Vintage Kenmore dryer
There was a vintage Kenmore dryer in the basement of the estate sale – right next to the deco-style steel sink cabinet. Sigh. I don’t know how much electricity these vintage dryers use…probably a lot. But they are so beautiful — and goodness, they have lasted a long time, that’s for sure!
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Comments
15
Wow! That dryer is great! I’m still using a vintage Kenmore dryer…but mine is a little newer. It was new in 1969, still works great, and is quieter when running than my parent’s new dryer from GE. I’m all for dependability!
Surely you could upgrade some of the parts to make it a little more energy efficient….it is such a cool dryer!
Electric dryers are horrendously inefficient…new or old, it doesn’t really matter. They’ve been using the same basic technology ever since they were invented. About the only thing that can make an electric dryer more efficient is a sensor that will monitor the dryness of the load and shut it off the instant things get dry.
I wonder how the carbon footprint compares between a dryer that has been working for years and hasn’t broken but uses a bit more electricity vs a new energy efficient model that will break and be unrepairable in 5 years that you will then have to send to a landfill and buy a new one. I would think the old one would win.
@BungalowBill, I tend to think you are right regarding these “lifecycle” costs – especially if, as BobQSmith wrote, the technology has not changed all that much over time. Also, I read recently that a way to reduce the carbon footprint of electric dishwashers is to run them very late at night. They use the same amount of electricity, obviously, but late at night there is surplus electricity availalbe. I think that means: use it or lose it. On the other hand, if we all use more electricity during the day, that means that power plants must be built to accommodate our growth. So…if you have a dryer, perhaps there are loads you can run late at night rather than in the day, when the demand on the grid is not so great.
Hello,
Wow and notice the lint filter is on the top. I always hated those that way as you pull it out and the lint goes all over. Plus often dryers house things (table cloths, sheets and such) on top for a while and that means you can’t put it on top of that lint door. More and more dryers have them there as mine does.
I thought that was a newer innovation but guess not. Who knew?? LOL
Frankly I think it is a great inconvenience to have it there versus the ones between the drum and the outside that you just open the door and pull out.
Regards,
Robert
Then…if one were truly adventurous and dedicated…there is the thought of buying a NEW dryer (frt. Damage, maybe) and frankensteining a “new” dryer into an old enclosure. Sadly, one would probably lose some cool-factor in the controls, but maybe new non-stock cool factor could be created…
Just out of curiosity, do you remember what they were asking for this?
I don’t think it was for sale. Not marked, at least.
Robert,
I’ve owned ONE in my life with the lint filter on top and never will own one again for the exact reasons you list. They are truly the worst for keeping your dryer and adjacent washer staying unlinty (is unlinty a word? maybe now it is) –
Sign me Unlinty in CA, with my lint filter in the door
Oooohhhh…..that is a ‘57 Lady Kenmore! I almost bought one in PINK a few years ago. I was just about to leave on vacation to South Padre Isle via New Orleans. We had two weeks vacation, so on this roadtrip we were going to the GIANT flea market in Texas and I felt I had to keep alot of cash available for that. So I didn’t buy the dryer. Bwwaaaahhhhh….I should have bought it! It is one of the most regrettable failures to purchase that I have.
Check out this link:
http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?photoshow=008@Beautiful%201957%20Lady%20Kenmores@Unimatic1140.jpg&dir=/COLLECTIONS/UNIMATIC1140
And here is a link to the main page:
http://www.automaticwasher.org/
These folks are HARD CORE!
Chris.
Beautiful dryer. Too bad they didn’t have the matching washer with it. I’ve got that same dryer in pink. I currently don’t use it, don’t have the matching washer for it yet. The washer and dryer set I do use is a 1963 Lady Kenmore set in turquoise.
Justin
Riegelman’s Appliances here in Gresham Oregon has a Beee-utiful late 50s turquoise washer/dryer set on display in their showroom. The salesman said they didn’t work anymore (wiring issues… I bet they could be repaired by any decent repairman) but looked absolutely perfect on the outside. They have the original paper work & manuals and apparently the lady who owned them actually waxed the finish. They looked SO nice, especially when sitting next to new models.
There was a beautiful set of turquoise Maytags in Salt Lake City on the C-List for something like $275 a few months ago. Ooohhhhh….my girlfriend had to hold me back. I was already printing out maps and calculating gas costs….
I have the same set in harvest gold and they work awesomely!
By the way, did anybody check out the rest of the pics in that persons collection? Check out the cool appliances in the kitchen!
http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?photoshow=240@Up%20In%20The%20Kitchen.jpg@UNIMATIC1140.jpg&dir=/COLLECTIONS/UNIMATIC1140
http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?photoshow=250@Th%20KitchenAid%20Side.jpg@UNIMATIC1140.jpg&dir=/COLLECTIONS/UNIMATIC1140
Looks like they have TWO vintage dishwashers! Little surprise considering the rows of washers and driers in the basement.
Chris.
I found a Lady Kenmore washer (w/mangle) at an antique store last week for $250. Yes, I do know how to use a mangle (thanks Mom)…but already have a washer & dryer. I liked how it was labeled a “LADY” Kenmore….
I also remember my mom teaching me to wash the whites first, colors second and darks last….because we used the same water! Funny, I still do the laundry that way, even though I have a modern washer…