Software
Houzz Logo Print
ann_marks23

Looking for electric dryer recommendations

4 days ago

My current dryer is an Electrolux EIMED55IIWO. It is around 15 years old. Our current washer is an LG WM3900HWA which is 4.5 cubic foot capacity. Dryer just started throwing an error code of E64. Pretty sure it needs a new heater element. We have replaced it twice already. Last time was only 1 1/2 years ago. Thinking it is time for a new dryer.


I do not need anything fancy. I do not need 100s of different cycles. Here is what I am looking for. It can have more features than this as long as it has these features and is in my price range:


Electric

27 inches wide

No more than 31 1/2 inches deep

Drop down front or left swing door

Timed dry cycle

High, medium, low and air dry cycles

$800 or under. The cheaper the better.

No less than 7 cubic feet capacity. Needs to fit king size quilt.

Something I can buy from Lowes


I ran my specifications through AI and it gave me the following models:


GE GTD48EASWWB

GE GTD58EBSVWS

Whirlpool WED5605MW


Does anyone have opinions on these models or any recommendations that meet my needs?

Comments (5)

  • 4 days ago

    Have you confirmed the heating element is the problem/broken via visual or electrical diagnosis? If so, clog/obstruction of the exhaust ducting can be a factor in early/frequent heating element failure. Insufficient airflow causes the element to run hotter than design specifications, leading to thermal fatigue/failure. Failure to heat can also be caused by a bad thermostat ... or a blown protective thermal fuse which is also often caused by obstructed airflow.

    Clyde Kalvin thanked dadoes
  • 4 days ago

    Have not confirmed any obstruction. I do not think it is an obstruction. We clean the vent pipe every year and we have a lint catch bag on the outside vent exhaust and that is fine. So it is not like something climbed into the vent. But we will check. We will also check the heating element and wires to it.


    We just got home from being away for 2 weeks. The dryer was used by my son while we were gone and it was fine. I dried a load when we got home and it was fine but then the error code started on the second load.


    The dryer does heat but then shuts off after some time and throws an error 64 code. I was able to get a set of sheets dry. I just had to keep restarting it.

  • 4 days ago

    The lint catcher bag is something like this? Has it always been in place with this machine or is it a recent addition? I, personally, wouldn't place such at the exhaust port, it is itself a possible obstruction to free airflow. Perhaps try removing it to check if the fault stops occurring? Also examine the element to determine if it has problem such as a fracture that may make/break per heat expansion/contracton of it causing an erratic heating pattern or a sag that touches the element housing. If so, consider replacing the element again and remove the lint catcher bag to (long term) test if the new element lasts longer. It's presumably less cost to do that than buy a new dryer. Replacing the machine may be worthwhile to you for less hands-on diagnosis/hassle.

  • 4 days ago

    @dadoes we went and checked for obstructions. There are none. We took off the ridged flex hose and that was clear. We ran our rotary vent cleaner through. All clear. Used a leaf blower after running the rotary cleaner through.


    We have to have the lint catcher bag on as the idiot builder put our propane tankless water heater vent right next to where the dryer vent is. Lint was getting sucked into the tankless vent.


    This is the lint catcher bag we have. There is plenty of air flow coming through it as we checked to make sure.


    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D5MCYDP6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1


    I think we are just going to go with a new machine so if you have any suggestions based on what my original post listed let me know. Thanks for your help.

  • 4 days ago

    WP and GE have both been producing those designs for years. WP has the heating element in the base like your 'lux. The GE has the heating elements essentially inside the drum, directly behind the metal grill. There's a bit of concern that bulky very large items such as comforters could be damaged via contact with the hot grill moreso than the WP design. The GEs both claim to support 120ft vent ducting length so may have stronger airflow. They're toploader-match which are typically a bit less $ than frontloader-match which is the WP. You may prefer a frontloader-profile machine to match your washer aesthetics.