Question for toymakers

[Sweet Louise]

I make bird toys for my Louise, friends' birds, and local rescues. There is one area that I haven't found an efficient means: drying the blocks after dyeing them. I purchase bulk from Avian Antics, so I am dying pounds of blocks/slats at a time. What equipment do folks use for drying. last time, I used newspaper covered by paper towels and ended up with unevenly colored wood and a mess on the countertop itself. I have been doing small batches-but this leave a mess for days...
Is there a rack system folks use? Other ideas? I have seven grocery bags ready for the dye stage but no efficient idea on drying them.
Thank you for any suggestions.

 

[Emma&pico]

@Mizzely @Macawnutz

 

[Shezbug]

Cake cooling trays work a treat.

 

[Mizzely]

I put mine onto some reusable paper towels type cloths on top of baking sheets. If using paper towels etc I've found that if you use really high quality, absorbent paper towel it will leech a lot of the dye as it's drying. The type of dye and how you're doing it definitely matters. (Food coloring vs gel color, alcohol vs water etc)

But, even my blocks have some sides that have uneven color at times. The birds don't care!

I don't use baking racks anymore simply because it's been easier for us to clean up without them.

A fan and/or dehumidifier set up in the drying room also helps get the blocks dried faster to ensure they don't lose as much color.

@Jan has a whole guide:

Coloring Wood for Bird Toys

Another guide I have used before that gave good results:

Food Coloring Wilton's UPATED DIRECTIONS

I know everyone has been asking lots of questions about dye wood with food coloring and especially Wilton's. I have updated directions for Wilton's andam sorry if anyone has tried to already mix theirs with poor results. These are the corrected directions: For all colors EXCEPT Sky Blue...

forums.avianavenue.com

 

[Sweet Louise]

cool, thank you, good ideas. I ordered some cooling racks.

 

[calibird]

I use these with newspaper underneath them. Robot or human?
I am sure there are cheaper options but just wanted to give you an idea.

 

[Sweet Louise]

I use these with newspaper underneath them. Robot or human?
I am sure there are cheaper options but just wanted to give you an idea.

those are cool!

 

[rocky'smom]

When I have colored popsicle sticks I lay them on clean oven racks with paper towels on the bottom rack to catch the drips. I put note on the oven door "DO NOT USE UNTIL STICKS ARE DRY!!!!!" just remind myself not to turn on the oven. I turn the sticks every 6 hours to ensure drying of both sides. it works well.