I have a new Speed Queen dryer. It doesn't have a moisture sensor. I don't think any of them do. I didn't have one before, so I don't particularly notice the absence. I am quickly learning how long it takes to dry a load. I don't feel as though my clothes are overheating.

Jenn, do you HAVE to buy a matching dryer? Why not just get a different mfg/model?

We just chose the SQ FL washer and electric dryer with 4 cycles (has a decreased temp tumble for clothes.) I was concerned about the moisture sensor, too. I called customer service at SQ - they verified they do not make a product with a moisture sensor, as this would necessitate computer workings of some type and they felt this is exactly what many customers (including myself) wanted to stay away from due to concerns about reliability. His explanation was surely much better than mine, but here goes: they use a temperature sensor that is based on the guideline of knowing that, for example, cotton fabric is dry when it reaches a temp of 140 degrees. He said that many people complain of the moisture sensor dryers leaving some clothes incompletely dried as they are reading the moisture level of the particular item that touches the sensor as it tumbles in the dryer. If that item was a lighter weight cotton shirt vs. a heavier weight cotton towel, it would read as dry and turn off, leaving the other items damp. To me, one could make an arguement that the lighter weight shirt would now be overly dried, and I am not sure to do about that one. As I said, his explanation made sense to me and to my husband, who was not convinced that the SQ dryer would be our best option until he spoke to customer service himself. Our decision to go with the SQ's is based on the fact that we have 3 active kids, lots of animals, and are in need of a washer dryer that can handle casual clothes. Our better items are dry cleaned and I couldn't see that changing even if we had a machine capable of extremely gentle cleaning and lots of cleaning options. We live on top of a mountain and experience more than our fair share of lightning strikes and power outages. I didn't relish the thought of computer boards being fried (it has happened twice with the security system - not inexpensive, but we did not have a choice with that one.) As a woman of, ahem, a certain age, I am now more in love with the idea of simple products that just flat out work vs. a pretty product that throws lots of high tech codes and leaves my trying to figure out what that mysterious code means while I try to do the homework/supper/mom thing. I want my washer to wash well and my dryer to dry well and my Charlies soap to clean well, and well, you get my drift. If SQ had a dryer with a moisture sensor I would likely have chosen it, as I do believe that it does offer more advantages over the thermal sensor. Our other dryer did have a moisture sensor, it did work well on some loads and not so well on others, it was trouble prone, and it is now dead. I hope that our decision to go "back" to a lower level of technology will be a good one. Will let you know as soon as machines are installed - it is supposed to be sometime this week! If anyone is looking at the SQ in the Tennessee/Georgia area of the country, I have a dealer who seems to be very good - he was quite willing to bargain while another dealer was not. I definitly considered a dryer that did not match, but DH is the one who loves symmetry and wanted a matching pair, LOL! Good luck!

remodelmom, thermostatic auto-dry works by having the dryer's thermostat operate the timer. While the heat source is running (electric element or gas burner), bringing the air (and clothes) up to the target temperature of the thermostat, the timer does not run. When the target temperature is reached and the heat source turns off, the timer turns on and runs for a few minutes until the temperature of the air (and clothes) drops and the heat source cycles back on. This process repeats over and over until the "timer" runs out to cool-down and off. Moisture evaporating from the clothes tends to keep the exhaust air cooler, so the heating runs longer and more often when the clothes are wet at first. As the clothes dry and the moisture level in the exhaust air drops, the heat runs less often and for shorter periods, while the timer run more often and for longer periods, thus accelerating the "run-out" of time as drying progresses.

It works well for the most part, but since it's based on temperature, performance can be less consistent than true moisture sensing. If the dryer is installed in an unheated/uncooled space, ambient temperature has an effect. In very cold conditions, the target temperature may not be reached until the load is well-along toward being dry. In hot weather, clothes may be left slightly damp unless a slightly higher dryness setting is used. The dryer is raising the air temperature to a target, such as the 140F you mentioned. An ambient of 35°F (cold garage in winter) is a 105°F rise to reach 140°F, while a room temp of 95°F (hot garage in summer) is only 45°F difference. Of course, this is not a concern when the dryer is installed in the home's "living space."

Moisture sensors are more consistent in performance, as they'll shut off when the load is dry regardless of temperature. For even more accuracy, some moisture sensors now use algorithms that read both air temperature and moisture "hits" on the sensor.

It's true that mixing light and heavy fabrics in the same load can throw moisture sensors to a false reading, but this happens on temperature sensing as well. Very small loads can also be tricky for moisture sensors, since the sensor may not be "touched" as often during the cycle.

Thank you, dadoes - I love to see your name on a reply as it is always thorough and yet explained in a way that I can understand it. Your answer was better than that of the customer service reps! Not to hijack Jenn's post, but to clarify your opinion: since my machines are to be installed inside with consistent ambient temp, and since concerns regarding frequent lightening strikes and power outages are an ongoing concern in our area (last summer as frequently as 3 times a DAY) is it a reasonable trade off to get a dryer with a less sophisticated technology in favor of improved reliability? In other words, is the moisture sensor of great enough improvement over the thermostat system that I should scrap my SQ dryer idea and find another dryer altogether? Mine has been ordered but has not yet come in... Argh! Thank you for your help, dadoes!

I'd say stick with what you've ordered. :-)

Thank you, Dadoes, you've talked me down off the high wire!

I just dont think there is any excuse not to make a moisture sensing model though the auto dry system works fine as well. Moisture sensing saves a lot of overdrying and the electronics go back 40 years or so. Not like a troublesome new digital technology. I think Speed Queen is just trying to keep it so simple that they cant risk failure or a bad rap. That could backfire though if they settle for sub par global materials for the rest of the machine. IMHO

I bought a Speed Queen dryer for several reasons. DH is blind, so all of those sleek electronic displays are worse than useless. Speed Queen's mechanical displays are accessible with the addition of a few "high marks" to the relevant locations. At my last condo we had LG washer and dryer. Very pretty, but I didn't find the moisture sensor to be very useful. I'd find a combination of dry underwear and damp towels, so I started using the timed drying on the LG. I've been doing laundry long enough that I know pretty much exactly how long it will take to dry each type of laundry load that I do. I love techie toys, but I prefer simplicity in appliances.