1972 Portable Kenmor Dryer

[amandaqt]

Hi All,
I had original posted this in thread named HELP?? I can't post anything to it because it has been archived.
I am going to be placing this item on craigs list and just wanted to give a heads up on here if that is allowed... sorry I am new to the site.
If anyone in the Middletown NJ area is interested please let me know.
Thanks again for the help

 

[brianl]

Paging MisterEric!

Didn't you need one like this for the bf? or yourself perhaps?

 

[cleanteamofny]

That is the dryer I grew up with but in avocado.
To start the dryer, the timer dial must be push in to the desired time.
If I remember, it was 3 cycles. Timed up to 80 minuets and air fluff and I forgot the third.

 

[mistereric]

Bobby already has a 110 version. Is that one gas or 220?

 

[yogitunes]

Which county are you in?.......Ultramatic may be interested......

 

[arbilab]

All the portables are "110". I even get away running mine in the same socket as the washer at the same time. The heater is 1450W, roughly equal to a hair dryer or space heater. 16A total according to the plate. Plus the washer's 9A should trip a 20A breaker but it doesn't, the 9A is a shortterm peak like spin start.

Some had a push knob some had a start button. My 83 has 3 cycles. Cotton, air, and permapress with a longer cooldown and "wrinkle guard I" which I think is timed intermittent tumble. Average mixed load takes 40 min but that's not "as full as it can get". It's also going on 30 years without service and works like new, nothing today will do that.

 

[macboy91si]

Portable Voltage

Arbilab, the portables came in 240v and gas. Also WG1 is only a 30 minute tumble with no heat on PP cycle, a cool down essentially. I have the exact model as you do it appears, mine is an 81. This little dryer a stylish older model but oddly there was not yet a true matching washer to it yet. This would have been mated to the shortened 24" full-size BD portable I believe. It was however this cabinet that the redesign of the portable was based on, which was a much better pairing thanks to it's ~850rpm spin.

-Tim

 

[combo52]

24" WP built dryers

They still build the exact same dryer today except build Quality on new appliances is several times better today than it was 30 years ago, so your chances are very good that if you buy this dryer today it could be going strong in 30 years.

 

[arbilab]

"Portable gas" raises questions, like what is a competent make/break (casual) gas connection? I thought those were outlawed in the 50s over safety. But I'll take your word they exist. When I called Sears to inquire in 1983, they did not offer me a 240V version but I didn't ask for one either as the house wasn't wired for 240.

Far as build quality, I won't be around in 30 more years to see if this model built today has lasted. But the concensus seems that the old 10-20yr nominal lifespan was preferable to the 5-7yr lifespan today.

 

[amandaqt]

It is an electric dryer and I am located in Monmouth County NJ

 

[appliguy]

er to clear up some confusion...

I think Sears only considered the 120v version of this dryer as being "portable". The 240v and gas versions were not considered portable as they had to be permanently installed because of the 240v line or the gas line. When my brother bought his condo in Reston he had a gas version of this dryer from the late 1980s and I thought the neat thing about it was the fact that the dryer had a little plastic cover on the front that  was the access panel to the gas burner......It kinda reminded me of the access door on a gas Maytag dryer .....PAT COFFEY

 

[yogitunes]

Thanks for the location

what kinda price are we looking at here?

 

[macboy91si]

Portability

I think only the gas version I'd have to consider as not portable. I don't see much difference in the 240v or the 120v in terms of portability standards, you still have to connect them to a vent or what have you, just with the 240v you were a bit more limited as to where you could connect it. I wonder if the 240v version came standard with wheels?

 

-Tim

 

[combo52]

PORTABLE 24" WP BUILT DRYERS

Only the 120 volt models came with wheels, but you could install them on any version. You can buy a flexible hose for natural gas with a quick connect cuppler so the gas version could become portable. [ these gas connectors are only approved for outdoor use ] So it would make the perfect porch or patio dryer.

 

[amandaqt]

I am not to sure on the price as I don't know what they go for. I was hoping to get some money for it we did just buy a house and have a lot of repairs taht need to be done. The washer in the picture is available also if any one is interested.

 

[mistereric]

It took me 2 years and a lot of CL postings to sell a relatively modern 110v version of this machine. Eventually it went for $25. Surprising when they sell for $400 new.

 

[alr2903]

I always say, if you work in polo shirts business casual you should have one of these or especially the Tag portadryer,  they dry at the correct temp.  No need to wait till you have a dozen dirty shirts.  The tumbling is perfect for  smaller loads.    The Maytag is kind of annoying with jeans or towels. alr

 

[macboy91si]

Maytag Porta-Dryer

The Maytag needs a deeper drum, I think the WP/KM dryers are the best portable you can have IMO. I like the Maytag and the others I have but the WP/KM is more practical and useful hands down.

 

-Tim

 

[yogitunes]

so would 50.00 be too far out of reason for this dryer?

 

[combo52]

240 VOLT KM PORTABLE DRYER

We just pulled this exact same dryer in yesterday in white and 240 volts in good working condition if anyone wants it get in touch or it will be parted out and scrapped. It was pulled because the WP WW that was with it died and we replaced the whole thing with a 24" 240 Volt DD TT.

 

[mistereric]

John, I might be interested in that machine.   Sent you an email.