Questions about specs and your experiences: Speed Queen DR7

[mikel]

Great forum here with some excellent knowledge and helpful folks. I'm super psyched to have found it.

So I have an SQ washer now but doesn't mean I need to get the SQ dryer. However, I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on that purchase. Before I do I figured I would ask if anyone has experience with that unit (though I know it's pretty new.).

It'll match the washer so that's a plus.

I read through the specs and two things stood out to me though I must admit I not sure how significant these are. The DR7 uses 22.5k BTUs. This seems to be the highest I've seen with others around 20k or less (except the one maytag ...575GW). I take this to mean that the SQ unit is capable of producing more heat and this would function to dry more quickly. Does that sound reasonable or am I misunderstanding.

Second, the exhaust fan pushing 220 cfm - I can't even find cfm measurements for other units so I take that to mean 220 is significantly more than usual and worth SQ mentioning it. The awful old unit I have in my basement currently I was able to find has a 130 cfm exhaust fan.

Third is there any way to do a timed dry on this DR7 unit or is it all preset or sensor-driven? I suppose they don't offer it with mechanical controls do they?

Any thoughts or experiences you can share are greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Mike

 

[rp2813]

If you like your clothes extra crispy, a SQ dryer is the only way to go.

 

I would not own one because they lack proper moisture sensing components.

 

We had a SQ rebadged as an Amana and when the dryer was running it smelled like someone was ironing.  That is normal operation for a SQ dryer.

 

[mikel]

Could you recommend any dryer model in particular?

 

[deltablu]

I'm going to disagree on one point

The model that you cite looking at, the DR7, is a moisture sensor model. We have sold a number of the new moisture sensing models this year but because they are so new, have had limited feedback so far. If you were looking at one of the lesser models without the sensor, I would totally agree with RP2813 above. Over-drying and overheating is pretty common with the SQ dryers. On the flip side, it's hard to find another dryer with a 7 year parts and labor warranty.

 

[rp2813]

Per Ken's post above, it sounds like the DR7 is a safe bet after all. 

 

If your machines are located where they're easily visible, a matched set would look better.  Otherwise, most here will agree that Whirlpool-sourced dryers are good performers and reliable, based on a design that has been in use for more than a few decades.

 

[combo52]

Get The SQ Dryer

It is the most heavily built and easiest to repair dryer on the market at this time.

It does offer timed dry settings if you find you don't like the electronic dry settings.

While the WP designed dryers have long been a favorite of mine they are not built like they used to be, the SQ you can literately stand on.

The SQ is especially nice in the gas versions as it is the only new gas dryer you can buy where with removable of just two screws you have full access to the gas burner for service and occasional cleaning inside the dryer.

John L.

 

[gyrafoam]

I think I would look for a low mileage old gas dryer.

The TOL SQ gas dryer I bought 5 years ago or so has probably only spent six months in service.
I find it to be slow. Oh, it has nice features and is well built, however my 1969 MOL Whirlpool gas dryer runs circles around the SQ.

Perhaps the new ones are better performers, I don't know. What I do know is all the old gas dryers I have, which is four, seem to perform better. The old Whirly is my favorite gas dryer.

 

[lorainfurniture]

Speed queen dryer

The dr serious is not any different from the previous generation speed queen dryer. Obviously the cosmetic difference and the inside skin of the door is metal instead of plastic.

The sq dryer gets HOT. It dries pretty fast. If you are particular about temps or have delicate clothing this dryer is not for you. If you need to dry a lot of clothes quickly, and willing to deal with some collateral damage, then this would be a good fit.

 

[helicaldrive]

I have two TOL 9 series SQ gas dryers

And they are just fine.

They do not get very hot and they do not overdry either.

They can cause you to think they are going to overdry. I have opened the door and thought the towels were dry and yet the dash would say it had say 26 or 29 minutes to go. And I’d think jeez. But after a little experience I learned three things. First if I waited a minute the towels actually weren’t as dry as they initially seemed. Second, if I‘d watch the time remaining display, it’d suddenly drop 10 minutes or so in an instant. Then third I realized the cool down is 10 minutes, much longer than most dryers, which contributes to the perception that it’s a slow dryer. So the bottom line is when the towels seem dry yet the display says 26 or 29 more minutes, in reality it actually only heats a few more minutes out of that.

The people who say that their SQ dryer gets too hot seem to be people with the non-electronic dial models.. I suspect there’s a difference.

FWIW. Opinions always vary.

 

[mikel]

You all are the best!

Thank you so much to everyone for the input. This is an awesome forum. I can obsess over purchases like this for awhile and these replies have been very helpful. Chatted with my wife about this dryer earlier today and all is good there, so I'm going to order the DR7 on Monday. If my younger self could see me excited over the purchase of laundry equipment...

 

[mikel]

All set up.

 

[washman]

I have the old school non electronic

version. Just a stat, no moisture sensor.  On delicate, it does fine. On regular, it does get hot but the only time I use that is when I dry my washable cleaning rags.

 

[dory321]

Considering a Speed Queen dryer too

Probably interested in the DR7 cause I need to dry on delicate temperatures too. Does gas or electric make a difference in that?
I currently have a 15 year old gas Kenmore but thinking of replacing it soon. It has lower temperatures as well as high. It has been a good dryer for many years.
We bought a speed queen 2017 9 series before they changed the washer. I don't know if the newer Whirpools would be as good as our current dryer so that is why i am thinking Speed Queen this time. Unless they run too hot.
Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[combo52]

Current SQ Dryers

Will not run any hotter than your current KM Gas dryer, all SQ models have a lower heat setting.

 

There is no temperature difference between the same dryer in either gas or electric, however a gas dryer is a little easier on cotton fabrics because when you burn gas it produces moisture so a gas dryer does not have the ability to over dry fabrics as much and should cause a little less shrinkage of natural fibers.

 

John L.

 

[jbellafesta]

One of the poster's point about the 2018 TOL SQ dryer having a moisture sensor made me wonder if this feature was used in the TOL 2017 dryers like ADGE9B. Anyone know if the moisture senor was new for 2018?

 

[combo52]

Speed Queens Electronic Moisture Sensor

Has been unchanged since it was introduced in 2016, the dryers for just got face lifted for 2018.

 

John L.