1957 Frigidaire Control Tower Dryer Repairs

[filterflo]

Hey Rick, thanks for the posting. Yes, I love the Frigidaire dryer and I know there is a mate out there somewhere for it, just a matter of finding it. I remember when you did that Whirlpool dryer, boy they sure do collect lint fast! Its kind of scary to open one of those up and see that linty mess in there. Just think how many people never inspect their dryers.........just plain scary!

 

[filterflo]

PS Rick, have you used the Radar range coffee maker yet?

 

[frigilux]

Thanks for all the pics, Jimmy. I can't believe how much lint builds up inside a dryer. No wonder there are fires. Makes me want to open mine up and make an inspection. The '57 is a gorgeous machine, no doubt. Another classic saved!

 

[filterflo]

Yes Lint is a big problem with dryers and seems to be getting worse. Fabric softener and fabric softener sheets are the biggest culprits as far as lint build up is concerned. They create an oily waxy film residue with each successive load that lint sticks to, layer upon layer. Newer dryers with more plastic parts only compound the problem. Have other club members ever noticed this problem with fabric softener too? Be nice to hear others opinions on it.......I know I use it, but very sparingly............

 

[frigilux]

I use Downy in every wash load, but only about 1/4 to 1/3 the recommended dose. I have very soft water and it helps break down the remaining suds in the final rinse (FL'er).

I haven't noticed any build-up on the dryer's lint screen (there was a thread about that on the forum quite awhile ago). But who knows what could be building up elsewhere inside the dryer.

 

[angus]

Jimmy - I don't personally use any fabric softeners, but some years ago, we gave our old GE dryer to a neighbor's son and wife who were just setting up house. At the time it was only about 7 years old, but we had just replaced our washer and now that the laundry was on the main level wanted the washer and dryer to match.

Anyway, never thought much about it until 2 summers ago. We were visiting them one Saturday. They had just recently purchased a new washer and were complaining about how long it took to dry clothes and how hot the top of the dryer was getting during the cycle.

Being me, I hightailed it to the basement and saw in about 2 seconds what the problem was. The outside vent for the dryer was behind the washer and the installers managed to smash the flexible foil tubing (BAD! BAD!! Choice) against the wall, so there was no air flow.

To compound the problem, our friend mentioned how much he loved soft clothes so he believed in overdosing on liquid softener and using 2 dryer sheets in each load.

So I went to town and cleaned the entire unit. There was an incredible greasy waxy coating on the lint screen that literally plugged almost all the holes. Had to scrub with a wire brush. Eventually got the whole thing cleaned up and running smoothly again, but never forgot the mess that softener overuse caused. So now I go and clean out the dryer every year and that now 20 year old GE dryer is still kicking....

 

[rickr]

Hi Jimmy,
Have not used the Radarange coffee maker just yet. It's so MIB that I want to be sure an appliance nut is here with me when it is used for the first time. Then we will take photos to share.

 

[stainfighter]

cleaning/washing the dryer screen...

I think it was either Sudsmaster and Toggle that suggested (in Super section)I do that w/ our modern Frig. I was thinking of re-routing our vent (and still am) but was AMAZED how fast this little 5.8cu Westinghouse design dryer is now drying! Always do clean the screen out but never thought to actually wash and air dry it. Used Dawn and it is like night and day from last washday! Everything needs a good cleaning now and then, huh?

 

[frigilux]

I knew I had one more question: Jimmy, I've read in several posts that people love the fluffiness of loads dried in a Filtrator. What is that all about?

 

[filterflo]

Im really not sure why they are so fluffy! I guess because of the lower airflow and somewhat higher dryer temps than in other dryers. All in all, its one of the magical mysteries of a Filtrator! Actually, I think its beacuse the clothes get a kind of "steam bath" not found in other dryers and that makes the fibers fluff out more. Again, maybe others can help enlighten us as to this phenomenon.......

 

[gansky1]

A steam bath...

precisely! The Filtrator dryer is, but for less than a dozen 1/4" holes in the cabinet, a closed system so with the higher operating temps, the water is quite literally "boiled" out of the fabrics being dried. The Filtrator does a great job getting the water to evaporate into steam, but it is rather slow to remove the moisture from the dryer. The air-cooled aluminum tube system at the bottom of the drum creates a natural convection for the heated, moist air. As the moist air is drawn down to the cool tubes, the moisture condenses in the tubes and drips into the water tray directly below the tube-unit. It's important to maintain the Filtrator dryer as a heavy coating of lint inside the cabinet holds moisture and slows the already-a-little-slow convection process. After about 15 minutes on high-temp, don't stand over the opening door or you could get a painful red face from the steam that pours out. This is my all-time favorite towel drying method, that steamy drying seems to revitalize towels and most cottons into their most puffy-softness. Very little or no fabric softener is even required with this moist drying climate, I don't think I've ever noticed any static electricity.

 

[super32]

Sofener nut

I love the smell of towels and sheets with lots of downy. However i've learned what too much can do. I usally use about 1/2 cap for most loads. I use a little more for sheets and towels. I cut back on towels because as sudsmaster pointed out once upon a time, too much sofener and build up can not only begin to stink but it can cause towels to not absorb as well as they should. I also have tried putting it in at different points in the rinse cycle. I have found using the bleach dispenser (since I rarly use bleach anyway) will dispense in the first rinse. Items dont seem to be as soft and fragrent but I dont have any residue either. Seems to be a happy medium. I never use sofener on loads of cleaning rags or towels.