Foo - Need to buy a dryer - advice?

Ok, I've killed 2 dryers in the past year. Both were used, so I'm going to bite the bullet I guess and get a new one. I've never bought a major appliance before. Tips? Suggestions? Any brands better than others? Features? Budget is less than $500 - would really like less than $400 if I can get something that's not total crap.

Oh, and I've got a real tricky set up to install it - the space its in is almost exactly the width of the dryer itself, which makes it a neat trick to attach the vent in the back. So I'm going to have the place I buy it from deliver and install it so I don't have to mess with it.

I buy cheap dryers and expensive washers. A high quality washer will save money in the long run by being very efficient. I don't think any dryers are high efficiency (if they are then it's a con game) so I just get a cheap and functional one.

+1

I actually read that there is no such thing as an Energy Star dryer, since there is no energy efficient dryer.

The annual Consumer Reports guide just got in, if I remember I'll see what they say about brands.

Yeah, what they said. Dude, what are you doing that you killed two in a year? That said, I like Kenmore.

I use Consumer Reports, either for free at the library or pay-per-month online (or you can subscribe for a whole year too).

Find the highest rated dryers in your price range, and then go shopping. I usually take the whole list with me, because not every store carries every brand/model.

If you pay for the online version, check out the site for ratings of other things you might want to buy in the next year, like paint, electronics, yard tools, etc., and print the ratings while you have the subscription.

edit: I have bought my washer and dryer, now 9 years old, using CR, and never had a problem with them. I also bought a dishwasher same day the old one died, using the CR ratings, it's the best dishwasher I have ever had.

Sears are reliable, I think that's mostly what you're looking for. Sometimes the contractor who builds for Sears is Whirlpool, sometimes it's Maytag, and as far as I know the latter 2 build for each other from time to time, so you can get the same drier under a number of different badges but also for a number of different prices and warranty conditions. Those are the main things to look at I think. A dryer's a dryer otherwise.

Make sure you know your maximum dimensions first. Dryers aren't a standard size. I know this because I own one (that isn't a standard size). And it isn't "high capacity," either. It's just extra wide for some reason.

clothes line....clothes smell awesome when dried naturally.

Yeah, what they said. Dude, what are you doing that you killed two in a year? That said, I like Kenmore.

Its probably because of how they're hooked up to the vent. The first one I didn't know because it came with the house. When I installed the second one I had to install the vent in a weird way because of the logistics of the laundry room. Kenmore is one of the better brands I've been told so far.

Look at your house's dryer vent connection, take some measurements of distance from corner wall, etc, so you know exactly where it sits. Then look at the back of the dryers you are considering. On some, the exhaust can be moved, etc.

Home Depot carries a dryer connection kit that uses a rigid yet flexible hose and has protectors on both the dryer end and wall end to keep the vent hose from getting crushed. I believe it is made by Deflecto.

Proper hookup not only makes the dryer more efficient, but greatly reduces the chance of a lint fire.

Raven, I've always bought my washers and dryers @ Sears. But NOT at the main store. In most cities, Sears have a warehouse where they sent all the appliances that are new, but have a scratch or two. They can't have scratched appliances at their main stores (an image thing I guess).

You can ask around to find your local scratched appliances depot. I don't think they advertise it on the web site. Or maybe go to a regular Sears and ask where that warehouse is.

Last time, I wanted a tandem unit, washer below and dryer on top, digital panel, $1350 @ the main Sears store. Went to the warehouse, same model, also new, with a few scratches on the sides, $850. It worked like a charm for 6 years till I move and gave it to my sister. Is still working. I think it was a Kenmore BTW.

Good luck.

PS: Stacked is the way to go if space is limited. Kinda hard with your budget tho... but doable.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn53/RubenX_Longwood/Other/stacked-dryer-washer.jpg

Its probably because of how they're hooked up to the vent. The first one I didn't know because it came with the house. When I installed the second one I had to install the vent in a weird way because of the logistics of the laundry room. Kenmore is one of the better brands I've been told so far.

Huh. Yeah, have them do it, then if it burns out...there you are. +1 to what jsharr said. Lint fire bad.

clothes line....clothes smell awesome when dried naturally.

Except when the clothes freeze because it's FLIPPIN 25 DEGREES OUT!!!!

Except when the clothes freeze because it's FLIPPIN 25 DEGREES OUT!!!!

Ever hear of freeze dried? :innocent:

Except when the clothes freeze because it's FLIPPIN 25 DEGREES OUT!!!!

You do know where Ravenmore lives, right? I use my super efficient solar powered dryer most of the year.

Also check your craigslist for NEW washer/dryer combos. Even with the downturn in the economy people are buying houses and sometimes they come with a set that the new owners don't want. My dad picked up a very nice Samsung dryer for their house for about half of retail, it was still wrapped in plastic even.

What ever you get make sure it's front loading.

What ever you get make sure it's front loading.

Can't say I've ever seen a dryer that wasn't.

Can't say I've ever seen a dryer that wasn't.

Well I guess they don't make um then. lol

Let's see here...

A broken washer will open up the water line onto the floor and flood your house, causing thousands of dollars in damage. So, don't get a cheap washer.

A broken dryer will catch fire and simply burn the place down to a pile of smoldering embers. So, don't get a cheap dryer.

that said, the cheapest way to dry clothes is to hang them outside.

To prevent premature dryer death, make sure you do not overload your dryer! If the spin cycle on your washer is not doing it's job, your dryer is being asked to do more than it's job! Is your wash still dripping when you take it out? If so, call that maytag repairman....

Anyway, Consumer Report's top pick for your price range:

GE Profile DPSE810EG[WT]
Price: $500

Summary: This GE dryer has a stainless-steel drum, rotary controls, end-of-cycle signal, and a drying rack. It has a moisture sensor but is not stackable.

CR's Take
Overall, this is a very good dryer, with excellent drying and capacity, but it's not as quiet as most others. It comes with a 1-year warranty.

Highs
Drying performance was excellent overall and very good with our 12-lb. mixed load. This model is spacious enough to fit comforters and other bulky items.

Lows
This machine is not as quiet as most others and is not stackable. Features
Moisture sensor Yes
End-of-cycle signal Yes
Removable drying rack Yes
Extended tumble Yes
Custom programs No
Porcelain top Yes
Stainless-steel drum Yes

You do know where Ravenmore lives, right? I use my super efficient solar powered dryer most of the year.

should have looked at his location first.....:o

To prevent premature dryer death, make sure you do not overload your dryer! If the spin cycle on your washer is not doing it's job, your dryer is being asked to do more than it's job! Is your wash still dripping when you take it out? If so, call that maytag repairman....

Anyway, Consumer Report's top pick for your price range:

GE Profile DPSE810EG[WT]
Price: $500

Summary: This GE dryer has a stainless-steel drum, rotary controls, end-of-cycle signal, and a drying rack. It has a moisture sensor but is not stackable.

CR's Take
Overall, this is a very good dryer, with excellent drying and capacity, but it's not as quiet as most others. It comes with a 1-year warranty.

Highs
Drying performance was excellent overall and very good with our 12-lb. mixed load. This model is spacious enough to fit comforters and other bulky items.

Lows
This machine is not as quiet as most others and is not stackable. Features
Moisture sensor Yes
End-of-cycle signal Yes
Removable drying rack Yes
Extended tumble Yes
Custom programs No
Porcelain top Yes
Stainless-steel drum Yes

Yeah, I'd kind of targeted this one - I looked at consumer reports the other day. I think Home Depot carries it. Also, a lot of the Sears/Kenmore dryers were high on the list.

Side note - do you guys clean your house's dryer vent? I was wondering about that. I've seen attachments (on tv - not at a store anyway) that attach to a drill? Is this something I should do?

Oh, and I could probably use a new washer as well. :notamused:

I'm getting an extra windfall with my paycheck next week for selling back some vacation time to the company. It was going to go to Christmas stuff but now it looks like its earmarked for the dryer.

On cleaning the dry vent, if your dryer is easy to move away from the wall, as mine is, do the following.

Move dryer, disonnect vent from dryer and wall. Take into garage and clean out with shop vac.

Reattach to dryer and wall, and replace dryer.

Make sure to not crush the vent hose between machine and wall. Home Depot and Lowes both carry a vent hose with protectors on both ends, as I mentioned previously. Well worth the $20 or less that it costs.

Yeah, clean the vent.

We run this for the washer. I would suggest a frontloader.

http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SPECPAGE&SKU=WBVH5200JWW&SITEID=GEA&TABID=2

http://austin.craigslist.org/hsh/944261282.html