GAS DRYERS

Washing and drying may never be considered fun, but modern equipment makes the job easier. Natural gas provides a clean, efficient fuel to accomplish the job economically.

New gas dryers are designed for efficiency with features such as pilot-less ignition and automatic shutoff. Industry studies show that new gas dryers use up to 30% less energy than older models.

BASICS

Products are dried by evaporating water from fabrics using the four priciples of drying...heat, airflow, tumbling action and control. A fan or blower draws in fresh air and directs it through or over the gas burner where it's heated. The burner is thermostatically controlled and automatically ignited. The heated (dry) air is channeled through the drum where the products are tumbled. This warm air absorbs moisture and is exhausted from the dryer through a lint filter. This process continues until the desired amount of moisture is removed.  Good heat, tumble and airflow do not equate to a quality dryer.  You also need "control" over these features. 

                                                                        SELECTING YOUR GAS DRYER

A gas dryer should dry laundry thoroughly, without over-drying the fabrics. The machine should also turn off promptly when the product reaches the selected degree of dryness (control). Many other factors also enter into your gas dryer buying decision; such as, capacity, controls and features, energy efficiency and price.

Commercial and industrial dryers are available in a variety of drum sizes to handle loads from 120 pounds to 1200 pounds. The capacity is usually decided through a study of the amount of work to be processed and the number of hours desired for laundry operation.  It may also be determined by the load sizes from the washer/extractor.

                                                                           TEMPERATURE CONTROLS

Each laundry load requires a different temperature depending on type of fabric and amount of moisture it holds. Temperature selections for smaller designs include:

• "High" or "Regular": For non-permanent press loads such as towels, heavy-duty fabrics, etc. Short cool-down period at the end of the cycle reduces wrinkling.
• "Medium" or "Permanent Press": For permanent press loads or no-iron fabrics such as nylon, acrylic, polyester or blends. Longer cool-down period helps insure most wrinkle-free results.
• "Low": For knits.
• "Extra low": For delicate fabrics and those labeled "Tumble Dry."
• "Air": For items that must be dried without heat, such as shower curtains, rain gear and items with elastic. Use for fluffing pillows and down garments or removing dust from draperies.

On the industrial side, a formula can be developed by your company that is specific to each product and/or degree of extraction - say, if a load of towels is washed in a low-speed washer -vs- washing in a high G-force machine, the heat time or the drying formula can be adjusted for each. 

OTHER FEATURES

Dryers offer a variety of convenient features that save time and energy and increase safety.

• Automatic Cool-Down: A timed interval at the end of the drying cycle when tumbling continues with the heat off to reduce wrinkling of heat sensitive synthetic fabrics and no-iron finishes.
• After-Cycle Tumble Period:  Periodic tumbling; helps prevent wrinkles.
• Damp-Dry: For cotton items to be ironed while damp, or to speed drying of natural fiber washable sweaters. (Industrial dryers may use an algorithm or humidity sensor to decide when to stop the heat cycle).
• Tumble Press - Cooldown: Releases wrinkles from garments that are clean and dry but slightly wrinkled from a closet or suitcase.
• End-of-Cycle Signal: Reminds you to remove items from dryer to prevent wrinkles.
• Lint filter alarm: Tells you the lint filter urgently needs cleaning.

GAS DRYER CARE

Larger, industrial design care is discussed in the 'Dryer Maintenance' page.  Some smaller gas dryers are almost maintenance-free.  However, many of these are becoming more and more complex, requiring a great deal of care. 

For commercial sized gas dryers, these easy steps will help assure safe, problem-free, efficient dryer operation. Consult your owner's manual for details on use of your dryer.

• Clean lint screen as recommended by your owner’s manual. Lint buildup reduces efficiency and could cause a fire.
• Clean exhaust duct work, vent and hinged hood cover (outside the facility) periodically.
• Turn off or disconnect electrical power to dryer before cleaning.
• Disconnect duct from dryer.
• Using appropriate tool,* clean the entire duct, one section at a time.
• Check the gas line any time the dryer is moved.
• Check turns in the duct and remove collected lint.
• Be sure flapper at outside end of duct works freely.
• Be sure no birds, insects or small animals have nested inside the duct.
  * Choose a vacuum hose attachment, a pole with feather duster or rag attached, or a drain-cleaning wire with a dust rag tightly attached.
• Do not dry: Materials stained with cleaning solvents, wax or paint; foam rubber or rubber-coated items or glass fiber materials.
• Don't use top of dryer as a work surface. Most commercial dryers have an enamel finish on the cabinet top and drum that is not as scratch-resistant as porcelain. Bleach, detergent, solvents and other laundry additives can remove the finish. Wet, non-colorfast items can leave stains.