Do you prefer drop down or side open dryer door?

[fan-of-fans]

I can see benefits of both. The drop down seems to be the more deluxe option. The wider opening makes it easier to access the drum, and I guess the door can make a nice shelf for placing items. However the side opening seems it's a little easier to get in the drum instead of having to reach across the drop down door. But smaller opening and no folding area in front.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

I like the side opening door because I can place my laundry basket right in front of the machine for loading

 

[eurekastar]

Side Opening

Because it is easier to access the drum.

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Why settle for one or the other, why not have both??? 

 

 

 

[thomasortega]

Or maybe Top load....

 

[DADoES]

[No message]

 

[kate1]

I’ve owned both, neither was particularly more convenient for me than the other. I do remember my mom’s Kenmore being a drop down style door and that it was broken by one of my siblings sitting on it, so if you have rambunctious young children around that might sit, stand, or climb on the door, a side opening one might last longer. I haven’t personally had that problem with my own children, but I think they know what would happen if they broke something like that, and they all do laundry so maybe they have more of an understanding of how bad it would be if they broke the dryer.

 

[appnut]

Side opening.  I've had both.  First was the GE with the ultra large drum and ultra large door.  Then I got the 1986 LK dryer.  Numerous times  I nearly fell in trying to reach the back of the drum to retrieve a small item or two.  I might have considered a side swing WP or KM dryer in December 1994 when I had to replace the dryer (motor froze up), but WP didn't have high-end features on side swing equipped dryers then.  Now that's no longer the case what with front load matching and high-efficiency top load matching dryers now offering high-end TOL features with side-swing doors.  

 

[twintubdexter]

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">Although I suppose both have advantages. I miss the door on my old KitchenAid/Whirlpool. When you pulled big stuff out small things didn't fall out onto the floor. The service department guys (from my teen days) often called them a "hamper door". </span>

 

[fan-of-fans]

That avocado Whirlpool is awesome! Never saw one like that. It even has wood paneling on the front! Does the fluorescent light have a switch separate from the timer?

 

[launderess]

Side

For same reasons as front loading washers; basket goes beneath opening and everything just goes directly in, no muss or fuss.

Doors that open to bottom are a bother. Unless one is using door to unload laundry onto, thence to basket it just complicates things.

 

[maytag85]

I guess there is advantages and disadvantages to dryer doors the open straight down, but the door on WP 29” dryers is good since stuff doesn’t fall onto the floor when you open it. The WP 29” dryers with the door that opens all the way with the larger opening is good for large items, but things can fall out as soon as you open the door. Not many complaints about the WP 29” dryers with the porthole opening, but it might be kind of challenging loading larger items into the dryer, but things won’t fall out when you open the dryer door.

 

[frigilux]

Grew up with a drop-down 1960 Kenmore Model 80, but now that space is tight in from of my machines, I'm glad the SQ has a side-opening door for the reasons everyone stated above.

The Whirlpool shown above with the option to open the door either way is cool! Have never seen that before.

 

[appnut]

This is a page from sales brochure that was like our 1964 Norge Wrinkle-Out dryer with the 3-position drop down door, which I felt is and was the best dryer door design.  

 

[lotsosudz]

Hey Appnut

Do what I did, buy a children's plastic rake from Walmart. They are great for retrieving those small items That huddle in the back of the drum.
Hugs,
David

 

[twintubdexter]

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I should have mentioned that my clothes go directly from the dryer to being folded or placed on hangers. I use the top of both laundry appliances since I don't have the luxury of a dedicated folding area. I don't own a laundry basket. It works out well for me. It's the socks that fall out on the floor that bugs me. But front, side top or bottom, I hate folding.</span>

[this post was last edited: 6/9/2019-15:47]

 

[DADoES]

 
Dad has two or three of those grabber-tongs at strategic locations around the house (so he doesn't have to deal with moving one around).

https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/drive-medical-handy-grabber-reaching-aid/ID=prod6388138-product

 

[thomasortega]

Well, if it's to consider the unloading, I LOVE stacked dryers because of that.

No need to bend to grab the items in the back of the drum.

 

[yogitunes]

Drop Down PREFFERED.....

and not so much for unloading, but for LOADING!....

drop clothing on shelf/door, and slide the clothes in, nothing dropped on the floor, or trying to toss items in, and missing the opening...

I think it was the Norge that had the Hamper Door, that stayed at a 45 degree angle position, so clothing just slid in...

any dryer placed on a pedestal is a breeze to load or unload....I had mine on a platform long before riser/drawers were ever invented...