Heat creep is one of the most frustrating issues plaguing 3D printer users who work with high-temperature filaments like PETG—especially owners of Bambu Lab X1 Carbon and P1S printers, which are otherwise known for reliable extrusion. This insidious problem softens filament in the Bowden tube, leading to jams, inconsistent extrusion, and ruined prints. The Call3D Cooldry Pro (powered by Martillo) aims to be the ultimate fix for Heat Creep, a $199.99 standalone extruder cooler that pumps cooled air directly to the extruder’s hobbed gears. I tested this upgrade to see if it truly eliminates Heat Creep—and whether it’s worth the investment for Bambu Lab users battling this issue.
A quick safety note: While the Call3D Cooldry Pro installation avoids mains voltage wiring, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent damage to your printer’s extrusion system when addressing Heat Creep. If you’re ready to try the Call3D Cooldry Pro for yourself, you can purchase it directly from the official store via this link:
Michael Cohen
Michael Cohen, known as "The Tech Rabbi", is the driving force behind the YouTube channel Teaching Tech. A former designer and technologist turned educator, he holds certifications as an Apple Distinguished Educator and Google Certified Trainer.Through Teaching Tech, Cohen shares practical strategies for integrating digital tools into classrooms, helping educators and students build creative confidence and problem-solving skills. He is also the author of Educated by Design and a frequent speaker at global edtech events like ISTE and SXSW EDU.
What Is the Call3D Cooldry Pro? A Targeted Solution for Heat Creep
The Call3D Cooldry Pro (Powered by Martillo Tech)is a purpose-built active cooling system designed specifically to combat Heat Creep in 3D printer extruders. Unlike passive cooling methods (e.g., upgraded fans or heat sinks) that only mitigate mild Heat Creep, this self-contained unit actively circulates chilled air to the extruder’s most heat-sensitive components, stopping filament softening and jams before they start—even during long high-temperature prints. Key features that make it effective against Heat Creep include:
- A built-in condensate filter that traps moisture from cooled air (critical for preventing corrosion that can worsen jams).
- Universal compatibility with Bambu Lab X1/P1S and other printers.
- A bleed connector that diverts excess cool air away from the AMS, avoiding unintended filament cooling that could mask Heat Creep symptoms or cause new feeding issues.
- A compact tabletop design that connects via flexible tubing, requiring no permanent printer modifications (ideal for users who want to fix Heat Creep without altering their machine’s frame or firmware).
The kit includes everything needed to address Heat Creep: the Cooldry Pro unit, power brick, precision PTFE tubes, cable ties, couplers, and a detailed manual—no extra parts required for installation. For those interested in purchasing the kit to resolve their Heat Creep woes.
Testing the Call3D Cooldry Pro: No Heat Creep to Fix (Yet)
The Call3D Cooldry Pro is engineered to eliminate Heat Creep, but my Bambu Lab X1 Carbon has few experienced this issue—even during marathon PETG prints. To create a worst-case scenario for Heat Creep, I designed a test print that pushes the extruder to its limits:
- Filament combo: PETG (main part) with a PLA support interface layer, requiring 61 temperature shifts (240°C for PETG, 190°C for PLA)—a cycle that can exacerbate Heat Creep in vulnerable printers.
- Print details: 3.5-hour print with no bed adhesion aids, focusing solely on extrusion performance.
Cooler Performance for Heat Creep Prevention
First, I tested the Call3D Cooldry Pro’s ability to cool the extruder and prevent Heat Creep:
• Ambient temp: 21°C
Cooler output temp: 18–19°C after 30 minutes (a 2–3°C drop that targets the extruder’s hobbed gears to stop Heat Creep).
Condensate filtration: The filter trapped all moisture bubbles during printing, preventing water damage that could lead to jams.
Noise level: 50 decibels—quiet enough to run while addressing Heat Creep without added distraction.
Print Results: No Signs of Heat Creep (With or Without the Cooler)
I printed the test part twice: once with the Call3D Cooldry Pro off, and once with it running to combat Heat Creep. The result? Zero visible difference between the two prints—both had clean extrusion, no layer gaps, and no signs of Heat Creep or jamming.
This isn’t a failure of the Call3D Cooldry Pro; it simply means my X1 Carbon had no Heat Creep to fix. For context, I’ve tested the Creality K2 Plus—a printer notorious for severe Heat Creep with PETG—and that machine would have seen dramatic improvements with the Call3D Cooldry Pro.
The unit delivers cooled air directly to the extruder’s gears, which should stop Heat Creep in printers that suffer from it—it just didn’t have a chance to prove itself on my trouble-free Bambu Lab machine. If you own a printer like the K2 Plus that struggles with Heat Creep, the Call3D Cooldry Pro is worth considering, and you can check the latest pricing and availability here:
The Call3D Cooldry Pro is a well-made, effective solution for Heat Creep—but only for users who actually face this issue. For printers plagued by Heat Creep, it’s a game-changer that will eliminate jams and boost print consistency with high-temperature filaments. For most Bambu Lab owners with no that problems, however, the price tag makes it an unnecessary expense.
Installation: Easy Setup to Fight Heat Creep
One of the biggest advantages of the Call3D Cooldry Pro is its user-friendly installation, which takes under 20 minutes and requires no advanced technical skills (a huge plus for users new to fixing Heat Creep). Here’s how to set it up to combat Heat Creep:
- Prepare the tubing: Cut the PTFE tube between the AMS output and buffer (the flexible link to the print head)—the primary area where Heat Creep begins to affect filament.
- Install the bleed connector: Slide the included bleed connector into the cut tube to release excess cool air, ensuring it doesn’t enter the AMS and interfere with filament storage (a common mistake that can make Heat Creep harder to diagnose).
- Fit the Y-splitter: Replace the standard PTFE tube with the kit’s larger-diameter version, then attach the Y-splitter to merge the cooler’s air line with the filament path—directing cooled air straight to the extruder to stop Heat Creep.
- Connect the cooler: Run silicone tubing from the Call3D Cooldry Pro to the Y-splitter, then plug in the power brick. The unit is now ready to fight Heat Creep.
The manual includes image-guided steps for each stage, and labeled components make it easy to avoid errors—even for beginners tackling Heat Creep for the first time. If you encounter any issues during setup, the product’s support page (linked on the purchase site) offers additional troubleshooting tips for Heat Creep-related installation questions.
Final Thoughts: A Powerful Fix for Heat Creep (If You Need It)
✅ Buy It If You Battle Heat Creep:
Your Printer I think Raise3D E2 or Creatlity K2 experiences Heat Creep with PETG, ABS, or high-temperature filaments.
You print for hours with hot materials and want to eliminate Heat Creep-related jams for good.
You want an active cooling solution for Heat Creep that requires no firmware or permanent printer mods.
❌ Skip It If Heat Creep Isn’t a Problem:
Your printer has never had Heat Creep (like my X1 Carbon)—the cooler will offer no benefit.
You only print PLA/TPU (low-temperature filaments that rarely cause Heat Creep).
You’re on a budget: Passive cooling (upgraded fans/heat sinks) can fix mild Heat Creep for far less than $199.99.
