Need Appliance advice

[JTHunter]

I need your advice and suggestions for a new electric clothes dryer.
The one I have is a GE and about 16 years old.  I don't know whether the plug is a 3 or 4 prong as my brother and I didn't pay attention to that when we were cleaning out the vent last month.
And that vent is going to be a problem as well because it comes out of the dryer, makes a 90 left turn, a 90 down turn, and at least 1 more turn before heading for the outlet in a foundation vent in the front of the house.  Not counting those turns, the straight line run is at least 15 feet.  I have a brush to clean out the vent but it only goes about 10-12' with all those turns making it hard to get around them.  After brushing the pipe, I use an electric leaf blower to blow what has been loosened up out through the vent.
I need a dryer that can handle a long run without breaking the bank.
This dryer did something weird the other day.  I usually use the "time" cycle rather than the "auto-dry" as when I first used that setting, it didn't dry the clothes completely.  I had started the dryer and it ran for about 30 minutes, then stopped.  I rotated the dial to "auto-dry", pushed start - nothing.  Tried "delicates" with the same result.  Went back to "time", ditto.  Went and washed dishes and brushed my teeth and came back tried "time" again - and it ran !  It actually ran longer that second time and finished the load.
For how much longer it runs is the question !
I've looked at Home Depot, Best Buy, and Lowe's and checked out 3 machines.  Lowe's & Best Buy had the same GE model (GTD48EASWWB) but BB was a few bucks higher.  HD had the lowest priced dryer, a Hotpoint (made by GE according to the clerk) but it's questionable if it could handle a long vent.  GTD model is a 7.2 cu.ft. and says it can handle a 120' vent.  The Hotpoint is only 6.2 cf  and both machines are 27" wide which is about all the space I have.

Do any of you have any suggestions for a 27" wide dryer that can handle a long vent?

[K Frame]

"I usually use the "time" cycle rather than the "auto-dry" as when I first used that setting, it didn't dry the clothes completely.  I had started the dryer and it ran for about 30 minutes, then stopped.  I rotated the dial to "auto-dry", pushed start - nothing.  Tried "delicates" with the same result.  Went back to "time", ditto.  Went and washed dishes and brushed my teeth and came back tried "time" again - and it ran !"

That tells me one thing... given that it happened right after you "cleaned" the vent, you didn't get the vent clean enough, it's partially clogged, and the dryer overheated and threw the thermal cutout switch.

Once the thermal switch cooled and reset, it restarted.

You need to figure out how to get the last couple of feet of vent cleaned because that's where your partial clog is.

[K Frame]

You may need to take the cover off the vent where it exits the house and put the brush in from that end.

Brush it to break up anything sticking to the sides of the pipe, the use your leaf blower again from the dryer side.

Leave the outside louver/cover/screen off and blow it out. I bet you get a BUNCH of junk out.

And I bet it doesn't overheat again.

[Ben]

You need to figure out how to get the last couple of feet of vent cleaned because that's where your partial clog is.

This sounds like a good place to start before buying a new dryer. It might be a good investment to hire a pro with good equipment to get that hose really clean and verify that a clog isn't your problem.

[JTHunter]

"I usually use the "time" cycle rather than the "auto-dry" as when I first used that setting, it didn't dry the clothes completely.  I had started the dryer and it ran for about 30 minutes, then stopped.  I rotated the dial to "auto-dry", pushed start - nothing.  Tried "delicates" with the same result.  Went back to "time", ditto.  Went and washed dishes and brushed my teeth and came back tried "time" again - and it ran !"

That tells me one thing... given that it happened right after you "cleaned" the vent, you didn't get the vent clean enough, it's partially clogged, and the dryer overheated and threw the thermal cutout switch.

Once the thermal switch cooled and reset, it restarted.

You need to figure out how to get the last couple of feet of vent cleaned because that's where your partial clog is.

No clog.  Vent was cleaned about a month ago and the dryer has been used multiple times since then.  Brother was outside to see what came out and said many small chunks blew out the uncapped pipe.
When I called my brother about this strange stop/start, he also suggested a thermal switch on the motor.  He said that, when these motors start to go, they sometimes act up like this.

[Jim147]

Is the vent all smooth metal pipe? That flex crap hates doing distance. If it is metal sections, you should be able to take it apart in the middle and clean from there.

As far as a brand, I'm not sure. Mine I bought in 1996, and it is still going strong. I've worked on it a few times, but I always have spare parts sitting around here for it. Go find some old lady moving into a retirement home with a 30-40 year old Whirlpool.

[JTHunter]

Is the vent all smooth metal pipe? That flex crap hates doing distance. If it is metal sections, you should be able to take it apart in the middle and clean from there.

As far as a brand, I'm not sure. Mine I bought in 1996, and it is still going strong. I've worked on it a few times, but I always have spare parts sitting around here for it. Go find some old lady moving into a retirement home with a 30-40 year old Whirlpool.

My problem is that, at 70 and arthritic as "H", trying to negotiate that narrow crawlspace is not very appealing.   

[Kingcreek]

Speed Queen commercial.

[JTHunter]

Speed Queen commercial.

Haven't seen those at the 3 stores.  One store I didn't think of is Menard's that was suggested to me yesterday but I haven't gone yet.
Will use your post for a search.  Thanks !

[Kingcreek]

We purchased SQ commercial washer and dryer based on the recommendations of an appliance service tech. Couldn’t be happier.
Probably won’t find them at a big box store.

[Ben]

Speed Queen commercial.

I will throw Maytag commercial into that mix as well.

Back in Santa Barbara, I had one of the fancy front load washer dryer combos and ended up hating it. Way too many options on the digital menus, and the stupid washer never got the clothes clean to my liking because of the stupid water saver stuff.

When I moved here, for some reason the little town of 2000 has one of the biggest furniture stores in the valley and when I went there griping about my old set, they highly recommended both the Maytag and Speed Queen commercial machines. No fancy digital stuff - all analog dials, and the top load washer takes a full load of water to clean clothes. Dryer works great too, though for clothes, I just run it for 5-10 minutes and then rack dry them, but for stuff like the bed comforter, no problem getting it dry lickty split. Made in USA, 10 year warranty. I think pre-covid, I paid $1600 for the set.

[K Frame]

Castle Key and his wife purchased a Speed Queen commercial washer and dryer when they moved into the retirement crib in 2018.

As far as I know the dryer has been fine, but they've had issues with the washer, primarily, I think, the lid switch and lock. Keeps giving them issues.

[K Frame]

OK, that said...

When was the last time you pulled the dryer cabinet apart and vacuumed out the interior?

I do it with my unit every other year.

It's amazing how much dog fur builds up on the interior of the cabinet around the motor, and how much lint is stuck in the exhaust pathways.

First time I did it I found that the squirrel cage fan was almost completely clogged with lint.

[HankB]

. . . After brushing the pipe, I use an electric leaf blower to blow what has been loosened up out through the vent . . .[/b][/font]

I use the vacuum function of an electric Toro leaf blower to suck the loose lint out of my exhaust pipe and the back of the dryer. I had to make an adapter out of an old coffee can to mate the input of the leaf blower to the dryer duct, and I duct tape an old pillow case over the blower nozzle to catch (much of) the lint. First time I tried it the leaf blower clogged repeatedly from all the lint - now I try to do it at least once a year.

[Brad Johnson]

Late to the party but agreed with the initial assessment... you have a clogged vent and the dryer tripped off on overheat.

If you have a BookFace account, post about needing the vent cleaned and see if some of your close by peeps have a recommendation.

Brad

[JTHunter]

The lowest priced SQ I could find in my search was over $1,100, over twice the prices I have found so far elsewhere.

HankB - I just use some old rags around the nozzle of my blower.  I can't use the vacuum  as it is on the bottom of the blower and the safety cover only opens 90 degrees.  Even if it could be removed, it doesn't have the power to "suck" when compared to its ability to "blow".

K Frame - I have never taken off the back panel to access the insides.  The closest I came to that was when my brother replaced those little Teflon tabs on the rim of the drum many years ago.  And I haven't done that since.

[JTHunter]

Late to the party but agreed with the initial assessment... you have a clogged vent and the dryer tripped off on overheat.

If you have a BookFace account, post about needing the vent cleaned and see if some of your close by peeps have a recommendation.

Brad

Not clogged.  Vent had been cleared out just a month ago and had been blown out.

[K Frame]

"Vent had been cleared out just a month ago and had been blown out."

"K Frame - I have never taken off the back panel to access the insides.  The closest I came to that was when my brother replaced those little Teflon tabs on the rim of the drum many years ago.  And I haven't done that since."

OK, I just re-read your initial message, and really, it's a supposition that the vent was completely blown free. Without being able to visually inspect it, you're not sure.

But, say that it was fully cleared, there are still two possibilities on the table...

One, the motor is going, or two, the internals are clogged with accumulated lint that is causing it to overheat. It can be pretty frightening what can build up inside the internal workings of a dryer.

And, when I say taking it apart, I don't just mean pulling the back panel off. You can get partial access that way. When I deep clean mine, the top, front, AND back come off.

That allows me to inspect the rollers and the belt and make replacement plans. Pulling the front also allows me to get into the internal passages that are part of the door assembly to get them fully cleaned out of the lint that accumulates in there.

In fact, I've not done my dryer since I blew my knee out 2 years ago. I need to get that done.

So, realistically, you nothing to loose, but potentially everything to gain, by pulling the cabinet apart and giving everything a good inspection and cleaning.

You might find that everything is perfect. No lint build up. If that's the case, then you really need to start making plans for a new dryer just in case the motor is going and it's not an issue that came out of nowhere and doesn't repeat itself.

[JTHunter]

OK, I just re-read your initial message, and really, it's a supposition that the vent was completely blown free. Without being able to visually inspect it, you're not sure.

No, I'm not sure but there appeared to be little or no obstruction when we blew the pipe out.  My brother was watching and only small chunks came out.

But, say that it was fully cleared, there are still two possibilities on the table...

One, the motor is going, or two, the internals are clogged with accumulated lint that is causing it to overheat. It can be pretty frightening what can build up inside the internal workings of a dryer.

My brother also suggested the motor was going.  One problem with that was that, after it stopped the first time, when it was restarted, the dryer ran for a longer time than BEFORE it had stopped.

And, when I say taking it apart, I don't just mean pulling the back panel off. You can get partial access that way. When I deep clean mine, the top, front, AND back come off.

Unfortunately, I'm unable to take the dryer apart as I have neither knowledge, skills, or tools.

That allows me to inspect the rollers and the belt and make replacement plans. Pulling the front also allows me to get into the internal passages that are part of the door assembly to get them fully cleaned out of the lint that accumulates in there.

In fact, I've not done my dryer since I blew my knee out 2 years ago. I need to get that done.

So, realistically, you nothing to loose, but potentially everything to gain, by pulling the cabinet apart and giving everything a good inspection and cleaning.

You might find that everything is perfect. No lint build up. If that's the case, then you really need to start making plans for a new dryer just in case the motor is going and it's not an issue that came out of nowhere and doesn't repeat itself.

[Bogie]

I sell car parts. Sometimes to people who SAY that they do things... Figure out a way to run a nice long piece of something down that tube, and then pull it through. You might be amazed at what all comes out of that "clean" tube...

[K Frame]

If you have a basic set of screwdrivers and a basic set of sockets, you have more than enough tools to do the job.

If you have an internet connection and a cell phone with a camera, you have the means to acquire the knowledge to acquire the knowledge to open the cabinet to do a full cleaning on your dryer. It's absolutely amazing what appliance videos are available on the nets.

The cell phone camera is fantastic if you have to unhook any wires. Take a picture of how they're hooked up before you pull them and you have a reference on how they're supposed to go back together.


Neither Castle Key or I had the knowledge or skills needed to do a partial rebuild on his high efficiency front-loading washer some years ago. That's where You Tube came in.

I didn't have the full skills required to pull a neighbors dishwasher to find out why it was squealing bloody murder during the cycle (piece of bone caught in the garbage chopper). Once again the internet provided the information I needed.

And, I really didn't have the knowledge I needed to do a complete rebuild on my dryer about 10 years ago when the one roller assembly self destructed and the belt broke. 20 minutes on You Tube and I got all of the instruction I needed.

That also was the kick off for letting me know that I needed to pull the cabinet apart fairly regularly to clean all of the lint and dog hair out of it.

In short... In You Tube we trust!

[JTHunter]

Update - I ran a load through it today.  About halfway through the 80 minute "time dry" cycle, I opened the door to check the lint trap.  I used my finger to swipe it clean and restarted the dryer.  It continued until the end of cycle with no hiccups.
Go figure.   

[JTHunter]

K Frame - I will try that but part of my problem is "peripheral neuropathy" due to bad discs in my neck.  I have almost no feeling left in the thumb and first 2 fingers of my right hand (my "strong" hand) and only half a thumb on my left (table saw). 
You might say that I'm a little "short-handed". 

[K Frame]

Hum... OK, that's more of an issue.

Maybe get your brother or a nephew involved?

But, given your experience today, it may just have been a one off thing. Keep and eye on it.

[JTHunter]

Hum... OK, that's more of an issue.

Maybe get your brother or a nephew involved?

But, given your experience today, it may just have been a one off thing. Keep and eye on it.

  Definitely !
The "grandnephew" is only 18 and in college.  He and brother live 150 miles away.  That's why we are meeting halfway this Thursday at a restaurant that WILL be open.