Frigidaire compact dryers -- are these any good?

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In all honesty, they are not terrific dryers. The capacity is fairly small and the plastic guides the drum rides on in front wear out fairly soon and have to be replaced when you find black streaks on your clothes. They are really just a cheapened version of the older Westinghouse dryers that go all the way back to the 60's. I am sure there are probably newer versions of these now that may be different. But this particular one looks like the kind I have mentioned. I personally think the very best dryers ever made were the ordinary Whirlpool/Kenmore dryers with the lint trap on the top of the machine. They are work horses that seldom clog with lint or have any of the other many problems other dryers have.
 
Frigidaire/Kenmore/GE Dryer

I have had the electric version of this dryer (Frigidaire) for over 10 years. Never a problem & has always performed perfectly. As a single person, it has been a very good performer along with the matching washing machine. The only issue I ever have is when I over load it. Then small items (underwear, socks, hand towels, etc.) get stuck between the "paddles" (for lack of a better term) and the side of the drum. Lesson of the day: Don't over load!
 
The dryer in the pic has the sensor system and works quite well too. I have the GE version of this dryer that I use from time to time and its about 15 years old now. The only repair I have done to it was to replace the gas valve solenoids. Other than that it has been a good dryer. Mine has the thermostatic control for the auto cycle, not quite the finesse of a sensor system, but it works. I will agree if the dryer is overloaded, underwear, socks and pillowcases love to find their way between the drum wall and vane. Most of the time it will happen up front, rarely in the back. The dryer performs well if a load is spun damp dry at over 900 rpms, any lower, then it does take its sweet time to dry a load. But in my case it does quite well speed wise.
The dryer in the pic should also have the Stainless Steel drum that is quite durable.
 
This is NOT a compact dryer.


I've had a Frigidaire Gallery (220V) dryer along with the matching (small round door) washer for 18 years now. I've run probably 2700 loads through them since buying them new in 1998.

The dryer <span style="text-decoration: underline;">has not had a single repair</span> in 18 years.   The washer I had to replace the timer knob once (it broke and needed pliers to start it) and the tub shocks twice now.  They both perform well and have been very durable.

 

The dryer is a standard size, not compact and dries well.   Being electric it's slower than a gas version, but still works well.

 

Kevin

 

P.S. Greg, did you buy it?  I noticed the ad has been deleted.
 
A friend of mine has both the Frigidaire Gallery electric version and the Kenmore propane version that he uses when his electricity rates are higher during cold weather.  He replaced the drum bearing two times and the glides a few more but other than that, the dryer is fine. My sister also has the Frigidaire electric version and it works OK. The "Start" knob is the thing that fails most often on these! My sister now has Frigidaire 1-18 knobs on her's!
 
Kevin I guess someone else beat me to it.  I kind of hate to give up my big GE but sometimes I just wish for stacked so I could have the floor space back...a small deep freezer would just fit there haha.  Thanks for the info guys...I'll keep all this in mind for the next one that comes up. 
 
these are great dryers, a perfect match capacity wise to the washer counterpart...I have had several, stacked and side by side...

had the electric, but prefer gas.......the only issue with the electric ones is the heating element is right behind the back wall, and for loads like blankets and comforters should be dried on low, as they don't slide against the bulkhead like stationary ones like a Whirlpool, and you run a risk of scorching the fabric.....mixed loads aren't such a problem......

not actually beneficial, but some of these models reverse tumble....pros and cons, but a neat feature.....

and as mentioned, I prefer the Kenmore version with the stainless drum....

about the only service any of mine have ever needed was that back bearing needing grease, a rather simple job, and a chance to clean out all the lint at the same time.....
 
Reverse tumbling

 

 

My dryer has this feature and yes it is kinda neat, but personally I don't see the benefit.   It's supposed to prevent large items from "balling up" (I assume) but in my experience, it doesn't the majority of the time.   It will tumble one direction 5 minutes, stop for 2-3 seconds, reverses 30-45 seconds, <span style="font-size: 12pt;">stop for 2-3 seconds, then reverses to "main" direction again.    </span>

<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I assume the blower was designed to be most efficient when rotating one direction, because when it runs in "reverse" it's much quieter and the airflow is maybe 1/4 of normal.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Kevin</span>
 
This particular dryer that is pictured looks to be one of the White Westinghouse made models in which the entire drum rotates. This being the case, it is a smaller capacity dryer than the dryers made now and has many of the problems I stated in my first post. If it is a later style one, the capacity is bigger and the back portion of the dryer does not rotate. Those dryers might be better, I don't honestly know. What I do know is that the Westinghouse and White Westinghouse dryers were not all that terrific, regardless of what others have stated previously. I have worked on many of them and they DO definitely have issues with the drum glides in front wearing out and causing the felt seal to be flattened out and in some cases torn up and catching clothing causing black streaks on the clothing. The start knob does break easily after being used frequently too, along with other things. I can't imagine anyone telling you how wonderful these dryers are. If they had one for a number of years with no repairs, it must have been very carefully used and had minimum loads dried in it. But when I think of what today's standards have dropped to, I guess it is typical thinking of many people. Just not that good of a dryer. There are much better choices.
 
I got this set for 30.00....the washer needed bearings.....I lost the one knob during transit.....they work flawlessly.....

I also have the newer Gallery series, and is of the same design, just now built by Electrolux....the washer just needed more water added for my taste...

the gas versions are better as the heater is below the drum, reducing hot spots on the rear part of the drum.......

they were all built by WhiteConsolidated/Frigidaire.....under several names, GE, Frigidaire, Gibson, Kenmore.....

I prefer the Kenmore version for more features, stainless drum, and especially the 'soft heat' gave better results versus the lower counterparts....

if you can find a matched set, grab them, these are great performers....

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1998 Frigidaire Gallery

We bought these new for our first built home. Honestly, they were GREAT. We left them with the house, and after buying the new TOL GE front loaders for the next house, we really learned how great they were. So, Yogitunes is right - you can't go wrong if you can find a good Gallery set. They didn't have the mold issues. They washed everything well - delicates and normal very good..got really clean. I know it's a combination of water quality, soap used, etc. The spin cycle really cranks and extracts. Our cat(r.i.p.) loved to watch the ENTIRE cycle of washing and drying. It was so cute.

Recommend yes.

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