Since I got some helpful responses to my query about a basic, no frills dishwasher, I thought I'd ask you all if there are still basic, no frills electric dryers in big box stores in the United States? I'm reading how these new moisture sensors cause people grief by going off too soon. I'm just a single guy and don't need anything fancy. The challenge is that this dryer must fit in a space that's no bigger than 29." I would prefer it be no bigger than 27.5" so I don't have to take the door off. If a new smaller basic, no frills dryer doesn't exist, could you all give my some suggestions on a used white (don't want avocado green or almond) colored electric dyer from the last 25 years that I should look for in the used market?
Basic, No Frills Electric Dryer
- Thread starter SawaSun
- Start date
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Lowes has the Roper brand, made by Whirlpool, with the lint screen on the top right (not inside the drum). Home Depot has the Admiral brand, same machine. Both are inexpensive and the best machine out there. I think they only carry one model, but should do nicely.
Oops, didn't see that you had space constraints. These dryers are 29" wide, but the depth is less, so maybe you can get them in the doorway sideways?
Speed Queen!!!
For a no frills dryer, I'd go for a Speed Queen! It's only 26 7/8 inches wide and you can get just a few options or most of the comforts of a regular dryer. This machine does not use moisture sensing but rather thermostatic sensing which is what all lower end dryers use anyway. All of the models in this link starting with ADE are electric.
speedqueen.com
For a no frills dryer, I'd go for a Speed Queen! It's only 26 7/8 inches wide and you can get just a few options or most of the comforts of a regular dryer. This machine does not use moisture sensing but rather thermostatic sensing which is what all lower end dryers use anyway. All of the models in this link starting with ADE are electric.
All Products - Speed Queen
speedqueen.com
tecnopolis
Well-known member
I seriously recommend checking craigslist. You can find a sweet deal on gently used appliances. Might be able to find one from an appliance store that has been refurbished and has a warranty.
Good call
on the Craigslist idea. We bought my sister a good basic WP set off CL from a lady that was moving and couldn't take the set with her.
on the Craigslist idea. We bought my sister a good basic WP set off CL from a lady that was moving and couldn't take the set with her.
tecnopolis
Well-known member
I purchased a Neptune Dryer from craigslist and not only did the seller run it for me before I handed him the cash, but he even offered to install either a 3-prong or 4-prong cord depending on what I needed. Even threw in a dryer vent to get me started. Keep in mind, people remodel all the time and are only looking to replace their appliances to either take advantage of those 0% finance offers weather they needed them or not. Not to mention people sometimes are under the impression that an energy star appliance is going to save them a ton of money, not realizing that they have to keep the appliances for many, many years to recoup the additional upfront costs associated with the purchase. Add in the requisite sales tax on such a purchase, as well as the likely hood of an extended warranty, and you begin to see it is an uphill battle.
Finally, I found a Whirlpool Duet washer for sale on craigslist just because a new wife wanted it out of the house because it was purchased by the previous wife and she thought it would remind her new husband of her too much!
Finally, I found a Whirlpool Duet washer for sale on craigslist just because a new wife wanted it out of the house because it was purchased by the previous wife and she thought it would remind her new husband of her too much!
Dryers.
The dryers with the lint filter access on top by the control panel are all made by Whirlpool and are all 29" wide. These are the best dryers on the market that are easily obtainable. Buy a new one or an old one. They are top-notch performers, about as efficient as a dryer can be, and dead-reliable.
GE and Hotpoint dryers tend to eat front bearings and glide pads, while Frigidaire dryers tend to be smaller, hotter, and can wear through front glides and rear bearings. The heating elements on both are a bit of a pill to change.
LG and Samsung make the worst appliances money can buy.
I realize this may come off as preachy, but I work selling appliance parts all day to do-it-yourself folks and service professionals. I sell LOTS of dryer parts.
Whatever kind you get, keep the exhaust vent clean!
Dave
The dryers with the lint filter access on top by the control panel are all made by Whirlpool and are all 29" wide. These are the best dryers on the market that are easily obtainable. Buy a new one or an old one. They are top-notch performers, about as efficient as a dryer can be, and dead-reliable.
GE and Hotpoint dryers tend to eat front bearings and glide pads, while Frigidaire dryers tend to be smaller, hotter, and can wear through front glides and rear bearings. The heating elements on both are a bit of a pill to change.
LG and Samsung make the worst appliances money can buy.
I realize this may come off as preachy, but I work selling appliance parts all day to do-it-yourself folks and service professionals. I sell LOTS of dryer parts.
Whatever kind you get, keep the exhaust vent clean!
Dave
I looked at a simple no frills 6.5 cu ft Roper at Lowes in person and while it does get good reviews, I didn't like the location of the lint basket--on top of the machine vs in the door. This Hotpoint 6.0 cu ft for $369 caught my eye. Better dimensions and slightly more features than the Roper.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_153084-83-H...63154&Ntt=electric+dryer&Ns=p_product_price|0
It gets very good reviews. Do you all think this dryer will ever go on sale?
http://www.lowes.com/pd_153084-83-H...63154&Ntt=electric+dryer&Ns=p_product_price|0
It gets very good reviews. Do you all think this dryer will ever go on sale?
I have the Admiral washer and gas dryer from HD (scratch and dent aisle). The dryer is a very good performer. Not as wonderful as the old TOL Whirlpool but I was able to pay cash. As far as no frills I think the D.O.E. has required at least one moisture sensing cycle for several years now. Even if you purchase a used machine it will more than likely have some auto dry cycles. The standard for many years. Best of luck. alr
mark_wpduet
Well-known member
I actually perfer
the lint screen in the TOP vs the door. Those are the types of dryers we had growing up. The WP duet dryers' lint screen are in the door, not the top - so this is my first one in the door.
Can someone explain why a basic WP made dryer would be better than a basic GE dryer?
I don't ever remember having a mechanical issue with a dryer in my life (KNOCK ON WOOD)
the lint screen in the TOP vs the door. Those are the types of dryers we had growing up. The WP duet dryers' lint screen are in the door, not the top - so this is my first one in the door.
Can someone explain why a basic WP made dryer would be better than a basic GE dryer?
I don't ever remember having a mechanical issue with a dryer in my life (KNOCK ON WOOD)
WP versus GE
GE has a spindle sticking out the back of the drum for its main support, it gets worn and squeaks. At the front, GE uses 2 nylon glides, they wear out. Parts are inexpensive and easily replaced after 15 years. Whirlpool made machines, since the mid 60's, support the drum on the huge interior rear and front bulkheads, no wear, less squeaks, never need replaced. GE lint filter catches the dryer sheet, and fills up partway thru the load. WP top-mount filters have tons more space, get through the entire load. Most electric GE's have the element strung all around the rear bulkhead, WP has a simple heater box, easier to replace. GE drums are smaller, WP 29" cabinets have huge drums, more clothes per load, less wrinkles. Having said all that, GE nevertheless makes a reliable dryer, but WP's design at 29" wide, with the top mount filter, has been proven to just run forever, easy cheap repairs, huge loads of clothes. Either brand is available from no-frills up to lots of treats.
But as others have said, see what your local Craigslist has, used and under $100 always helps me make up my mind long before I'd walk into a big box store and spend $500.
GE has a spindle sticking out the back of the drum for its main support, it gets worn and squeaks. At the front, GE uses 2 nylon glides, they wear out. Parts are inexpensive and easily replaced after 15 years. Whirlpool made machines, since the mid 60's, support the drum on the huge interior rear and front bulkheads, no wear, less squeaks, never need replaced. GE lint filter catches the dryer sheet, and fills up partway thru the load. WP top-mount filters have tons more space, get through the entire load. Most electric GE's have the element strung all around the rear bulkhead, WP has a simple heater box, easier to replace. GE drums are smaller, WP 29" cabinets have huge drums, more clothes per load, less wrinkles. Having said all that, GE nevertheless makes a reliable dryer, but WP's design at 29" wide, with the top mount filter, has been proven to just run forever, easy cheap repairs, huge loads of clothes. Either brand is available from no-frills up to lots of treats.
But as others have said, see what your local Craigslist has, used and under $100 always helps me make up my mind long before I'd walk into a big box store and spend $500.
Best Basic Dryers
WP built 29" dryers or SQ dryers.
Dryers to avoid and not basic anyway.
Samsung, cheapest, thinnest dryer out there, loose change from pockets will actually leave dents in the dryer drum, LOL.
I have actually seen SS dryers where the thin SS drums split where the drum is supported by the rear support
rollers on several occasions.
LG and GE Harmony For many of the above reasons, all Korean appliances are very thin and cheap, it must have something to do with the cost of shipping large appliances here.
All GE dryers, they are not what they used to be, they work well [ if your vent is short ] but have very poor long term durability
I would estimate about 1/2 the life span of a WP or SQ dryer overall.
I would also avoid the cheaper dryers from Frigidaire for the same reasons as GEs dryers, poor with long vents and poor durability if used much.
WP built 29" dryers or SQ dryers.
Dryers to avoid and not basic anyway.
Samsung, cheapest, thinnest dryer out there, loose change from pockets will actually leave dents in the dryer drum, LOL.
I have actually seen SS dryers where the thin SS drums split where the drum is supported by the rear support
rollers on several occasions.
LG and GE Harmony For many of the above reasons, all Korean appliances are very thin and cheap, it must have something to do with the cost of shipping large appliances here.
All GE dryers, they are not what they used to be, they work well [ if your vent is short ] but have very poor long term durability
I would estimate about 1/2 the life span of a WP or SQ dryer overall.
I would also avoid the cheaper dryers from Frigidaire for the same reasons as GEs dryers, poor with long vents and poor durability if used much.
Lint screen on top vs. inside door
I much prefer the lint screen to be inside the dryer door. I've had the top-screen dryers and HATED them. Every time you remove the screen, the screen itself scatters lint and fuzz all over the top of the machine. I got so tired of having to have a wet paper towel in my hand when I cleaned the lint screen. After owning about 7 different dryers, this is a deal breaker for me. I won't even look at a top-screen dryer.
Agree with suggestions to look at Craigslist or used appliance stores.
I much prefer the lint screen to be inside the dryer door. I've had the top-screen dryers and HATED them. Every time you remove the screen, the screen itself scatters lint and fuzz all over the top of the machine. I got so tired of having to have a wet paper towel in my hand when I cleaned the lint screen. After owning about 7 different dryers, this is a deal breaker for me. I won't even look at a top-screen dryer.
Agree with suggestions to look at Craigslist or used appliance stores.
Top Mounted Lint Screens
Are by far the cleanest design, best way to clean them is when you start the dryer with a load of clothing, 1 remove the filter with the dryer running 2 holding the filter near the opening remove lint with fingers 3 while holding filter in one hand take wad of lint and wipe any lint that fell on dryer top and sweep it down the lint filter opening 4 disguard wad of lint in trash.
These WP built dryers with the top mounted lint filter is the only design that I have seen where you can easily clean the filter with the dryer acting as a vacuum system that eliminates almost all of the mess and airborne dust that you cannot easily avoid with any other filter design unless you keep a vacuum cleaner with a hose set up next to the dryer [ I have customers that actually do this for dryers without TMLF ]
Are by far the cleanest design, best way to clean them is when you start the dryer with a load of clothing, 1 remove the filter with the dryer running 2 holding the filter near the opening remove lint with fingers 3 while holding filter in one hand take wad of lint and wipe any lint that fell on dryer top and sweep it down the lint filter opening 4 disguard wad of lint in trash.
These WP built dryers with the top mounted lint filter is the only design that I have seen where you can easily clean the filter with the dryer acting as a vacuum system that eliminates almost all of the mess and airborne dust that you cannot easily avoid with any other filter design unless you keep a vacuum cleaner with a hose set up next to the dryer [ I have customers that actually do this for dryers without TMLF ]
