little different. I'm also setting the dog down infront of the vent while HV'ing. This has really stepped thing up for speed.

Since I do so many fluffies, I am also using a Stand dryer (yep I found a spot for it Patty). I did some playing around with it, and found out that my inverter read more energy is pulling from the hand held heat dryer than from my big stand dryer. So, If my hand-held dryer is pulling more, well, heck, I'll use the stand dryer.

I find that I get my windows fogging up with the bath (hot water) more so then during the drying phase. I also keep the de-frost going pulling in more air to the rig (well, for sure won't work in a trailer) but if you have a van or truck or like me a RV, it works super. I have just one out-flow vent, but it sometimes gets a work out too. I have 2 small fans that I runn too. Just have to keep that air moving.

www.pamsbubblemobile.com (lots of photos of the rig)

[louie]

i do the ceramic heater thing works good and on those really cold-- below zero days, I run my van's engine heater and get the van really hot. by the time iI am finshed prepping and bathing, I am able to HV them with hot air and turn off the engine.
I have an Ultimate van so the front cab is only separated by a heavy curtain which I can move away to allow the extra heat in.
I wear a t shirt all winter while grooming; this gives the client a great sese of comfort knowing that their doggie is all toasty in the van.