Vintage GE set

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Say what Tom? lol

 

This is my all time favorite dryer- DDE5300BAL. A true long life no nonsense workhorse with a very elegantly designed electrical system.

 

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A true ideal dream dryer would be the same cycle concept and double heaters but in a Whirlpool top filter version with hamper door, drum light, beefed up frame, rollers, belt and idlers. 
 
A 5600 watt heating element that’s way too close for comfort. Was weary of using the stacked GE set at my sister’s former apartment when I visited in Arizona, also took a long time to dry, the vent was clean and unobstructed.

Not to mention, the heating element on these had a tendency to ‘droop’ which could either cause the heating element to short out, or cause a grounding heating element which would cause the dryer to run all out creating a dangerous situation.

While to Maytag HOH has its idiosyncrasies and quirks and has been debated and discussed numerous times in the archives, trust the HOH more those these GEs.
 
Hence why they make these:

 


 

 

Ultimately I'd like to see this concept adapted to a Whirlpool dryer instead. The heating elements wouldn't be directly behind the clothes and you'd get much faster drying with the Whirlpool design of course. 

 

 

It is debatable if a stat that cuts out at a lower temp but still cycles a 5600 watt heater is true, genuine low heat. The Whirlpool version I imagine would have two elements, a 1250 and a 4350 watt element. On low heat only the 1,250 watt element would run and not likely to exceed delicate temps. Normal heat would be around 140*F controlled by the main stat, the way I like it.
 
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Sean, its actually two heating elements. Normal heat runs both, knits runs one of them. The concept is elegant and to my tastes. 

 

Execution was poor however. The elements do fail exactly as you mention, and I've seen hair pins and wire clothes hangers poke through the drum holes and tear the elements off their supports into a coiled ball at the apartment scrap pile.  

 

On the flip side, these dryers lasted and lasted when taken care of. You also got a real 130 minute none temperature graded normal cycle with a 5 minute cool down. 
 
Tom, if what you're saying is to be taken as an axiom you would not have posted to begin with. You made an asseveration out in the open forum inviting a riposte from anyone reading in the same manner Laundress made a public query opening the door to an opportunity which you seized. A response that to be frank gives no detail on your inference, borderline disparaging Laundress's effort.

 

 

This GE set was a true economically priced workhouse which outperformed and outlasted most everything sold today. The washer lasted 15-20 years and the dryer often lasted 30+ years without repair. There are still many of these kicking around today. Both are easy to use, solid, worth repairing, relatively easy to fix, quiet running, thorough results, and of course no nonsense. Beautifully designed inside and out. That and this GE set has great sentimental value for me. I hear the Opera Lohengrin when I see GE pairs such as these. I thank Launderess immensely for posting this Bid.  

 

Just because you don't like them doesn't mean they weren't a success or those who used them or check all my boxes. The dryer in particular I'd install and use without fear, only in sublime appreciation and divine celebration. If everyone were like me an improved, evolved version of this dryer would absolutely dominate the laundry market.  
 
GE dryers

I have found my standard capacity GE dryers perform very well with the moisture sensing “Versatronic” sensors. These use two heating elements, one activated for low heat and both for high heat. I’ve only ever had to replace one set of elements on my Americana large dryer. Electrical issues I encountered were a fractured terminal block that caused a short as well as a bad thermostatic switch that shorted. Otherwise, these things are like cockroaches and will run for many years.
 
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