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Clothes Dryer Buying Guide |
 Generally, dryers are between 25 and 29 inches wide. But the significant measurement of a dryer is its drum capacity, which is usually between 5 and 7 cubic feet for full-size models and 3 cubic feet for compact models. The capacity you choose should complement your washer's capacity.
A washer with a 3.5-cubic-foot washer capacity, for example, requires a 7-cubic-foot dryer capacity. If space is a problem, consider a stack washer-dryer model that can fit in a closet.
Dryers are traditionally large consumers of energy, with gas being a bit more expensive to purchase but the most economical and efficient in the long run, but a new generation offers increasingly specialized cycles that can minimize drying time. More exacting drying times protect clothes from over-drying, which maintains their appearance and fit and extends their life span.
By law, dryers must have at least one automatic-drying cycle, but the best dryers include moisture sensors, which automatically shut down the machine whenever the moisture level in the drum drops below a certain point. Other options include a cool-down cycle that keeps garments from wrinkling, a damp-dry cycle that prepares clothes for ironing, and a tumble-free cycle that dries items such as canvas shoes on a special drying rack.
 One new dryer—refrigerator-sized and pricey—includes a heated cabinet that has multiple racks to dry delicates gently and an overhead rack on which to hang garments while steam circulates, removing wrinkles and even odors.
Some models are ventless, also called condensing, but most dryers, according to many local codes, must be vented to the outdoors—never into a crawl space, wall, ceiling chimney, or other type of flue. The bottom of the exhaust hood should be located at least 12 inches above the ground. The vent should be made of 4-inch aluminum rigid duct and elbows or, where absolutely necessary, flexible metal (but not flexible thin foil). Vents should never be made from flexible plastic, which restricts airflow and is combustible.
When you are shopping for a dryer, look for a sturdy, sizable lint filter that can be cleaned easily; a clogged filter can, at the least, decrease the dryer's efficiency and, at worst, cause a fire. A reversible door also ensures ease of access should you ever have to move the dryer to a new location.
Copyright Sunset Publishing Corporation
Photos courtesy of Frigidaire
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