Dryer taking too long to dry - Tip of the week

[jeff1]

Appliance tip of the week...

Q: Dryer takes too long to dry or multiple times to dry a load.
A1: Pull the dryer out away from the wall. Unhook the vent from the dryer completely. Do not put anything over the dryer exhaust on the back of the dryer. Do a normal load with the vent unhooked. If it dries better or ok like this then the problem is in the dryer venting. Like a blocked vent pipe or a smashed or restricted vent hose.
A2: If the vent doesn't make a difference, then check the blower wheel for excessive lint build up, check that there isn't anything stuck to the air intake baffle inside the drum, (i.e. the screen on the back wall of the dryer when looking into the drum). Check the lint filter chute for blockage. Check that the heating element isn't shorted to ground. Check the exhaust temperature of the dryer. A meat thermometer or pocket thermometer can be used for this. It should cycle approx between 120 degrees and 160 degrees ( without clothes ). Check that the drum seals are not worn out.

Q: My electric dryer runs but will not heat, what could stop my dryer from heating?
A: Things that could stop a electric dryer from heating: house fuse or breaker ( needs two of them ), heating element, burnt wire, thermostat(s), thermal fuse ( not all models ), motor heat switch, timer, selector switch, burnt power cord/plug.

A ohm meter test for these parts.

Q: My gas dryer runs but will not heat, what could stop my dryer from heating?
A: Things that could stop a gas dryer from heating: glow bar igniter, thermal fuse ( not all models ), coils on the gas valve, gas valve, thermostats, motor heat switch, timer, selector switch, sensor. A page for checking gas dryers.

LINK> Refrigerator and freezer condenser coil cleaning brush with instructions. Also works great for dryer lint

LINK> Vacuum cleaner attachment for condenser and dryer cleaning - This long vacuum cleaner attachment will help to clean dust and lint build-up in and around your refrigerator condenser coils underneath the refrigerator and dryer lint in the area where the lint filter is inserted

LINK> Dryer vent cleaning brush. For 4" diameter round ducts. 20 feet long

LINK> Repair kit for Whirlpool, Kenmore, Roper dryer; rollers, belt and idler pulley, for 29" wide Dryers built 1965 and later

jeff.