agitatorboogie
Well-known member
Check it out....it's a 1950's Whirlpool gas dryer, just like the one in that documentary.....
MOTHER....you'll just never know!!
- Thread starter agitatorboogie
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What does the small toggle switch do? Tub light?
agitatorboogie
Well-known member
That would be my guess
I don't think that switch opens the door......
I don't think that switch opens the door......
That may be the ignitor system....
twintubdexter
Well-known member
I saw that listing a few days ago. I remember those dryers, both gas and electric. They were fun to work on and perfectly fine for resale. In many cases both the washer and dryer were traded in with the washer needing a new pump and the dryer just needing de-linting. I do not remember that switch, but then it was a very, very long time ago.
ovrphil
Well-known member
When "Automatic" was larger in life
I like the restrained style and middle cabinet crease. I remember how significant it was to read and think about "Automatic". In the early to mid-50's, our neighbors relied upon their clothes line, both outdoors and basment. If you had a dryer, back then, you were really living in the "automatic" world.
I like the restrained style and middle cabinet crease. I remember how significant it was to read and think about "Automatic". In the early to mid-50's, our neighbors relied upon their clothes line, both outdoors and basment. If you had a dryer, back then, you were really living in the "automatic" world.
Early 1950-52 WP Gas Dryer
The small switch on the front was only on the gas models, when turned on it activated the electric pilot ignition system to light the pilot, it was suggested that you turn it off after the last load of laundry was dried on laundry day.
I think what WP was trying to do was to save wear and tear on the ignitor and other parts of the ignition system by not having to use these parts every time the dryer called for heat.
The switch was discontinued by 1953 but even these later Gas Dryers would light the pilot and leave it on for the whole drying cycle while cycling only the main gas burner.
John L.
The small switch on the front was only on the gas models, when turned on it activated the electric pilot ignition system to light the pilot, it was suggested that you turn it off after the last load of laundry was dried on laundry day.
I think what WP was trying to do was to save wear and tear on the ignitor and other parts of the ignition system by not having to use these parts every time the dryer called for heat.
The switch was discontinued by 1953 but even these later Gas Dryers would light the pilot and leave it on for the whole drying cycle while cycling only the main gas burner.
John L.
ovrphil
Well-known member
About those electric pilot ignition systems.
We didn't have a gas dryer with this feature, and our house survived the times that the wind blew out the pilot light in our gas dryer and mom would open the lower right hand door, press a button and light a match to get the pilot light re-lit. Eventually, we moved to electric.
John L - do you have some of these old dryer types in your collection? I wish I could remember our brand dryer. The blue flame was a constant source of interest to me, as much as watching the wash in our old wringer washer, slosh around.
We didn't have a gas dryer with this feature, and our house survived the times that the wind blew out the pilot light in our gas dryer and mom would open the lower right hand door, press a button and light a match to get the pilot light re-lit. Eventually, we moved to electric.
John L - do you have some of these old dryer types in your collection? I wish I could remember our brand dryer. The blue flame was a constant source of interest to me, as much as watching the wash in our old wringer washer, slosh around.
Early 1950-52 WP Gas Dryer
I actually do have this exact dryer and matching washer. I started restoring the washer almost 40 years ago, I bought all the new mechanical parts when they were still available and reassembled the drive line for the washer. Then about 4 years ago Smitty professionally repainted the washer and dryer cabinets at his auto body shop and clear coated and baked the finish on.
Well the dryer is done but I have not fully assembled the washer yet, it is on my long list of projects to do.
I actually do have this exact dryer and matching washer. I started restoring the washer almost 40 years ago, I bought all the new mechanical parts when they were still available and reassembled the drive line for the washer. Then about 4 years ago Smitty professionally repainted the washer and dryer cabinets at his auto body shop and clear coated and baked the finish on.
Well the dryer is done but I have not fully assembled the washer yet, it is on my long list of projects to do.
