New/Used Clothes Dryer Suggestions?

[combo52]

Differences Between WPs 27" & 29" Dryers

They are both good dryers, the 29" came out in 1966 and are still in production the 27s came out about 1988 and are also still in production and there is a 29" hi-bread that has a top lint filter and four support rollers.

 

In general the good things about the 29" Dryers are

Simplest most reliable and easy to repair dryer ever made.

 

One of the fastest most energy efficient dryers ever made for normal sized loads of clothing.

 

Most frequent repair, belt and rear drum rollers.

 

Good things about 27" WP built dryers are

More even drying with very large items

Quieter smother operation and longer drum support roller and belt life.

 

Bad things about the 27" dryers

Slower drying of normal loads

Much more lint accumulation inside machine and many more lint fires.

 

Biggest repair problems, bad heater box thermal fuses and more failed heater elements on electric models

More clogging problems of lint filter housing and the blower itself.

 

 

[volvoguy87]

Whirlpool 29"

With the lint screen on the top.
Reasons:
All-around top performing dryer.
Easy to clean, fix, and/or repair.
Rarely needs repair.
Parts are plentiful.
Tend to stay pretty clean inside.

I could go on, but the lint-screen-on-top dryers are, in my opinion, simply the best dryers on the market today. I don't care for the hybrid dryers (modified design of the lint-screen-on-top dryers, commonly sold with top-loading high efficiency). These dryers use some more obscure and expensive parts.

I'd look for a 29" dryer with a moisture sensor (black thing with 2 shiny metal strips on the back wall of the drum at about the 4:00 position). I'd also look for one with a drum light (located on the back wall of the drum) just for the convenience of it. Some of these dryers have bottom-hinged doors and others have side-hinged doors. Get whichever you want. Some have removable kick panels below the door, particularly on the gas models. These panels make cleaning easier and I'd look for one.

Happy drying,
Dave

 

[drewz]

Last Traditional Traditional Whirlpool Dryer

The WGD4900XW G=GAS WED E=ELECTRIC seems to be the last of those with classic hamper door, would not be surprized if it disappears soon. It does not automatically come up on Whirlpool's website, which usually means it's on it's way out.

Simply plug model number in under search and it will appear.

Whirlpool® Traditional Gas Dryer with AccuDry™ Drying System
MODEL WGD4900XW

http://www.whirlpool.com/-[WGD4900XW]-1001668/WGD4900XW/

 

[SQueenJJ]

A great Dryer

I bought a Whirlpool WED4900XW- Electric version of course in Sep 2012. I love it--- I guess its a good thing I went ahead and bought it. I bought it specifically for the hamper door instead of one that swings.

 

[whirlcool]

We love the hamper door, makes a nice platform for which you can fold clothing on.
One thing I didn't care for as noted earlier by others is the lint filter on top.
When you pull the lint filter out there always seems to be dust particles flying all over the control panel. But for how reliable it is, how fast it dries, and how accurate the auto sense drying is, I'll ignore that little fact.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

How about this avocado Westinghouse?

YUCK! Pure WCI garbage avoid them at all costs. Not to be a jackass but you really don't want those.
WK78

 

[DigAPony]

How are the 12 series era Maytag dryers?

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/app/3563933045.html

 

[whirlykenmore78]

MT 12 series dryers

Quite good from a build quality standpoint but a WP would still be better.

 

[DigAPony]

I was asking because I have spare Maytag A512 and it would make a nice matched set.

Are they easily serviceable as the Maytag washers?

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Yes

All real MT machines are very reliable and serviceable. Unless you get in to the AmanaTag or NorgeTag machines which were pieces of shit.
WK78