Buying a used Dryer. GE (FriGEaire) or Admiral (Whirlpool)

[hidingoutonhere]

Peeps,

My varied and wide travels across the internet have brought me across this site, as well as The GardenWeb Home Forums, many a times. Now, having closed on my first home today, I'm in a position to do things like...buy my own appliances. Hurrah!

I've already secured a gently used Fisher & Paykel Ecosmart. Pretty happy about that. I just need a dryer to go with it. I think I have it narrowed to two...based on budget, the fact that my life will be a lot simpler if I pick up the washer and dryer at the same place, and the fact that dryers are not nearly as complicated as washers.

So my choices are an Admiral dryer that I'm pretty sure is Whirlpool. No frills model (2 cycles, cycle linked to temperature, lint trap up top...just like the Whirlpool I have here in my rental, and every other old Whirpool)...or a GE Profile that I've determined to actually be a FriGEaire. I'm leaning towards the FriGEaire simply because there are more choices for temp/cycle selection, but you could talk me out of it. I don't have a photo of the Admiral, but here are two of the FriGEaire.

 

[hidingoutonhere]

I guess I can only do one upload per post, so here's the other photo.

 

[appnut]

those Frigidaire dryers have a tendency to run hot.  If you get it, I wouldn't use it higher than medium heat and thats for sheets & towels.  Other clothing low heat.  Personally, I'd vote for the Admiral/Whirlpool. 

 

[nmassman44]

Well the GE dryer in the pic isnt all that bad except for the fact that it is on the small side. If you are getting an F&P washer the capacity of the washer will exceed the dryer's usable capacity. Now this dryer can be used but loads will have to be reduced to the proper load size for the dryer. One basic rule I go by: if a washer's basket size is at least 3.2 cuft then the dryer needs to be twice the size. It should be 6.4 cuft or more for proper tumbling and wrinkle free drying. Not to mention the fluff factor. You cannot go wrong with a Whirlpool built dryer with the filter on the top. They are terrific dryers and dry fast. If you find one with the Accudry electronic sensor system...they are accurate and dry well.

 

[nmassman44]

and one thing with the dryer in the pic...those Frigidaire built dryers have this one quirk that I hate....small items like underwear, socks, washcloths get stuck between the front of the drum and the vanes. That space gap is notorious for that.

 

[yogitunes]

I just got home from buying that exact GE washer dryer set.....actually made by Electrolux/Frigidaire......time proven design......not the biggest, but still handles many loads well, WATER LEVEL on these can be adjusted if needed with a screwdriver, dryer does run hot on high, great for towels, everything else medium or low, works great.......although I only paid 100.00 for my set, I got a gas dryer this time.....I also like this front control design, easily stackable parts included inside, or side by side and add a counter top.....

hit the sale and rebate right...and you can get these brand new for about $600.00 for the set, warranty and all.....depends on your budget

 

[volvoguy87]

Admiral/Whirlpool.

I don't believe there is a dryer manufactured today that will outperform a Whirlpool-built dryer with the lint filter on the top in the back right corner, in ANY price range. Get a new one or an older one, the guts are the same design. The design hasn't changed much since 1965. They are VERY reliable and are easy to service. The nicer ones have a light on the back of the drum cavity between the 2 vents. The really nice ones also have a moisture sensor located at about 5:00 on the rear bulkhead (back of the drum) but there are many out there with the sensor but no light. Look around because these dryers are common as water in the Atlantic Ocean.

My personal choice would be to find one with the light and sensor, AND the drop-down door (personal preference) AND the removable kick panel below the door. The removable panel makes it a cinch to vacuum out the under-side of the dryer from time to time and it also makes servicing it easier. They are available in gas and electric versions.

I work in an appliance parts store and we sell a LOT of parts for the Frigidaire dryers (bearings, belts, and seals especially). We sell about as many Whirlpool dryer parts, but the kicker is that there are WAY more WP dryers out there in my area. From what I've seen, the WP dryers can go for decades and decades without much fuss, but the Frigidaire dryers tend to meet an early demise. The Frigidaires also tend to run a bit too warm and are more susceptible to airflow restrictions.

Go for the WP, you can't beat them,
Dave

 

[hidingoutonhere]

"My personal choice would be to find one with the light and sensor, AND the drop-down door (personal preference) AND the removable kick panel below the door. The removable panel makes it a cinch to vacuum out the under-side of the dryer from time to time and it also makes servicing it easier. They are available in gas and electric versions."

Ah so you're thinking something like this one. It was in a set...I wonder if they'd break the set. There's another used place in town I might go check out too, now that you mention it.

To tell you the truth I'm biased against the "Classic Whirlpool design" because that's what I have here and it's a bit on the slow side. But from what I've heard (In the past week or two whilst I've been looking at used appliances), it's probably slow because the vent is clogged or a sensor is dying or the heating element is past it's prime...or a dozen other things, and not necessarily any fault of the dryer itself.

 

[hidingoutonhere]

There's also this really old Whirlpool, it just looks like it's had a harder life than I want to deal with. What with that big section of missing paint and all.

 

[appnut]

that first dryer of the two you posted (as the matched set) looks like it's been rode hard!!  the 2nd one may be in a bit better shape, but it's much older.  mid to late 1980s. 

 

[DADoES]

The 2nd Whirly dryer, immediately above, also is not the largest capacity. Notice the rear bulkhead isn't bumped-out.

 

[frigilux]

I've owned two of the Frigidaire dryers you pictured above. Their drums are small, and as has been mentioned, clothes tend to catch in the little gap between the frame and drum, as well as the corner of the lint filter. Also, the lint filter is small, and big loads totally overload the filter's capacity. I never liked these dryers.
You have to break large loads into two, or you'll have an accordian-wrinkled mess.

The new, redesigned Frigidaires have 7-cu. ft. drums and large lint filters. I have one and love it. But I'd stay away from the GE/Frigidaire you're looking at.

Go for the dryer with the largest drum---Admiral/Whirlpool.

 

[hidingoutonhere]

I think I might have found the one friends. KitchenAid = Whirlpool?

 

[hydralique]

Don't be prejudiced against an Admiral with the lint filter below the door opening. I have one, bought a few years ago at Home Depot, and it's been great. Has a nice drum light, and although it is listed as having a slightly smaller burner than similar Maytags it dries quickly and smoothly.

 

[nmassman44]

yes that KitchenAid is a Whirlpool in disguise. Those dryers are very easy to service. They last a good long time and drying is quick. If you have a slow dryer it means that where the lint chute is that you could have a buildup of lint in the bottom of it. I love the the drum diameter and I will tell ya that shirts come out of this dryer wrinkle free to a large extent. Loads come out of the dryer like its not baked to death in heat.

 

[hidingoutonhere]

I'm not sure what I did to please the mystic used dryer powers, because I went through a week or two worth of online classifieds last night (There is a local news station that has a free classifieds section here and it's super popular. We have CraigsList too, but I'd say this other sees at least 3x or 4x the traffic) and didn't see much. This morning that KitchenAid popped up, but now look at this one.

AccuSensor, selectable end of cycle signal...it doesn't have the kickplate, but it's cheaper than the KitchenAid I posed above. I think I have the winner! Calling on it now.

 

[whirlcool]

We have one of those Whirlpool dryers with the filter on top. It has been totally trouble free since it was new in 1993. We haven't even had to change the light bulb in it. It's quiet and it dries reasonably fast.

Every 6 months wash the lint filter in dish detergent and air dry. Also once every three years take the cover off the dryer and vacuum everywhere. This is what usually causes the dryer to take time when drying.

The heat is gentle and it doesn't bake your laundry like some other brands do.

 

[hidingoutonhere]

And that Whirlpool is mine. Cash deposit tonight, pick it up Tuesday with the rest of my stuff. Thanks everyone for your help! What do I need to do when I get this? Open it up and vacuum it out good?

 

[yogitunes]

Vacuum everywhere?...YES.....helps if you have long brushes to break up the lint from being stuck inside

but if you have access to an air compressor......this will blow out every nook and cranny of that entire machine......

pay attention to the motor, this is usually full of dust and lint also, and can cause it to overheat