[bflaska]

Hello!

I just got a used Kenmore Stack. Gosh darn, the dryer is very weak, even for a 110. I'm trying first to clean out what I suspect is a ton of lint, and will likely have to remove the back to get at the rest of the lint bomb.

I'll keep you posted as to progress -- this is the first time I've had a dryer (and I was looking forward to it!).

If this lint removal doesn't work, how hard is it (i.e. expensive) to test for and replace the heating element, and where would i get new one?

Any help you can provide is much appreciated in advance.

ps: will an indoor vent (like the one below) be adequate for this dryer (assuming I can get it going)

SkyMall - Indoor Dryer Vent

[bettyboop]

Could you type in some info on your problem?

[bflaska]

Hi,

Thanks for responding ...

Just got a used Kenmore apartment size stack, and I know 110's are a bit slow but the clothes (heavy cottons, levis) would warm after an hour but not dry ... I read old posts on the forum and followed a suggestion -- I really cleaned out the filter and took off the back of the machine to vacuum out lint. I wet the edge of a tea towel and it was dry in 10 minutes. But I suspect the dryer is still slow. I'll give it another trial tomorrow and be more concrete about it.

Do you think an indoor vent be adequate for this machine?

[denman]

Years ago before I installed a humidifier my house was very dry during the winter.
My dryer was in a utility room in the basement.

I used to unhook my vent. Take a pair of panty hose put one leg into the other, then attach this to my vent. It must have room to open up, looks like a wind sock when running. This was a great filter had to replace it once a month or so. You want to make sure you can see it so you know when to replace it. They used to make a filter system which allowed you to switch with a lever between indoor/outdoor venting but the filter on it looked inadequate.

ADVANTAGES
If you need the humidity it will add a lot
You are not blowing hot air outside wasting it during winter so energy efficient.

DISADVANTAGES
Extra dust - panty hose work great but you still get some
No good in the summer- heat the air and then pay to cool it down with air conditioning definitely not energy efficient
Have to carefully watch the humidity in the house - high humidity can cause all sorts of problems not the least of which is mold
May have to do only one load per day to keep humidity stable

I did this for a couple years with no problems then my sister-in-law moved in with us. There was more washing, the humidity went up too high ( a lot of condensation on windows ) and I had to use external venting all year round.

[PS Staff - Sheila]

In a 110 volt dryer it will take about two hours to dry jeans. This is two to three pairs and they may still be damp at the end of two hours.

The indoor vent are OK but the dryer should be vent outdoors for best results.

Here is a link to the parts of your washer/dryer model 11098573120.