Best Moisture Sensing Dryer

17 years ago

Last month I purchased a replacement dryer for my 7 year old Kenmore that died recently. I think we ended up with the 700 or 800 series, I don't recall exactly. Well, in short, it's going back to the store. The moisture sensor fails to dry any loads and after two service calls, one where the the circuit board was replaced altogether, I just don't think this new crop of Kenmore's has good moisture detection. No matter what the level of moisture, the cycle ends in 15 minutes. This was never the case with my older model.

So Sears has agreed to replace this unit and the wife and I are trying to choose a good replacement with a reliable moisture sensor. The GE Profile(DPSB62ECWW) is consumer reports favorite but I've seen mixed reviews, especially the lint collector. I hear that Whirlpool makes the Kenmore model that I have so I'm staying aware from Whirlpool. Lastly, I read that Maytag has a good moisture sensor and am considering the Atlantis(MDE5500A) or the Neptune(MDE9700A).

Any suggestions?

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Comments (7)

asolo
17 years ago
Interesting. I've never had a dryer with moisture sensors that didn't work wonderfully -- going back 30 years now.

However, while you've got the dryer away from the wall anyway suggest making sure the vent is clean and free-flowing. I've known MANY dryers that were accused of being bad when all that was wrong was an obstructed vent. Your description of auto shut-off at 15 minutes in every circumstance makes me suspicious.
dadoes
17 years ago
My 1991 KitchenAid dryer erred on the side of leaving the clothes damp. Towels and jeans had to be set at the extreme More Dry position to get "normally" dry. More Dry for those loads would entailed another complete cycle. Shirts/casuals, sheets did OK at the Normal Dry mid-position.

My Fisher & Paykel frontload dryer (a rebadged GE) was oriented more toward DRY than DAMP. Normal position worked fine. Less Dry also got the load just about completely dry, which would be correct ... the clothes were DRY, just LESS DRY than the higher settings would leave them.

The KA and F&P had elecronic moisture sensors, but a mechanical timer.

My newfangled Fisher & Paykel topload dryer with fully electronic controls also does an excellent job.

All three machines were installed at the same location, with the exact same venting.

I have since moved, and the topload F&P continues to do a great job.
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fordtech
17 years ago
Never had a bad load from either one of my Maytag dryers. They were/are Gas dryers. Cant speak for their electrics but I would imagine they are just as good. I would not invest in the 9700 model as they are already about to be discontinued and their Korean parts are going to be hard to find down the road. The rear panel Neptunes are easy to find parts for and used models can be found nearly new for pennies on the dollar due to so many washer failures. I think you have a lot of good choices avaliable in a dryer.
victord
Original Author
17 years ago
My dryer vent is not obstructed as this was the first thing that the first tech and I checked. The second tech, replaced the board and we both tested it and we couldn't understand why the More Dry setting was slowly moving to Dry in 5 minutes. When the cycle ends clothes aren't damp they are still soaked.

>The rear panel Neptunes are easy to find parts for and used models can be found nearly new for pennies on the dollar due to so many washer failures.

That statement scares me a little. I hate to think that I'd be buying a dryer with so many failures. Thanks for the 9700 advice.

Anyone recommend staying away from Whirlpool?
kenmorewasher
17 years ago
Get the Kenmore/Whirlpool 29 inch wide dryer with the moisture sensor...This is the original design that made Kenmore/Whirlpool famous for reliability and durability and performance.
fordtech
17 years ago
>The rear panel Neptunes are easy to find parts for and used models can be found nearly new for pennies on the dollar due to so many washer failures."

Note I said WASHER failures not dryer failures
gregconnie_sbcglobal_net
16 years ago
For kenmorewasher posting, you stated to "Get the Kenmore/Whirlpool 29 inch wide dryer with the moisture sensor...This is the original design". Do you have a specific model in mind? We just bought a Kenmore 800 series (after 20 years with another Sears dryer that I probably should have just repaired) and are very displeased with it due to the vibration and low frequency "thump" that occurs due to the 4 roller system and thinner metal (all per the Sears technician). Apparently many new dryers are inferior to older dryers in the amount of noise the newer dryers make due to their thinner metal and roller mechanisms.

Best Moisture Sensing Dryer

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Best Moisture Sensing Dryer

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asolo

dadoes

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