Opinions wanted-Best performing "vintage" Dryers?

[blackstone]

I did sell 2 Blackstone dryers (one electric, one gas) that were new-in-box. Jon bought one. I remember he did post pictures long time ago. These dryers matched the 350 washer.

The model with the French doors was an older model, to match the 250 washer. The red knob was infinite temperature control.

I think I still have some 3" vent pipe; don't know what to use it for.

 

[vacman1961]

I would say that a 29" Whirlpool built dryer with the oval opening and drop down hamper door is probably the best all around dryer out there. But I have to say, I remember as a kid my Mom had a 1972 Westinghouse dryer in our weekend house up in the Catskills and it had "cross vane tumbling" I never remember her complaining that sheets were all balled up and didn't dry in the middle like our GE did in our regular house. The Westinghouse wasn't used much and I remember my Dad had replaced the timer a few times due to the heat contact burning off and the machine not heating, while our GE that was used regularly never broke.

 

[ken]

I probably wouldn't be drying large loads that often. More like small to medium. The largest loads I could see would be bedding.

 

[gansky1]

Tom makes good points about load sizes and different machines.

I love the super-sized 29" WP dryers. The late 80's-early 90's KitchenAid was probably their finest of the long genealogy for this style. I also have a '67 Lady Kenmore dryer that I adore, I put a rebuild kit on it a few months ago in under and hour and it's a brand new machine again. Of the five installed dryers in my collection, all but one are Whirlpool/Kenmore.

I picked up a late 80's BOL Maytag electric dryer today and it's a solidly built, reliable performer. No complaints, clothes are always dry on Auto-Regular.

 

[askolover]

my grandmother

had an early/mid 60's GE that she used for about 40 years....it NEVER needed anything done to it!  Had the fluorescent light in the panel.  It always dried well.  My other grandmother had a late 60's/early 70's Kenmore(WP) with the plastic slanted control panel, basic machine with the drop down door and it lasted at least 30 years until she couldn't live alone anymore but was still going strong too...and it dried many loads of my grandfather's denim overalls!

 

[whirlaway]

1955 Frogeye Kenmore

I use mine every other day!!!!! My second frogeye in 35 years.Great dryers,I just took mine apart and greased it and cleaned it good. Well built,my dog loves his bed towels when they come out! I use the matching washer as much! Just put a new wig-wag in it and belt what a difference!

 

[dartman]

Had good luck with the last Whirlpool top filter dryer we had, worked well for years except for burning out
The overheat protection thing and the push to start button just before I bought a new huge Kenmore/Whirlpool 8.8 cf dryer that so far seems to work very well since about March.
Those old Whirlpools are easy to work on and parts are cheap when you need them too.
Tried to give it to my mom after taking apart the switch and fixing it but it sat and got full of water and she was scared to wait for it to dry out and try it so she bought a rebuilt early 2000 Whirlpool for 300 that matched the washer she bought at Costco about that time frame. I guess free wasn't good enough even when I said if it didn't work once dried out the switch or anything else would be cheap.

 

[ken]

Looks like 60s WP built Kenmore. Anyone know what year?

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Easy answer:

Any Whirlpool/Kenmore/KitchenAid super capacity top filter dryer with the Easy-Loader door and electronic dryness sensors are the best. IMO
WK78