Dryer doors that open top-down vs. side swing

[chyslop]

I'm considering buying a 1999 Kenmore 90 series dryer with door that swings down to open. Do you find this door orientation makes it harder to load/unload laundry? My current dryer has a side swing door and it's easy to reach inside.

 

[DADoES]

It's a personal preference, and somewhat related to whether one's routine is to pull the finished load out into a laundry basket set in front of the machine in which case the door may be a hindrance to reaching in for "the last sock."

 

[maytag85]

The only gripe I have about these is the incoming heat has a tendency to go through smaller loads and directly out the exhaust, a tendency to ball things up, a lint screen that’s tricky to clean with the way the hamper door is.

May sound ludicrous, but I’d say these are more inefficient at drying smaller and medium loads than the 1961 to 1965 Whirlpool and Kenmore dryers.

 

[phillymatt53]

It's a personal preference, and somewhat related to whether one's routine is to pull the finished load out into a laundry basket set in front of the machine in which case the door may be a hindrance to reaching in for "the last sock."

My Maytag's got a full cabinet width side-opening door, which to me is preferrable as you stated.
I put the basket on the floor and fill it right up.
And since the laundry area is not that wide, it's a blessing.

 

[philcobendixduo]

I like the downward opening door as it gives me an extra surface to sort dried clothes onto as I remove them from the dryer.
I can reach items at the back of the drum with no issues.

 

[wiskybill]

Leo has no problem reaching the back of the dryer for me.

He's not much into folding though.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Downward for me, too...

With the lint filter right in the door sill...

Though is there a better advantage with the lint filter on the top of the dryer right behind the drum?

 

[DADoES]

There's also the option (although now scarce to find) of a toploading dryer.

 

[vacerator]

The downward opening door and the Maytag side opening is also a servicing advantage. The separate bottom panel allows for access to the burner coils and the lint screen plenum for cleaning. The top lint screen models with a full front panel has to be removed and the top supported on a wall. Not a big deal. The front lint screen plenum has very sharp edges and will cut your fingers so use gloves.

 

[rinso]

There's also the option (although now scarce to find) of a toploading dryer.

I used to own a F&P Top-Loading dryer. It performed perfectly and it was a breeze to transfer laundry from my F&P Aqua Smart washer, directly into the dryer. I will admit, however, that the mechanism added a lot of complexity to the machine, sometimes resulting in a service call. It dried accurately and dump the ling into a collection cup.

 

[DADoES]

I used to own a F&P Top-Loading dryer. It performed perfectly and it was a breeze to transfer laundry from my F&P Aqua Smart washer, directly into the dryer. I will admit, however, that the mechanism added a lot of complexity to the machine, sometimes resulting in a service call. It dried accurately and dump the ling into a collection cup.

I have four. One bought new in 2004. Three found used, one of which has been refurbished.

 

[rp2813]

The only downward opening dryer I've ever dealt with was my mom's '67 Snorge. The door could be opened completely flat against the lower panel so it wouldn't interfere with unloading. I don't know if this was common for other makes, but I don't think I'd want a downward opening door that stopped at 90 degrees.