Phil's Boot Dryer
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How to make an effective boot dryer using an Apex stove (any stove with an adjustable flame) and parts from the Outback Oven baking set. The set-up below was used to dry a soaked pair of Merrell leather/canvas boots in three hours:
  • Fire up the stove and put on the lowest setting (Apex stoves have a very low simmer setting. Fuel consumption is minimal on the simmer setting.). Use the lower reflector and diffuser that comes with the Outback Oven to direct and concentrate the rising heat toward the sides and up into the boots. The rising heat goes up into the boot.
  • As in the sketch below, use the windshield from the outback oven to support the leg opening of the boots (up to three pairs). Pile up rocks to support the toe end of the boots. Make sure the boots are slightly tilted upward so the heat circulates nicely into the toe area.
  • Remove insoles from the boots (not shown) and lay on top of the windshield above the heat. They should support themselves fairly well. The insoles dry faster than the boots.
 
Disclaimer: Not responsible for any burned or melted boots. Also, boot dryer is untested on Gore-tex boots.

Since 9/11/99