Tip of The Day ~ Buying a Used Dryer

When buying a Dryer, here's what to look for......

1. Pull the dryer out enough to look behind the dryer ~ Is there alot of lint around it? RED FLAG! FIRE HAZARD!! It is more than likely in need of a good clean up on the inside!!

2. Be sure you can plug it up to test it out ~ What you want to find out: 1. Is the Heating Element Cycling. 2. Is the Timer ok. 3. Is the Motor ok, etc.

3. Turn on the Dryer, push or twist start button, listen to the sound of it starting and let it run for approximately 30 minutes. There should not be any dragging sound. While it is running, either go behind the dryer or even better, go to the outside where the Dryer vent exits and check the air flow. There should be a good strong flow of air, enough to move an envelope when you hold it up to the air exit. (This is a good thing to do at home about twice a year as well.) If you do not get a good air flow, indicates vent is clogged and the dryer needs cleaning.

4. You are also wanting to know if the heating element is cycling off and on.... without any clothes, the dryer should start cycling off and on within 5-10 minutes. Check the heat coming from out of the dryer (you can do this from behind the dryer or outside at vent). It should get hot enough that you can barely hold your hand there for just a few seconds. Then it should cool down to where you can feel it getting cooler. If it never cycles off during the 30 minute test (could be heating element is shorted to ground) or it cycles off and does not come back on.....Cycling thermostat needs replacing.... RED FLAG!!

5. After about 30 minutes, open door of dryer, then shut door and restart. If it sounds like it is harder or dragging to start... something like mrrrrrr sound, RED FLAG! Motor could be going bad. If it is harder to start, let it run for another 20 mins, then recheck... If the motor is going bad, the longer it runs, the harder it will be to start until eventually, it will just buzz.... mrrrrrrrrr! RED FLAG!!

Think about buying from someone you can trust that has gone through the process of cleaning and checking out your next appliance purchase before you buy. Also check out our other article called "Buyer Beware"

Good Luck with your appliance purchase!!

If you have any questions about Appliances in general, just give us a call, we're Happy to Help!!

Article Source: Friendly Appliance ~ Check us out at BBB.org: Friendly Appliance ~ Serving the Triad since 1997

TAG: Dryer, Freezer, Stove, Refrigerator, Washer, Window Air Conditioner, Appliance, Used, Repair