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January 20, 2009

electric vs. gas dryers

I am currently renovating my kitchen and am looking into purchasing an under-the-counter washer and dryer to save space. I've ruled out combo washer/dryers. I've only had gas dryers in the past and love their efficiency but am finding that no one makes gas dryers small enough to fit under a standard counter - only electric are available. What are people's opinions on electric dryers? Do they pale in comparison to gas dryers? I hear electric are more costly to operate and take longer to dry.

Comments

i have an electric dryer in another property and as soon as I can replace it with gas the happier I will be! You heard right.

Posted by: denton at January 20, 2009 5:21 PM

you will need a huge electric service to even begin to compare to the cheapest gas dryer

Posted by: eman1234 at January 20, 2009 5:56 PM

Yes, its usually a space issue that forces one to get an electric dryer. I have one. I have no idea how much it really costs to run it. It does take longer to dry. Not sure if that is because its electric or because its a non-vented type (it expells moisture and water through a hose into the drain).

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 5:57 PM

Maybe if Biff can figure out what his dryer is (gas or electric), he can chime in!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 20, 2009 6:00 PM

you have a already property and you start the electric service start .
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manoj87
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Home Loans-Home Loans

Posted by: manoj87 at January 20, 2009 6:09 PM

you have a already property and you start the electric service start .
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manoj87
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Home Loans-Home Loans

Posted by: manoj87 at January 20, 2009 6:10 PM

Start celebrating early today, mano???

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 6:16 PM

you have a already property and you start the electric service start .
---------
manoj87
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http://www.talkinghomeloans.com - http://www.talkinghomeloans.com

Posted by: manoj87 at January 20, 2009 6:20 PM

Ok, so if it has a plug, it's an electric unit? Is that right?

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 20, 2009 6:23 PM

Not necessarily Biff--a gas dryer also has a plug to operate the motor that makes it spin.

Posted by: Bob Marvin at January 20, 2009 6:29 PM

Serious???

Only if its a 220 volt plug. A gas dryer still needs an electric plug. It makes that big thing inside go round and round.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 6:30 PM

Oh, God, Biff!!!
Are you serious?
Gas dryers get plugged in also.
Is there a gas line going to your dryer?

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 20, 2009 6:30 PM

I think Biff's just playing dumb. If you've ever noticed when he posts on the Home page he gets joy out of taunting and baiting people.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 6:34 PM

Wow, I was actually making a joke only to find out it could be gas and still have a plug!

Ok, I guess the gas line would be a giveaway. I've never proclaimed to be very handy on this blog!

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 20, 2009 6:35 PM

What does a gas line look like?

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 20, 2009 6:36 PM

What does a gas line look like?

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 20, 2009 6:36 PM

Sorry, Biff. I didn't mean for my comment to sound condescending.

See if there's a gas pipe going to the dryer; it should be a 3/4" diameter copper pipe.

Take this to your own thread.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 20, 2009 6:37 PM

Nowadays its usually one of those collapsable/expandable aluminum pipes.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 6:40 PM

Sorry kateitzkowitz, I didn't mean to disrupt your thread. I'm having my own dryer issues, hence my Forum post this morning.

BRG, you weren't condescending. Thanks for the info. I'm leaving now anyway and will have a look tonight to see what kind of pipe I have.

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 20, 2009 6:40 PM

Why you....BIFF!!!!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 20, 2009 6:41 PM

Yes, DIBS is right, you live in a townhouse. You could have a flex hose. Apt. buildings don't allow those.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 20, 2009 6:44 PM

BRG, it's an iron pipe for gas. Not copper. If you have a copper gas pipe, I'm reporting you at once!

Posted by: denton at January 20, 2009 7:11 PM

Denton....my bad...of course.
I was working on a kitchen and writing new copper water line to frig. on the drawings and trying to help the baffled Biff at the same time.

NO copper gas line...I actually think copper and gas when combined have a reaction....not sure what, but I don't think it's good.

Oh God, poor Biff, he's going to be so confused.
BIFF WAIT....if you have a hard gas line, it's a dark grey pipe, diameter is still 3/4".
And if you have a flexible gas line it's a ridged (not sure if that's the term) light grey metal.
And I guess, we should have told him not to pull the dryer out too far just in case it is gas....ooooops.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 20, 2009 7:51 PM

I just heard a big explosion over in Brooklyn Heights.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 7:55 PM

kateitzkowitz, are you sure you want a washer / dryer in your space?
...cause we're so full of good advice :-)

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 20, 2009 7:55 PM

'I just heard a big explosion over in Brooklyn Heights.'

That's not even funny...because I'm imagining him having a hard time figuring out which one is the washing machine and which one is the dryer.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 20, 2009 8:04 PM

I am laughing so hard...so sorry, Biff.

btw, kateitzkowitz - go with a gas dryer if you can.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 20, 2009 8:08 PM

I was born in a cross-fire hurricane
And I howled at my ma in the driving rain,
But it's all right now, in fact, it's a gas!
But it's all right. I'm Jumpin' Jack Flash,
It's a gas! Gas! Gas!

I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag,
I was schooled with a strap right across my back,
But it's all right now, in fact, it's a gas!
But it's all right, I'm Jumpin' Jack Flash,
It's a gas! Gas! Gas!

I was drowned, I was washed up and left for dead.
I fell down to my feet and I saw they bled.
I frowned at the crumbs of a crust of bread.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I was crowned with a spike right thru my head.
But it's all right now, in fact, it's a gas!
But it's all right, I'm Jumpin' Jack Flash,
It's a gas! Gas! Gas!

Jumping Jack Flash, its a gas
Jumping Jack Flash, its a gas
Jumping Jack Flash, its a gas
Jumping Jack Flash, its a gas
Jumping Jack Flash

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 8:12 PM

kateitzkowitz, see Biff's Forum post below with the dryer picture for a discussion of the venting issues. It's best to be able to vent a gas dryer. Some of the smaller electric ones are non venting...you need to run a piece of hose from the dryer to the drain to expell the moisture and water.

The venting issue for a gas one might be a bigger issue in a kitchen area.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 20, 2009 8:17 PM

You guys really think gas dryers are the way to go? I've always had electric all my life and never thought twice about it. Mine takes about 35-40 minutes to completely dry a load of laundry. I have a gas stove, boiler and water heaters, but I don't want more gas appliances in the house that could someday leak. Can't remember if it runs on 220, but even so, no biggie.....

Posted by: slopenick at January 21, 2009 10:17 AM

Thank you Daveinbedstuy and Slopenick. I would go with gas if I could, but I want a dryer that fits under my 36"H x 24"D counters and I am finding it difficult to find a gas run dryer that will fit those dimensions. I guess I just wanted to know people's opinions of electric dryers since it looks like I have to go the electric route. Is it worth getting an electric dryer?

Posted by: kateitzkowitz at January 21, 2009 3:06 PM

Yes, its worth it. They work fine. I just think mine (Bosch) takes abit longer than a gas dryer. They are smaller in size and therefore a little bit smaller in capacity as well. Its the first time I've had an electric...it came with the house when I bought it and I think they got those becasue full size wouldn't fit down the basement stairs.

I have had no problem with it whatsoever.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 21, 2009 5:30 PM

And no vent required.