New/Used Clothes Dryer Suggestions?

[DigAPony]

A friend of mine is closing on a house next week and is looking for a clothes dryer. Any recommendations? Could be new or used, preferably used, and either gas or electric?

I like the vintage GE dryers but they only come along now and then on Craigslist.

Also, which would be more energy efficient and reliable; NG or electric?

 

[appnut]

A whirlpool or Whirlpool-produced Kenmore. 

 

[yogitunes]

Whirlpool or Kenmore......and for NJ....stick with NG......

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Good Dryer

Any Whirlpool or Kenmore 29" with the top lint screen. Also there were several Kitchenaid models of this with windowed doors. Speed Queen dryers are also very good.
WK78

 

[DigAPony]

I just double checked, the dryer hookup is for NG. Unfortunately, not as many gas dryers available on Craigslist. Although a 240v line could be run without much trouble.

How are the Whirlpools with reliability and ease of repair?

Personally, I don't much care for the forward folding door design.

 

[alr2903]

Whirlpool produced 29" with filter on top. We have gas, I have had both gas and electric over the years. Depends on your friends budget. The Roper/Admiral branch of the WP family make good daily drivers. Do not overlook Craigs list. There are tons of dryers available right now. Many folks buying a new washer are buying matched sets and selling off their older working dryer. WP made product products including some Kenmores Maytag, Roper and Admiral have side swing doors alr2903

 

[whirlcool]

How Reliable Are Whirlpool Dryers?

I have one that we bought in 1993. Nothing has ever gone wrong with it. I mean it even has the same interior light bulb it had when delivered to us. Twenty years without a failure. Just amazing.

They are simple to work on and parts are cheap if you ever do need a repair. I've installed new belts on them before. Simple. You also might want to pop the lid every few years and vacuum out all the ductwork inside. If the people using it are heavy
fabric softener users the lint may clog up the air duct from the drum to the burner but that's only after a long, long time.

They have been around for what seems forever and Whirlpool and Sears sold a ton of them. So parts will be available for many, many years to come.

 

[yogitunes]

up near you in Patterson, NJ.......look for a place called Fountain of life.....

you can get brand new or scratch and dent...even used machines......for about 1/2 price or less......

worth checking out

 

[DigAPony]

Is this a Whirlpool built Maytag Dryer?-

Good top/horizontal handle location.

http://cnj.craigslist.org/app/3526733606.html

 

[alr2903]

Whirlcool, I am sure someone out there has had a bad experience with a Whirlpool based dryer. Our family has had very good service similar to your experience. My late mom had an avocado green electric Kenmore 1974 bought new. She wore out several washers with that dryer. It was still working in 2000 when dad traded it away on a new set. alr

 

[DigAPony]

How about this Avocado Westinghouse ?-

http://cnj.craigslist.org/app/3561947034.html

 

[appnut]

Maytag gas dryer

It's a very good true Maytag dryer from good ol' Newton Iowa.  Not a bad machine.  I have a 1994 electric version. 

 

[drewz]

29 vs 27 in Whirlpool dryers,

It has always seemed people favor the top lint screen 29's as more reliable than the front screen 27's, can someone explain the difference? Are they harder to service, not as good design?

 

[combo52]

Good Used Dryer

The gas MT is an OK dryer, a 29" WP or KM with a top mounted lint filter is the best choice, skip the green Westinghouse.

 

Diffidently go with the NG heated dryers if you care about the environment or your long term finical future.

 

[cleanteamofny]

29 vs 27 in Whirlpool dryers

Basically they are the same, but the foot print of the 29" will gain you 2-4 inches more of floor space compared to the 27" version.
Drying rates are about the same and may be a few minuets faster with the 27" cross ventilation than on the 29" rear bulk head exhaust.

Also there is a pro and con about lint screen location, 29" holds more lint but the side effect is lint on top of the dryer unless you pull the filter out while running. The 27" can be cleaned within the dryer opening leaving the lint behind where it will be picked up by the next load of laundry.

Minor cleaning of both units are easy if the kick plate can be accessed via the front.
But with any dryer, once a year is recommend for full cleaning of ducting systems![this post was last edited: 2/20/2013-08:46]

 

[drewz]

Thanks Larry,

I thought there may have been a big difference in performance or an issue with the lint and how it was collected.

 

[drewz]

Is there a 29in (Whirlpool Family dryer)in production now with an front access panel?

 

[alr2903]

The entire front is the access panel on the last few I have had. Pop the top, IIRC there are 2 screws the whole front comes off. The drum slides/supports are on the front panel. I do not know if there are any models with the old style lower "Kick panel". You know how they are with an extra ounce of steel. alr

 

[cleanteamofny]

an issue with the lint and how it was collected

Yes there is an issue, for some reason the 27" would catch more lint if the felt on the filter was a 1/8"-1/4" longer to seal better around the grommet of the front bulk head exhaust system. Does the lint comes out completely when removing?
No, some will fall out and blown through the exhaust system so in these days and times, the shorter the vent, the less chances of lint buildup through out the whole system.

The 29" directs the exhaust air towards the bottom center of the filter and works it way up and the edges of the filter containing the lint better when removing from the dryer, think of it as a train on a track, when pulling the filter, the lint stays on the filter and slightly compresses against the bottom edge which helps prevent lint fragments falling back into the rear bulkhead.

The 29" A well design machine is very easy to take apart and fix if needed!
Usually the High Heat Thermostat (Electric Dryer) or gas valve solenoids (Gas Dryer) will fail before the belt goes....
Timer failure does happen but are far a few.....