CR rates SQ dryers as not so good and some reviews suggest burnt clothes. What is the consensus on the SQ dryers that match their top loaders? Our old dryer is being replaced. We have a SQ washer from 2017 and now considering the SQ dryer. We bought a Maytag dryer but it slopes and it is very noisy so it's going back. We might just suck it up and pay for the SQ. Opinions?
Speed Queen Dryers
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stricklybojack
Well-known member
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I do not see the attraction to a new SQ dryer unless a matching set is that important to you.
Used, sure, why not. At a steep discount to msrp they are fine...but still there are better dryers to be had from other manufacturers at the same price used.
Ours burned a pattern on a sheet. The rear of the machine gets very hot and the load wasn't removed directly after stopping...the sheet got branded. Also the auto-dry is a joke. No way to dial in damp dry in my experience. Either bone dry or wet, live with it.
[this post was last edited: 3/24/2018-23:17]
I do not see the attraction to a new SQ dryer unless a matching set is that important to you.
Used, sure, why not. At a steep discount to msrp they are fine...but still there are better dryers to be had from other manufacturers at the same price used.
Ours burned a pattern on a sheet. The rear of the machine gets very hot and the load wasn't removed directly after stopping...the sheet got branded. Also the auto-dry is a joke. No way to dial in damp dry in my experience. Either bone dry or wet, live with it.
[this post was last edited: 3/24/2018-23:17]
It’s not for the discerning type
It’s very crude, but effective. It will last a long time. That said, they are not great in the performance department at a “fine tuning” level. It’s either too hot, or not hot enough.
I had two in my house for several months and although I was sad that to see the washers go, I wasn’t sad to see the dryers leave.
My wife could not use the medium setting (let alone high), because it shrunk her clothes. The low setting was the only option, and resulted in very long dry times. I personally never burned anything but I had several customers that have. The bottom line is that the dryer is definitely not as impressive as the washer.
You have a tough choice, I’m particular about having a matching set, so I possibly would be inclined to deal with the dryer if I had a sq washer. If you don’t care about matching set, buy a $400 whirlpool product with the lint filter on the top.
It’s very crude, but effective. It will last a long time. That said, they are not great in the performance department at a “fine tuning” level. It’s either too hot, or not hot enough.
I had two in my house for several months and although I was sad that to see the washers go, I wasn’t sad to see the dryers leave.
My wife could not use the medium setting (let alone high), because it shrunk her clothes. The low setting was the only option, and resulted in very long dry times. I personally never burned anything but I had several customers that have. The bottom line is that the dryer is definitely not as impressive as the washer.
You have a tough choice, I’m particular about having a matching set, so I possibly would be inclined to deal with the dryer if I had a sq washer. If you don’t care about matching set, buy a $400 whirlpool product with the lint filter on the top.
Matched sets are overrated.
Speed Queen Dryers
Are very rugged, simple and easy to repair, they can easily go 25,000 loads before being retired.
As others have mentioned they lack refinements in their auto dry cycles and ability to give really low and constant drying temperatures.
A new dryer today is a tough choice, like others here the 29" WP built dryers are the best performers, BUT they are very cheap and tinny now and have Chinese motors[ personally I will keep slightly vintage 29" WP built dryers for my home laundry.
You do have to keep SQ short comings in perspective however, a new SQD is a far better dryer than any dryer that GE-HP [ pre 1990 ], Maytag, Westinghouse or Frigidaire ever built in terms of durability and temperature control, so a SQD really is not that bad.
John L.
Are very rugged, simple and easy to repair, they can easily go 25,000 loads before being retired.
As others have mentioned they lack refinements in their auto dry cycles and ability to give really low and constant drying temperatures.
A new dryer today is a tough choice, like others here the 29" WP built dryers are the best performers, BUT they are very cheap and tinny now and have Chinese motors[ personally I will keep slightly vintage 29" WP built dryers for my home laundry.
You do have to keep SQ short comings in perspective however, a new SQD is a far better dryer than any dryer that GE-HP [ pre 1990 ], Maytag, Westinghouse or Frigidaire ever built in terms of durability and temperature control, so a SQD really is not that bad.
John L.
stchuck
Well-known member
I just sold my SQ dryer.. I must agree with the other posts... it either fried the clothes or left them wet and the auto dry was a joke like mentioned previously. I now own the Maytag dryer that matches the commercial grade washer they recently introduced. Its actually quieter than the SQ and so far it has been consistent in its drying results. The only thing that drives me crazy is the end of the cycle buzzer which sounds the same as a very basic dryer I had 20 years ago. There are no options to stop this feature or I would permanently shut it off. GRRRR. I will get used to it though. I jumped about 10 feet when the first few loads completed.
stricklybojack
Well-known member
.
I think if you open up the control panel disabling the buzzer would be as easy as disconnecting the wires that run to it.
I think if you open up the control panel disabling the buzzer would be as easy as disconnecting the wires that run to it.
stchuck
Well-known member
strickly
I hate to mess with something new, but now that you mention it, I will probably open it up and see if its that simple, it probably is. I hope so. When I do it I will report back because I have read other reviews that state they love the dryer but hate the buzzer. I think some of them are even on Maytag's site, can't remember.
Thank you for your post, it is appreciated.
I hate to mess with something new, but now that you mention it, I will probably open it up and see if its that simple, it probably is. I hope so. When I do it I will report back because I have read other reviews that state they love the dryer but hate the buzzer. I think some of them are even on Maytag's site, can't remember.
Thank you for your post, it is appreciated.
stricklybojack
Well-known member
.
Here is a simple how-to guide...
http://https//www.hunker.com/13410550/how-to-disable-a-dryers-buzzer
Here is a simple how-to guide...
http://https//www.hunker.com/13410550/how-to-disable-a-dryers-buzzer
stchuck
Well-known member
Excellent, thanks again!
kelvinator
New member
which dryer to buy
The clear choice would be a Whirlpool made dryer with the lint filter on the top, if not having a matching set doesn't bother you. They are significantly less money than the sq dryer and are far superior in performance.
The clear choice would be a Whirlpool made dryer with the lint filter on the top, if not having a matching set doesn't bother you. They are significantly less money than the sq dryer and are far superior in performance.
I have never had a Whirlpool/Kenmore dryer that I have liked. I want my clothes dryer to DRY the clothes especially towels and heavy loads. I have never had consistent or satisfying results with a WP/KM dryer. I hate the lint filter on top as well, all it does is make a huge mess with fine lint!
I have my SQ dryer over 9 years and never had an issue with performance and I am also into having a matched set.
I also liked my 1990's GE (filter-flo era) dryer as well.
A dryer should dry clothes, I have never had an issue with burned clothes in my SQ
I have my SQ dryer over 9 years and never had an issue with performance and I am also into having a matched set.
I also liked my 1990's GE (filter-flo era) dryer as well.
A dryer should dry clothes, I have never had an issue with burned clothes in my SQ
The trick w/the WP topmount filter is pull it out for cleaning while the machine is running. The bits of lint will get sucked down and out ... but carefully so a large wad of lint doesn't come off and get down there.
it's all in the wrist!
Agreed with other posts about SQ dryers running way too hot. We had an Amana pair (SQ clones) and the dryer ran so hot that the air being discharged out of the vent smelled like somebody was ironing the clothes. The only setting it knew was "extra crispy."
I would never recommend a SQ dryer under any circumstances. Find an older Whirlpool or Kenmore with the filter access on top and you'll be happy with it.
I would never recommend a SQ dryer under any circumstances. Find an older Whirlpool or Kenmore with the filter access on top and you'll be happy with it.
I've had 3 dryers--1978 big door GE with electronic sensor; 1986 LK; 1993 ? Maytag Dependable Care. I got rid of the GE pair when the speed clutch went out and was going to cost more $$ than I was willing to spend. The thing I didn't like about the dry3er was the two auto dry cycles, the two fabric buttons selected high heat only. Low heat was timed dry only, I felt that was unacceptable. The LK dryer was wonderful, but at 7 years of age, the motor seized up. And with the extra large drum and drop down door, I almost fell in way too many times. I needed a dryer with a side-swing door. Hence the Maytag, the TOL electromechanical dial model. The only downside is the 6.2 cu. ft. drum was a challenge for full loads from the Lady Shredmore. And with my Duet, full loads sometimes have to be split up. Whenever I have to get a new dryer, it will be a WP product, but it will have a side-swing door. Wouldn't mind having something that will be "compatible" with my 2011 Duet washer, although won't be a control panel definite match.
twintubdexter
Well-known member
<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">My brand new Speed Queen dryer is superior to the others I've owned...Frigidaire, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag, Norge (all gas) and a portable Hitachi. As a kid I dried a few things in my mom's old Apex gas dryer but it was too long ago to remember how well it worked. I do recall the glass window in the door got very hot. Prep time to operate it...lighting pilot with automotive spark plug, ignition and then setting timer and looking through burner viewing window to make sure everything was kosher, was time consuming but fun.</span>
I've never singed anything in my SQ dryer. There are only two temp options - delicate, regular/perm press, air fluff/no heat. I don't use the auto dry function; it takes too long. Most of my clothes are dried on the delicate setting and it takes about an hour for a full load. Towels I dry on regular heat. They take about 80 to a hundred minutes depending on how many bath sheets (extra large/thick bath towels) are included.
Here in Oz we don't have much choice with full-size dryers that match a full-size top loader. However, I can't complain as my dryer is a far superior choice to the regular fare that is available. Most Aussie laundries don't have a dedicated space for a full-size dryer, especially one that vents to the outside and requires a 20 AMP power outlet. Mostly Australian dryers are compact, hung above the washing machine, they vent into the room, take between half to two thirds of a regular wash load and require two to three times longer to dry what I can dry in an hour or less.
So, yes, I am very happy with my SQ dryer.
Here in Oz we don't have much choice with full-size dryers that match a full-size top loader. However, I can't complain as my dryer is a far superior choice to the regular fare that is available. Most Aussie laundries don't have a dedicated space for a full-size dryer, especially one that vents to the outside and requires a 20 AMP power outlet. Mostly Australian dryers are compact, hung above the washing machine, they vent into the room, take between half to two thirds of a regular wash load and require two to three times longer to dry what I can dry in an hour or less.
So, yes, I am very happy with my SQ dryer.
Tony singed a sofa cover in my GE once! I always used LOW heat all the time every time. He, being the laundry EXPERT that he is (sarcasm intended) would switch it to HI heat...and it scorched! Our current Frigidaire is not near as hot...I use the towels setting for nearly everything.
I used a SQ electric coin op dryer in Florida 2 years ago. It was new. That thing was so hot.
I used a SQ electric coin op dryer in Florida 2 years ago. It was new. That thing was so hot.
I appreciate the comments. It's certainly a toss up. The Maytag is going back. It rattled from the start and now it's squeaking. The knob to start it is extremely cheap feeling. Plus the top slopes and the clothes slide off. Drying performance was actually good. Lowes has a great return policy. Our SQ wouldn't match regardless because we have last years washer. The store that sells them sells every one they can get. The top line has an unprecedented 7 year warranty. We're leaning to go in that direction.
There Is Nothing WRONG With SQ Dryers
They are rugged, fast, easy to service [ every functional part can be serviced-replaced without even moving the machine ], even a motor change only takes 15 minutes, try that on most newer dryers.
A new SQD will outlast 2-3 new LG, Samsung, GE or Electrolux dryers and the steel cabinets are strong enough to stand on.
Yes I do like the 29" WP built dryers but they are not what they used to be.
After selling and repairing SQ appliances for the last12 years I have not seen ONE single part that has been cheapened, every time I work on other brands of laundry appliances you see ways they are making them cheaper and cheaper and harder to service, going to heaven to me would be only having to work on SQ FL washers and their dryers.
John L.
They are rugged, fast, easy to service [ every functional part can be serviced-replaced without even moving the machine ], even a motor change only takes 15 minutes, try that on most newer dryers.
A new SQD will outlast 2-3 new LG, Samsung, GE or Electrolux dryers and the steel cabinets are strong enough to stand on.
Yes I do like the 29" WP built dryers but they are not what they used to be.
After selling and repairing SQ appliances for the last12 years I have not seen ONE single part that has been cheapened, every time I work on other brands of laundry appliances you see ways they are making them cheaper and cheaper and harder to service, going to heaven to me would be only having to work on SQ FL washers and their dryers.
John L.
FWIW
I have two SQ dryers, the 9 electronic series with 4 temps (no heat, delicate, regular, and heavy duty).
At first I thought hmmm this dryer takes longer than my Newton Iowa Maytags did. And it took a little while to figure out what temp and dryness setting to use to get the result I wanted.
But once I got the hang of it, I get the exact result I want every time.
Both dryers perform identically.
It never ever balls sheets up, which is a huge plus for me. Also it actually properly tumbles a single item or just a handful of socks. Not many dryers can do that!
The build quality is so nice. It’s very quiet and smooth. The steel drum and fins never get blue stains with new jeans, and there’s no chipping or scratching like painted drums. It’d probably dry faster if it had a larger lint screen design like Newton IA Maytags or WP.
I dunno. For fun I put a digital roasting thermometer in it, empty on heavy duty; it topped 170 degrees but the exhaust vent never felt really hot. It’s never gotten too hot on me. Maybe there’s a difference with the knob or 8 series. ? I never use heavy duty. It seems to overdry on heavy duty and towels come out rough (like they did with my Maytag). Regular seems like the right temp for everything and you get the dryness result stated on the buttons. Low is very low. I can’t envision it ever actually drying a load on the low heat setting. That’s not a problem for me. I like to use it for clothes like polo shirts and khaki pants which I just dry on low for 15 minutes to dewrinkle and then I hang them to dry.
It does a perfect job of drying loads of underwear and socks on regular temp,near dry. The laundry is dry enough to fold but not over dried, even socks although they’re thicker. I dunno. It seems to be very easy on clothes. I don’t have socks and elastic pooping out from being over dried on heat too high.
If I did dry clothes all the way I’d use regular temp and less dry so the seams would be slightly damp and it’d stop before shrinkage.
It suits me just fine. Other people (with different laundry practices or needs?) have voiced frustration, so I dunno.
My vents are relatively short and direct with rigid metal and the shutter type vent covers outside, FWIW.
I have two SQ dryers, the 9 electronic series with 4 temps (no heat, delicate, regular, and heavy duty).
At first I thought hmmm this dryer takes longer than my Newton Iowa Maytags did. And it took a little while to figure out what temp and dryness setting to use to get the result I wanted.
But once I got the hang of it, I get the exact result I want every time.
Both dryers perform identically.
It never ever balls sheets up, which is a huge plus for me. Also it actually properly tumbles a single item or just a handful of socks. Not many dryers can do that!
The build quality is so nice. It’s very quiet and smooth. The steel drum and fins never get blue stains with new jeans, and there’s no chipping or scratching like painted drums. It’d probably dry faster if it had a larger lint screen design like Newton IA Maytags or WP.
I dunno. For fun I put a digital roasting thermometer in it, empty on heavy duty; it topped 170 degrees but the exhaust vent never felt really hot. It’s never gotten too hot on me. Maybe there’s a difference with the knob or 8 series. ? I never use heavy duty. It seems to overdry on heavy duty and towels come out rough (like they did with my Maytag). Regular seems like the right temp for everything and you get the dryness result stated on the buttons. Low is very low. I can’t envision it ever actually drying a load on the low heat setting. That’s not a problem for me. I like to use it for clothes like polo shirts and khaki pants which I just dry on low for 15 minutes to dewrinkle and then I hang them to dry.
It does a perfect job of drying loads of underwear and socks on regular temp,near dry. The laundry is dry enough to fold but not over dried, even socks although they’re thicker. I dunno. It seems to be very easy on clothes. I don’t have socks and elastic pooping out from being over dried on heat too high.
If I did dry clothes all the way I’d use regular temp and less dry so the seams would be slightly damp and it’d stop before shrinkage.
It suits me just fine. Other people (with different laundry practices or needs?) have voiced frustration, so I dunno.
My vents are relatively short and direct with rigid metal and the shutter type vent covers outside, FWIW.
Duh
Forgot to say: mine are gas.
Forgot to say: mine are gas.
So the dealer actually had a new in box of last year's model that will match which is what we are getting. It should also come with the piece that keeps socks from falling into the lint trap. This year's model does not, you have to buy it extra. I hope my Electric performs as well as the Gas dryer described by HelicalDrive and we'll be quite happy.
New SQ Dryer
I am sure you will be happy with this dryer, there is almost no difference between the performance behind full sized vented gas and electric dryers.
The main difference is cost of operation, you save enough to pay back the cost of the dryer if you use natural gas and the gas dryer causes only about 1/3 of the damage to the environment in terms of carbon dioxide production.
The little lint filter guard is a mixed blessing, I find it easier to just scoop the lint out of the filter before you drag your dry clothes out of the dryer so they don't fall in the lint [ As a dealer I am glad SQ eliminated it ]
John L.
I am sure you will be happy with this dryer, there is almost no difference between the performance behind full sized vented gas and electric dryers.
The main difference is cost of operation, you save enough to pay back the cost of the dryer if you use natural gas and the gas dryer causes only about 1/3 of the damage to the environment in terms of carbon dioxide production.
The little lint filter guard is a mixed blessing, I find it easier to just scoop the lint out of the filter before you drag your dry clothes out of the dryer so they don't fall in the lint [ As a dealer I am glad SQ eliminated it ]
John L.
Hope it works
out and that you will be happy with your new SQ dryer!
out and that you will be happy with your new SQ dryer!
Power supply In The US and most other countries as well
Basically all solar, wind and hydro energy produced is used at all times, there are very few times if any when a particular power grid is being completely supplies by these renewable sources, hopefully some day they will be.
But today when ever you turn on any real power draw they make up the difference by burning more NG, oil or coal, and even if they are using NG to run that electric dryer they have to burn 2-3 times as much gas compared just burning the NG in the gas dryer.
They do not turn turn up production of the sun or wind etc when you turn on your dryer.
John L.
Basically all solar, wind and hydro energy produced is used at all times, there are very few times if any when a particular power grid is being completely supplies by these renewable sources, hopefully some day they will be.
But today when ever you turn on any real power draw they make up the difference by burning more NG, oil or coal, and even if they are using NG to run that electric dryer they have to burn 2-3 times as much gas compared just burning the NG in the gas dryer.
They do not turn turn up production of the sun or wind etc when you turn on your dryer.
John L.
spinmon
Well-known member
SQ fine
Our SQ electric dryer is almost 6 years old and performs well. It does seem hotter at times than our '96 KM '90',but overall the SQ does a good job.
DO watch for build-up on the heat inlet grill. I guess it's burnt liquid softener. Ours gets sharp carbon-like crusts on it that can't be good on clothes. I've replaced the grill once and try to keep it scraped clean now. The 'carbon' is mostly on the lower rows of holes in the grill.
SQ should CONCAVE this grill like WP/KM so the laundry isn't so constantly contacting it. As is,a minimalist design on an otherwise very good machine.
Our SQ electric dryer is almost 6 years old and performs well. It does seem hotter at times than our '96 KM '90',but overall the SQ does a good job.
DO watch for build-up on the heat inlet grill. I guess it's burnt liquid softener. Ours gets sharp carbon-like crusts on it that can't be good on clothes. I've replaced the grill once and try to keep it scraped clean now. The 'carbon' is mostly on the lower rows of holes in the grill.
SQ should CONCAVE this grill like WP/KM so the laundry isn't so constantly contacting it. As is,a minimalist design on an otherwise very good machine.
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