The GE GTDP280EDWW Electric Dryer: Large Capacity and Lots of Settings
About.com Rating
A traditional design with plenty of choices for today's fabrics and a large capacity to save energy and time. This was my personal choice to replace my failed dryer. Keep reading to see why I chose this particular model and how it performed.
Product Description:
GE® 7.0 cu. ft. Capacity Dura Drum Electric Dryer GTDP280EDWW
Known as the GE GTMP280EDWW Electric Dryer in Canada
- Large capacity 7.0 cu. ft.
- 4 Heat selections and 9 cycles
- Additional cycles: Dewrinkle, damp dry
- Timed Dry: Up to 80 minutes; Dewrinkle (20 mts); Quick fluff (10 mts - no heat)
- Wrinkle care cycle; extended tumble - reduces wrinkling and creasing
- Cottons: 4 choices
- Easy Care - Permanent Press - 5 choices
- End-of-cycle signal
- Dura Drum interior
- Electromechanical controls
- Front serviceable
- Interior light
- Up-front lint filter
- White on white finish
- Size: Depth: 28-1/4"; overall height: 42"; overall width: 27"
- Learn more from the manufacturer
- Limited 1 year warranty
- MSRP:$ 649
 How the GE Electric Dryer Performed:
After my eight year old dryer suffered a major fail, I spent a considerable amount of time reading product features, brand reliability information and consumer reviews, before settling on this GE model.
Since I was returning to a somewhat traditional style of washer, it was a no brainer that the chosen dryer should also be of similar design. I also wanted to upgrade capacity, even though our family unit is now small, in order to be able to dry large bulky bedding.
I also took into account the availability of servicing my new laundry appliances in this area, so all things considered, it narrowed my search to General Electric. Then the hunt was on for the model which best met my clothes dryer essentials. It was a bonus that other consumers also liked this particular dryer.
This model has several cycles which means I can dry every type of clothing or laundry item, from cottons to permanent press and delicates. Though I usually hang dry most good clothing, it's good to know I can put it in the dryer at the right temperature setting, if I so choose. That's very important to me.
Add some enhanced fabric care features like the Wrinkle Free and Quick Fluff settings and my preferences have been met. These preset settings with shorter times, seem to work well and are worth having. This dryer has everything I need to dry my laundry.
With separate dials for Temperature and Cycles, the objective is to match the appropriate heat with the type of fabric load you're drying for optimum results. Reading the manual is the key to understanding how all the settings work, if you want to make the most of the dryer options. There are also Dry More and Dry Less features, which I only use occasionally.
The large capacity is a delight. No need to cram anything in; I finally have room to properly dry a Queen comforter or combine similar loads to save energy. The interior (dura) drum is typical of older dryers and I would have preferred a stainless interior, but this would have resulted in delayed shipping, so I accepted this model since the drum is durable.
Preset timed settings at varying temperatures can be handy and I occasionally use them, but most of the time, I like full control when it comes to drying time. So being able to use Time Dry for just a few minutes, then either hanging clothing or adding a few more minutes if needed, suits me and does save energy.
In fact, I can save more electricity with this traditional dryer than when I had the smaller Whirlpool Duet Sport which was part of a high efficiency laundry pair. That's because air can better circulate around the clothing and linens in this larger dryer to effectively dry it, in a much shorter time. So cutting down on a dryer's capacity just to save energy can be inefficient, resulting in a longer drying time per load.
As for maintenance, the lint filter is conveniently located just at the bottom front of the dryer opening. This is much preferred to those with top of the dryer placement. It's easy to pass your hand in it to remove lint and the clothing rarely comes into contact with the filter when removing the load.
This model is designed with a more convenient frontal access for servicing, which means we will not need to pull it out of place to make required repairs. The dryer dash controls are a combined electric and mechanical design. I expect these to last longer than a full electronic board. The audible end-of-cycle signal is quite loud, but it can be turned off.
Once you've enjoyed (to a point) a newer HE laundry pair, it's not always easy to return to a more traditional form of washer and dryer. Simply put, this GE dryer is not as pretty as my previous model, but I made the choice for several reasons and more so for the washer, as I have detailed in that review.
Price was also an important buying factor. This GE laundry pair was less than $1000 and yet it met all my must-haves and then some. Given all the features and increased capacity, I'm very satisfied with my purchase. And I do expect it to outlast my Duet Sport's short lifespan.
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In Canada, find more information on the GE Electric Dryer; locate a dealer
Read my GE GTWN4250DWS Washer Review