what kind of controls and features are available?
Clothes dryer manufacturers now offer a wide range of settings to control how dry or wrinkle-free your clothes will get. Manufacturers will have different names for the majority of dryer settings out there, but the functions break down into common categories including:
Basic temperature and time-dry settings: You probably already figured out that jeans or towels take longer to dry than a cotton tank top. Most fabrics last longer and keep their color if they are dried using the correct temperatures. Most dryers offer basics temperature and timed settings such as Whites, Darks, Cotton, Permanent Press, Delicate, Air Fluff, Heavy Duty, More Dry, Normal Dry, Damp Dry or Less Dry options.
Custom settings: Higher-end dryers tend to come with seven or more temperature drying cycles beyond the basic settings. You can usually mimic most of these settings via basic controls. But if you want a wider range of controls at your fingertips, you can investigate custom settings, including:
- bulky items
- quick-dry
- wrinkle-free (cycle is around 140 minutes of intermittent tumbling to help prevent wrinkles)
- towels
- 'personal' cycle that that can be customized by temperature and time
- wool care
Lint filter and warning light: Experts say the quality of a unit's lint filter says a lot about how long the dryer will last. And keeping the "lint trap" clean is also a fire-prevention issue. If the lint filter is large and sturdy, it will capture more lint and extend the life of your unit. Also, newer models actually come with a warning light or buzzer that reminds you to clean the lint filter, and top-mounted filters that are easier to access.
Drying rack: If you want to dry items like running shoes, pillows, sweaters or small rugs, for example, look for a unit that comes with a drying rack that attaches to the inside of the drum and dries your shoes without tumbling them around.
Pedestal and bottom drawer: To make it easier to reach inside your dryer, and to add bonus storage, some units come with a 15-inch pedestal to raise the unit and provide a drawer for storing detergent or clean laundry.
Work surface and tower: Some models include a rubber work surface that can be placed on top of your washer-dryer combo to create a table top for folding laundry or treating clothes for stains, for example. Others include a "tower" of drawers that fits in between the washer and dryer for extra storage space for detergent or bleach.
Drum: The main inside feature of a dryer is the tumbler--or drum--and though they now come in stainless steel, which some manufacturers claim prevents snagging, it's not a necessity. Most models now come with a drum light as well.
Doors: Stylish models often include a window in the door or stainless-steel rims for tight closure. Doors also come with left- and right-mount options.
Condensation dryers: Versus using just tumbling action, heat, and a venting system, a condensation clothes dryer will condense the moisture in the hot air to water and drain it through a pipe, which allows the dryer to be installed in more locations such as cupboards.
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