Kenmore Electric Dryer worth it?

[hobarthero]

Found this locally near me. I can grab it for $40 in working condition. Are these decent? Not too familiar with really old Kenmore stuff. Just want to make sure it’s worth my time and any other info is always appreciated.
-Shannon

 

[pulltostart]

That one looks pretty cool!  I know nothing about vintage Kenmores, but that one says "1959/1960" ish to me.

 

lawrence

 

[coldspot66]

1963

 

[repairguy]

It’s a Kenmore 70 which was usually a nicely featured model in the middle of the Sears line. It would have the older bulkhead design which is not a problem but the ‘65 and newer were much easier to service. The one shown has a rear drum bearing and blower bearing that required periodic maintenance. All that said if it was that close to me for that price it would already be in my stable.

 

[maytag85]

Since I have one of those older Whirlpool built 29” top filter dryers made before 1966 that I use on a almost daily basis, all I can say is they are good dryers and dry fairly quick but are a little different to service since they use a bearing instead of rollers and the fan is different as well since it uses a separate belt and has its own bearing as well. One nice thing is it has the UV/ozone build in it which is really good at disinfecting clothes from bacteria and viruses.

 

[goatfarmer]

Well worth $40.00, but bid cheaper!

 

[tomturbomatic]

If you have cheap electricity, it's a cute dryer. If you do not have cheap electricity the inefficiency of the design is astounding. All you have to do is read the owner's manuals for these dryers and see the difference in drying times between the gas models with the large burners and the electric models limited to a 30 amp 5.4 KW element to get an idea of what I am talking about. John rebuilt a gas model in the Match All style and used his knowledge to position felt baffles on the rear bulkhead to help prevent the drying air stream from racing behind the rear of the drum without being forced through the tumbling fabrics. If you are attracted by the control panel, you can see about the possibility of transplanting it onto another, newer dryer. You could also get it and see about converting to a gas model. Another factor that could make this style dryer less extravagant to operate is to spin everything you dry in a washer with a very high RPM spin, something like a Miele or similar washer.

 

[maytag85]

Reply #6

The incoming air only bypasses the drum when overloaded and I know that from owning my 1963 RCA Whirlpool Imperial dryer for over a year. The glass window on mine gets HOT to the touch when in operation so the heat is definitely not bypassing the drum that’s for sure.

 

[tomturbomatic]

A tale full of sound and fury... signifying nothing.