A fine-coal dewatering machine consisting of a conical rotating element with a vertical axis, built up of three rows of perforated stainless steel screen plates or stainless steel wedge or round-wire sections cut and rolled to conform to the surface of the cone. Wet feed is deposited by gravity into the top of the cone-shaped dryer onto a distributing disk that throws the material by centrifugal force onto the stepped screen or basket. The rapid circular movement of the basket forces the water through the screen, while the coal moves toward the bottom. Peripheral velocity and centrifugal force become greater for each particle, breaking down the surface tension of water film on each piece, increasing drying action directly in ratio to the cone circumference and peripheral speed. The most effective drying area is at the bottom of the cone just before the material is discharged from the machine.