What did Kenmore mean when they listed "soft heat" on their control panels? Is this some type of feature, electronic control or a lower thermostat setting? I always like the emblem.
Kenmore Soft Heat
- Thread starter Chetlaham
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It pays to wander about the archives:
https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?47298
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https://www.google.com/search?q="soft+heat"+kenmore+dryer+site:www.automaticwasher.org&client=opera&hs=FPU&sca_esv=63153777c7903089&sca_upv=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjmpav9uqaIAxXPAHkGHSrhBd0QrQIoBHoECCYQBQ&biw=983&bih=671&dpr=1.3
https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?47298
1966 Lady Kenmore Dryer with Soft Heat, part 2
I finally got it indoors and plugged in, then the boyfriend headed out on a trip with the digital camera, so for now no new pics, here's the old link below to the original thread. I ran 3 loads of clothes, it seems to do best so far when set on 5 of 8, 8 being dampest. Then I tore into it...
www.automaticwasher.org
https://www.google.com/search?q="soft+heat"+kenmore+dryer+site:www.automaticwasher.org&client=opera&hs=FPU&sca_esv=63153777c7903089&sca_upv=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjmpav9uqaIAxXPAHkGHSrhBd0QrQIoBHoECCYQBQ&biw=983&bih=671&dpr=1.3
Oh, Neat!
Ok, so it seems like earlier models used either a modulating gas valve or multiple heating elements which maintained a relatively even exhaust temperature. While latter models switched on their bias heater for low heat 10-15 minutes before the cool down.
Neat.
My Maytag Centennial dryer does this, it will switch on low heat before the cool down. The concept doesn't work well with heavy loads, though it is what it is.
Ok, so it seems like earlier models used either a modulating gas valve or multiple heating elements which maintained a relatively even exhaust temperature. While latter models switched on their bias heater for low heat 10-15 minutes before the cool down.
Neat.
My Maytag Centennial dryer does this, it will switch on low heat before the cool down. The concept doesn't work well with heavy loads, though it is what it is.
Maytag Dryer MEDC300XW0
Confirming- looking at my Maytag dryer it seems like it also has soft heat. Contact BU-V is labelled as "soft heat" and closes about 10 minutes before the cool down in both the timed dry and sensor dry cycles by energizing the thermostat bias heater in full.
I guess the answer was in front of me all along yet somehow I never made the connection that the dryer switching to low heat before the cool down for a type of soft heat.
Personally I don't like the concept, at least not in the way its being used/offered, in that my dryer does not have a normal cycle offering a 130 minute timed dry. 70 minutes with 10 minutes of low heat followed by a 10 minute cool down does not work well with heavy denim or towel loads on medium heat. I personally like medium heat all the way through with a 5 minute cool down for regular loads.
GE uses a similar concept with two heating elements, though their design relies on the temperate of the heater housing ("drum inlet") and not the exhaust itself. I've noticed GE's concept cutouts way to soon in the load leaving only one heater running throughout most of the dry cycle. I wonder if that has something to do with reduced air flow in that GE dryers were built to run at 120 volts at one point.
Confirming- looking at my Maytag dryer it seems like it also has soft heat. Contact BU-V is labelled as "soft heat" and closes about 10 minutes before the cool down in both the timed dry and sensor dry cycles by energizing the thermostat bias heater in full.
I guess the answer was in front of me all along yet somehow I never made the connection that the dryer switching to low heat before the cool down for a type of soft heat.
Personally I don't like the concept, at least not in the way its being used/offered, in that my dryer does not have a normal cycle offering a 130 minute timed dry. 70 minutes with 10 minutes of low heat followed by a 10 minute cool down does not work well with heavy denim or towel loads on medium heat. I personally like medium heat all the way through with a 5 minute cool down for regular loads.
GE uses a similar concept with two heating elements, though their design relies on the temperate of the heater housing ("drum inlet") and not the exhaust itself. I've noticed GE's concept cutouts way to soon in the load leaving only one heater running throughout most of the dry cycle. I wonder if that has something to do with reduced air flow in that GE dryers were built to run at 120 volts at one point.
Think by putting a 120F cycling thermostat in my Maytag DE806 along with a 180F high limit thermostat in, I invented the Maytag ‘Soft Heat’ HOH dryer. I’ve noticed the front of the cabinet gets quite warm if not somewhat hot to the touch with a large load of towels, but gradually gets cooler towards the end of the cycle. Even my Maytag DG407 exhibited the same thing, from of the cabinet would be quite warm to the touch and as the cycle progressed, it would get cooler and cooler to the touch.
Sean, at what temp is delicate, medium and normal supposed to open at?
In my experience dryers do best at medium heat, I feel like the high setting on most dryers is just way to hot for the load and the machine itself.
I've also found that medium heat doesn't work as well with auto dry cycles and big loads in that the stat opening begins advancing the timer to soon. Not so much an issue with Kenmore dryers, but I remember my 1998 GE would always shutoff with the load damp on press care.
In my experience dryers do best at medium heat, I feel like the high setting on most dryers is just way to hot for the load and the machine itself.
I've also found that medium heat doesn't work as well with auto dry cycles and big loads in that the stat opening begins advancing the timer to soon. Not so much an issue with Kenmore dryers, but I remember my 1998 GE would always shutoff with the load damp on press care.
"70 minutes with 10 minutes of low heat followed by a 10 minute cool down does not work well with heavy denim or towel loads on medium heat. I personally like medium heat all the way through with a 5 minute cool down for regular loads."
Why not use the sensor cycle and select the "More Dry" option?
Why not use the sensor cycle and select the "More Dry" option?
The dryer advances into a 90 minute wrinkle guard which cycles the motor on and off. I've never had a need for it.
"The dryer advances into a 90 minute wrinkle guard which cycles the motor on and off."
Yeah, I kind of figured that was the case but thought I'd ask. I never run the dryer without being present so I'd catch it before it cycled the more than once. Usually there's a way to turn that feature off but not on this model.
Get a vintage TOL Newton Maytag from 1976-1989
Yeah, I kind of figured that was the case but thought I'd ask. I never run the dryer without being present so I'd catch it before it cycled the more than once. Usually there's a way to turn that feature off but not on this model.
Get a vintage TOL Newton Maytag from 1976-1989
Sadly. Its being present what annoys me lol. Most of the time I like to let the dryer stop while I finish other housework or I'm on the computer. Hearing it cycles grinds my gears.
The same timer motor on old dryers had a 130 minute normal cycle that has now been turned into a combined sensor dry + wrinkle guard cycle. Awful thing to do, I hate what energy regs have done.
I should get a vintage Maytag, though being honest I like Whirlpool top mounted filter dryers better. Some old models were 100% timed dry on all cycles, I might one day see if I can drop in one of those timers. Mounting holes are the same I think.
The same timer motor on old dryers had a 130 minute normal cycle that has now been turned into a combined sensor dry + wrinkle guard cycle. Awful thing to do, I hate what energy regs have done.
I should get a vintage Maytag, though being honest I like Whirlpool top mounted filter dryers better. Some old models were 100% timed dry on all cycles, I might one day see if I can drop in one of those timers. Mounting holes are the same I think.
Nmassman44 disclosed our LG dryers (the dryer models corresponding to our front load washers) essentially did the same thing as the original soft heat Kenmore dryers when using the electronic sensor Normal cycle. I have no idea if it does, but Mike seems to manage to dig and unearth all sorts of thibngs I've never been able to unearth myself. I usually pick the cycle that provides the heat temp (high, medium high, medium, delicate) that I want. I will admit I've tried drying my loads of towels (which consist of the same items for each load of towels) and I've noticed the loads take a little bit longer when using Normal vs. Towels cycle. Only thing I could speculate is the Normal cycle gradually reduces heat as the load dries. I prefer just selecting the cycle/tempereature I desire for a particular load.
<blockquote>Most of the time I like to let the dryer stop while I finish other housework or I'm on the computer. Hearing it cycles grinds my gears.</blockquote> You're apparently in the house and within earshot of the dryer but not ready to unload it. Perhaps go open/close the door to cancel the Wrinkle Prevent?
(vs. me who sometimes purposely allows the SmartLoad's Wrinkle Free function continue cycling overnight, which I find makes towels and jeans and cargo shorts a bit softened without the need for a softener product and normalizes the residual moisture content to ambient characteristics. No, that doesn't mean they're moist when drying is done.)
neptunebob
Well-known member
Chet, you need to get out of the house more often.
Never understood Whirlpools ridiculously long Wrinkle Guard (or whatever it's called now) cycle. Cycling the motor on and off for hours on end is a waste of electricity and producing a bunch of wear on the motor/start switch and probably eating up at least one contact on the timer. Just unload the f***ing dryer already.
<blockquote>Never understood Whirlpools ridiculously long Wrinkle Guard ...</blockquote> LOL, how long is long? 4 hrs? 7 hrs? 12 hrs? Nope ... ;-)
I guess enough people have items that need to be either pulled out immediately, tumbled, or they wrinkle. I remember back in the day buzzer and wrinkle guard Kenmores were selling. Today its misting dryers.
@dadoes: wheres the fun in pulling out hot towels lol? A 5 minute cool down without prior temperature grading makes for a real luxurious experience. Yes you can't wear jeans because the button gets to hot, yet everything else is totally worth it. Super warm underwear, shirts, socks, towels, sheets, pillow cases ect. you have to try it.
@neptunebob: Never run appliances while away. The internet is full of anecdotes as to why you shouldn't. I know you don't agree with me mourning the loss of my normal cycle however doing laundry out of the house is just bad advice.
@dadoes: wheres the fun in pulling out hot towels lol? A 5 minute cool down without prior temperature grading makes for a real luxurious experience. Yes you can't wear jeans because the button gets to hot, yet everything else is totally worth it. Super warm underwear, shirts, socks, towels, sheets, pillow cases ect. you have to try it.
@neptunebob: Never run appliances while away. The internet is full of anecdotes as to why you shouldn't. I know you don't agree with me mourning the loss of my normal cycle however doing laundry out of the house is just bad advice.
In addition to that avocado Kenmore dryer in one of the threads boasting that feature, there is also the feature dubbed as Fabric Master...
My childhood friohad that exact dryer as well as the matching washer in that avocado green...
Is the fabric master feature a temperature controlled, or actually done with an electronic sensor?
Never knew much about that Soft Heat tag used in generations of Kenmore dryers, other than being that sales gimmick...
-- Dave
My childhood friohad that exact dryer as well as the matching washer in that avocado green...
Is the fabric master feature a temperature controlled, or actually done with an electronic sensor?
Never knew much about that Soft Heat tag used in generations of Kenmore dryers, other than being that sales gimmick...
-- Dave
My dryer has the cool down on auto-sensor cycles variable to 95°F, although maximum of 10 mins. Timed dry is fixed 10 mins for the 40- and 80-min selections, 5 mins for 20 mins.
I have no desire to don hot garments or towels in the TX summer or fall or spring ... or the couple months of winter.
90 mins is outrageously long for a Wrinkle Prevent function? Lady Kenmore and some other KM models and the vintage WP TOLs that had it were 2-1/2 hrs as I recall. That's a fraction of mine, and it's an option on auto-dry and timed.
