Dryer doors that open top-down vs. side swing
- Thread starter chyslop
- Start date
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."
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.
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.
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phillymatt53
Well-known member
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.
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.
I can reach items at the back of the drum with no issues.
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?
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?
vacerator
Well-known member
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.
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.
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.
Dryer doors that open down instead of opening to the side.
It’s really a matter of user preference, I’ve mostly had whirlpool built dryers with the door opening down and find them much handier because as you’re removing things from the washer and tossing them in the dryer when you miss they don’t hit the dirty laundry room floor, but of course you can put a clothes basket right in front of the door and get around that problem.
The disadvantage of doors that open down is you have to be pretty agile and tall to reach the back of the dryer drone when removing items which is not a problem for me.
On a construction standpoint, it costs more to build a door that opens down. It has to be stronger and counter, balanced, and better supported, you won’t normally see a door in a laundromat that opens down because again they’re more subject to abuse with people sitting or standing on them, which can damage the machine.
I wish that front loading washers would go back to a door that opened down like the old Westinghouse machines again it was much handier when loading and unloading for me, but your mileage may vary.
John L
It’s really a matter of user preference, I’ve mostly had whirlpool built dryers with the door opening down and find them much handier because as you’re removing things from the washer and tossing them in the dryer when you miss they don’t hit the dirty laundry room floor, but of course you can put a clothes basket right in front of the door and get around that problem.
The disadvantage of doors that open down is you have to be pretty agile and tall to reach the back of the dryer drone when removing items which is not a problem for me.
On a construction standpoint, it costs more to build a door that opens down. It has to be stronger and counter, balanced, and better supported, you won’t normally see a door in a laundromat that opens down because again they’re more subject to abuse with people sitting or standing on them, which can damage the machine.
I wish that front loading washers would go back to a door that opened down like the old Westinghouse machines again it was much handier when loading and unloading for me, but your mileage may vary.
John L
