Which one of these new dryers would be a better option?

[ryner1988]

Hi guys,

Our current dryer is crapping out. I knew we should have probably replaced it when we replaced the washer months ago, but so it goes.

Anyway, I don't want a lot from a dryer. I just want to be able to dry my clothes well, and I need a low heat setting for some of my wife's more delicate clothes, but that's it.

The two links below are the two dryers I'm thinking about. One of them is a hundred dollars more though so help me decide if it's worth it to spend the extra hundred or if I'd be fine with the cheaper alternative.

Here is the actual Whirlpool model, selling for $399 right now at Lowes.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Whirlpool-7-cu-ft-Electric-Dryer-White/50354426

And here is the Roper model.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Roper-6-5-cu-ft-Electric-Dryer-White/1000067935

From what I can tell the only noticeable difference is the size, 6.5 CU feet vs. 7 CU feet, but I just can't see that making much of a difference when doing laundry.

Is there anything else I'm missing, any reason the actual Whirlpool is better, or is it mostly a brand thing?

Thanks,
Ryne

 

[henene4]

The Whirlpool has a cycle signal and one temperature setting more.

Worth 100$? Don't really think so...

 

[gansky1]

The Whirlpool is marginally (.5 cu ft) larger, and apparently has a self cleaning filter.   Hmmm.  

 

[DADoES]

 
The Whirlpool specs show an X for Self-Cleaning Lint Filter, not a checkmark ... so presumably that means it doesn't have the feature.

The Roper has temp selections built into the timer.  Auto Dry High Heat, Auto Dry Low Heat, and Timed Dry High Heat. Auto Dry High Heat has extended tumble after the cool down for further wrinkle prevention if unloading can't be done immediately, which Auto Dry Low Heat does not.

The Whirlpool has a separate temp control so any heat temp (High, Med, Low) can be used with any cycle.  Auto Dry with Low (or Med) heat and extended tumble can be had.

 

[panthera]

In the end,

The Whirlpool is just a gussied up Roper. Whether it says Maytag or Estate, they're all the same inside. I'd go with the least expensive - or fix your current dryer, if it was otherwise satisfactory.

 

[gansky1]

Ah - yes.  LOL  Checkmarked.  

 

I guess the self-cleaning search continues...

 

[dustin92]

I do think it's worth the extra $100 (if you can afford it of course, either one should dry your clothes just fine) for the seperate temp control knob, along with a medium heat setting. I dry almost everything on medium, it does take slightly longer to dry but is slightly more efficient than drying on high and I would imagine gentler on clothing. You may also appreciate the option of an end of cycle signal, which on a Whirlpool made dryer should be a short, loud, single buzz. I like the option of being able to use any heat setting with any cycle, such as when drying large items like comforters and pillows, which won't properly dry on an auto dry setting but shouldn't be exposed to high heat. This way I can set it for say 80 minutes on low heat.

 

[appnut]

I would go with the Whirlpool.  My Dependable Care Maytag is 6.2 cu. ft.  There's not much difference between 6.2 & the Roper's 6.5.  But I can tell you there's a big enough difference beetwe3en 6.5 (or 6.2) and 7.0 cu. ft.  I don't use high heat.  I use medium heat for what would be considered a load that would need high heat.  Also the flexibility of the separate temperature knob allows for you to use any of those 3 heat settings for timed dry, if you wished, as compared to timed dry being only high heat on the Roper.  My partner has the Estate version of the Roper dryer and I hate not have a separate temperature knob other than what's built into the timer. 

 

[48bencix]

Interior Light

My new dryer has an interior light. This is the first dryer that I have owned with an interior light. This Whirlpool does not have one. The next higher price one has it. Some pictures of dryers show the light but the specifications say no light. All of the other dryers I have had and they have been new and used were below the top of the line and had no lights. I do like the light and you may want to consider that feature.

 

[ryner1988]

Thanks all

Thanks, everyone for your opinions. It's much appreciated. My choice is...

Neither! My mother-in-law found us a quality used Whirlpool dryer, selling for $75 at an auction. I think the owners were just updating and didn't want it anymore bt it's still in good shape. Will be like the new model in my link above, except from about 10 years ago I believe. So I'll get the separate temperature control of the new Whirlpool, for a third of the price. My in-laws will be bringing it and setting it up in a couple weeks.

Never thought about an interior light, but I guess with me being blind, I wouldn't.

 

[appnut]

Congratulations Ryne.  Sounds like an excellent compromise. Is there a possibility someone in your family could take a picture or two and post it for us?   

 

[ryner1988]

I can certainly try to get that done. The talking program on my iPhone actually gives me the accessibility to take photos myself, so I'll see what I can do.

 

[ryner1988]

Update on the dryer situation...

In-laws came and hooked up new dryer today. Have done three loads in it so far and the only thing that has needed run through twice is this giant bedspread that is a load all by itself anyway. So I am pleased with the update. For a dryer they found at an auction, it's pretty nice.

I think it's a pretty recent version of a Whirlpool, but I'll have to get the model number from a sighted person and report back at a later date. It has the door that pulls down rather than to the side, which I honestly didn't think I'd like but I actually find quite helpful. It has a time dry that I believe goes up to 70 minutes, an auto dry, five heat settings that range from high to air fluff/no heat, a buzzer, and the wrinkle guard can be turned on and off with a knob located next to the start button. It's also quite a bit bigger than my old Roper which leads me to believe it's a 7.0 foot model. I noticed this when I was drying the blanket. It used to fill most of the Roper, but only fills this dryer about half or so. I do not know how effective time dry is as so far, I have only needed to use auto dry with medium heat.

I'll try to get some pictures up soon.

Ryne

 

[panthera]

Ryne,

It sounds like you got a good dryer - I would enjoy pics.