It continues for I believe 30-40 minutes (continues to tumble without heat). I would believe this to be much easier on the motor - my 03 WP stops and restarts the dryer (lights dim) for 1 min then stops and cycles over. The signal sounds every 10 minutes. Note on the signal, although you can adjust it, it is still quite loud on the min setting for a condo (if you're near it), but it can get really loud for a basement option. The buzzer is interesting--it will buzz for end of cycle about 15 seconds before tumbling stops...reverse of what normal dryers do.
And while we are on the subject of dryers, the SQ has some interesting qualities. The very first thing I noticed was that the door seemed flimsy as I tried to close it gently on the corner...well, I was being too gentle, it's really ment to be closed with a good swing--after that, never had any concerns as I get a good quality THUNK. Just use to my old WP shelf design which is quite heavy. The door reversing is ubber simple. Being use to the WP, sometimes I miss not having the "shelf" door when I'm at the condo, but the swing out on the SQ is nice too as it's easier just to scoot the basket right under the door opening (which is HUGE).
The interior is galvanized steel - no tin here - just like in the laundromat, it gets very hot, and the auto sensing settings (avg about an hour) are all that I use...too lazy to figure out time settings.
I seem to have best luck out of the "delicate" heat setting, which seem to produce the least wrinkles. The "Auto Wrinkle Out" feature is awesome - runs about 30 mins with cool down and is for anyone (like me) who believes the dryer is an iron in disguise. I've been very impressed with how it works--much better than the "Tumble Press" option I have on the WP.
I am attempting to learn how to do better laundry from being educated by the owner manuals. No more towels and sheets...towels stay wet, sheets dry as a desert...at first I thought it was the dryer, then I realized it's me. I dry most everything 1/2 way between "More Dry" and "Less Dry".
The interior light is brighter than most and located above the lint filter. The lint filter is an interesting beast. It has a protective grate on top that comes out, it's secured with a screw and is a small design...which actually forces you to clean it after each load like you should. Sometimes the lint can be tricky to get out--a simple 1" paint/pastry brush is perfect--works like a charm to get thin lint out after a load. After the education, I find the design much better and safer than an "out of sight" version.
The drum rolls the opposite direction of my WP. As with all SQs, most all of the items can be serviced from the front. The dryer is as quiet as my WP TOL, but will get a bit noisey with zippers on the galvanized steel.
Just to revisit Amana's...I just visited my aunt today who has fairly new Amana's (not sure of the date). It had a VERY flimsy design and a bizzare straight-vane agitator that was quiet tall and spikey looking fins on the agitator. THe dryer was very flimsy as well. I'm guessing this was post SQ production and before they got out of the TL business.
I did consider the FLs, but for 3 loads a week max, I'll never justify the purchase. I would suggest anyone go to a laundromat (as I did) and give them a spin--just be sure it's new like the current models as they have changed drastically over the past 10 years. I would love to hear anyone's comments on their FL experience with SQ. Luckily my local laundromat had the new FLs. I called SQ (during the Amana call) and the guy said that any FL will vibrate...and unless it was a concrete floor, he would not recommend the purchase. I have seen people at Lowe's buying FLs for mobile homes. I can't imagine the trouble. SQ suggests a bolt down kit for those types of installations. For the price of the FL, I got both TOL washer and dryer. I paid like 570 for the washer and like 470 for the dryer...very good prices for SQ, most other areas are higher.
Please ask any questions you would like--I'm an open book. Like I've said before, I spent 6 months researching.
