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Clothes dryer heat


How Hot Should a Dryer Get? – Signs of Overheating

Refrigerators, heaters, water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers are among the most important household appliances. More specifically, dryers make the task of doing the laundry much easier than it would be without them. Hang drying clothes is time consuming and a lot of work.

Dryers not only help us save time, they keep our clothes nice and fresh. Heat plays a big role in a dryer’s ability to dry clothes, but too much can be problematic. If you’ve wondered how hot does a dryer get and what’s the best temperature, read on to learn why your dryer’s getting too hot, or why it’s not getting hot enough.

How Hot Does a Dryer Get

The temperature a dryer reaches depends on the make and model of the dryer, as well as the setting at which the dryer is running. Your dryer uses heat to warm the water in your clothes and turn it into vapor. On average, most dryers can get around 125 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s important to note that water doesn’t need to reach a boiling point to start steaming and evaporating. Think about drinking a nice hot cup of coffee–while the water in that coffee isn’t boiling, there’s still plenty of steam coming from the cup. Thus, your dryer temperature shouldn’t heat to the point that fabric burns.

Dryer Heat Settings Explained

Dryers and clothing both offer information about how to set the temperature for proper drying. These dryer settings are directly related to how hot a dryer gets. To prevent damage, some fabrics require cooler dryer settings.

While temperature settings may vary among different manufacturers, most offer a delicate, permanent press, and normal setting. The tag on your clothing will usually signify which setting is most appropriate or suggest dry cleaning.


According to the Spruce, the gentle cycle is best for materials like rayon or silk, permanent press is ideal for your everyday clothes, while the normal setting should be reserved for items like towels, sheets, and jeans.

How Do You Know if the Dryer is Too Hot?

The tell-tale sign that your dryer is too hot is damage to your clothes. If you pull your clothes out of the dryer and notice that there are burn marks on them, your dryer is running far too hot. If your dryer is hot to the touch, that may be another sign of too much heat. Naturally, the dryer will be a little warm to the touch while it’s running, but it shouldn’t be significantly hot.

Troubleshoot and Fix a Dryer Getting Too Hot

If you find that your dryer is overheating, you should address the issue as soon as possible. Keep in mind that a dryer overheating may have a negative effect on the dryer itself. Exposure to excessive heat may wear on the various components of the dryer causing damage if the problem is not addressed. Here are some issues that may be affecting how hot a dryer gets.

Airflow Issues

One common cause of a dryer getting too hot is poor airflow. Airflow plays an important role in drying your clothes as it helps remove steam away from your clothes. It also ensures that heat doesn’t get trapped in the dryer by moving the heat through the vent.

If you have an obstruction of airflow in your dryer, it may start to overheat. There are two primary points where airflow obstruction occurs. The first is the lint trap. Make sure the trap is clear of any lint build up. Remember to make it a point to clear the lint trap after each load.

The dryer vent is another area where airflow blocks commonly occur. As with the lint trap, lint buildup is usually to blame for the blockage in the vent. Use a vacuum to help remove the lint from the vent and vent duct to help prevent the dryer overheating.

Broken Heating Element or Burner

Heat comes from an electrical heating element in electric dryers, or a burner assembly in gas dryers. If your dryer’s heat source isn’t working correctly, it may be possible for it to overheat the dryer. Heating elements or burners on dryers can be replaced. Refer to your owner’s manual to make sure you order the right replacement parts.

Broken Cycling Thermostat

The cycling thermostat helps to regulate the temperature of your dryer and is just one of the components in your dryer that works to make sure the dryer doesn’t get too hot. If the cycling thermostat is broken, the temperature of the dryer could go unchecked and may reach unsafe levels.

You can reach the cycling thermostat by opening up the top and front panels of the dryer (and possibly the back panel). It is usually located on or near the dryer’s blower casing. Use a
multi-meter to test the thermostat. A reading of zero or infinity will indicate that it is in working condition. If you get a bad reading, replace the thermostat.

Tripped Safety Thermostat

A safety thermostat, or high-limit thermostat, is another component that plays a role in keeping your dryer from overheating. If this thermostat detects that the dryer is getting too hot, it will shut off the heating source. A single trip of the safety thermostat may render it dysfunctional and need replacement. If the safety thermostat is not working, it may be possible for your dryer to overheat.

It’s also important to remember that if the safety thermostat trips, there is likely something wrong with the dryer that causes it to overheat. Check to make sure other components are working properly and that there isn’t a blockage of airflow.

Bad Blower Wheel

As stated earlier, proper airflow is important not only in the process of drying your clothes, but also in keeping your dryer from getting too hot. Your dryer’s blower wheel plays the important role of moving air along. A broken blower wheel may hinder proper airflow in your dryer and cause overheating.

Inspect the blower wheel by opening up the top of the dryer and front panel. You may need to separate the drum of the dryer from the drum bearing in order to reach the motor, where the blower wheel is attached. Check for any breaks in the blower wheel and also check for any obstructions that keep the wheel from spinning. If the blower wheel is broken, replace it. Check with your owner’s manual to make sure you purchase the right replacement part.

Dryer is Not Getting Hot Enough

When the question “how hot does a dryer get?” is asked, people are usually concerned about overheating. However, when it comes to dryer temperatures, overheating isn’t the only issue. If a dryer doesn’t get hot enough, it might not work properly.

Malfunctioning Thermostat

Just as a broken cycling thermostat may cause dryer overheating, it may also keep the dryer from getting hot enough to run well. A thermostat that isn’t reading temperatures correctly may sense that the temperature is much hotter than it actually is. If your thermostat isn’t working correctly try to solve the problem yourself by checking the wiring of your thermostat unit. If this does not work, make sure to replace it.

Bad Heating Source

A broken heating element or burner may not be able to warm the air properly. Inspect your dryer’s heating source and keep an open eye for debris around it, or cracks. Electrical heating elements may be especially sensitive to having foreign objects in contact with it.

High-Limit Thermostat

A malfunctioning, high-limit thermostat may cause insufficient heating as well as overheating. A bad temperature read could trip the high-limit thermostat before temperatures actually reach the high limit, which is a sign to replace your high-limit thermostat.

Bad Timer Motor

On many dryers the timer on the control panel is what triggers the dryer’s heater to turn on. If the timer isn’t working correctly, it may not set the heater to warm the air flowing through the dryer. You can test the timer motor by removing it from the control panel (make sure to unplug the dryer first) and connecting it to a multi-meter.

A working dryer is a convenient appliance to have in your home. We hope this guide has helped you find the answers to the question “how hot does a dryer get?” and helped you understand the importance of temperature in keeping your dryer safe and functioning. Be sure to see some of our other guides for helpful information about your dryer, including some great tips to maintain your dryer. For more information about how HWA may assist you, and for help with your home warranty needs, contact us at 1-888-492-7359.

knowhow for fabric care |

(Image credit: Obelisk Home / Global Image Creation)

A tumble dryer temperature guide is essential to keep clothes and bed and bath linens in best condition when you dry these items in the appliance. 

While some things are best dried at a high heat others can be damaged by setting the temperature too high. In other words, to avoid having to replace garments and linens prematurely being temperature savvy is a must.

Laundry room ideas will provide you with a practical and stylish space in which to care for your items and our tumble dryer temperature guide contains all the details you need to make drying a stress-free process.

Tumble dryer temperature guide

The laundry symbols on the tags of clothes and bed and bath linens will indicate whether an item can be tumble dried. If it can, this may be with no heat at all, or at low, medium or high heat. Be mindful that tumble dryers may have additional heat settings, and you should consult your manual (online if you haven’t kept it) for recommended uses.

‘Picking the right setting on your dryer is important if you care for what you have in it,’ says Tim David, owner of Airlucent . ‘It’s easy to just load and use the normal setting but you may be doing damage to your fabrics.’

But what are the rules on tumble dryer temperatures when it comes to different items and fabrics? Here are the details.

High heat tumble dryer setting

The high heat setting on a tumble dryer should be used for items such as towels and sturdy cotton items.

The temperature will vary between appliances, but as an example Samsung ’s high heat setting is around 140 to 145ºF (60 to 63ºC).

Medium heat tumble dryer setting

Use the medium heating setting on a tumble dryer for lightweight cottons, such as T-shirts. The permanent press setting works with a medium heat.

Medium is around 130 to 133°F (55 to 56ºC) on a Samsung appliance, for example.

Low heat tumble dryer setting

There are a variety of materials that should be dried with the low heat tumble dryer setting to avoid harm.

‘Many fabrics, such as acrylics, cashmere, wool, and linen, need low heat cycles when you tumble dry them,’ says Justin Soleimani, co-founder of Tumble .

Set the tumble dryer to low heat for clothes made from stretchy fabrics, too – that’s workout wear, and so on. 

Low heat is often used with the delicate setting on a tumble dryer, but check the item’s label as it may require no heat, or may be suitable for medium heat.

The low heat setting can be used after washing a down comforter or to tumble dry a duvet (but do check the tags on the items to make sure this doesn’t conflict with the manufacturers’ recommendations).  

Low is around 120 to 122°F (49 to 50ºC) on Samsung tumble dryers, as an example.

No heat tumble dryer setting

The no heat tumble dryer setting uses air at room temperature and there’s no heat. It’s for fluffing garments rather than drying them, and can help remove dust or lint, according to Whirlpool . 

What can affect dryer temperature?

The internal temperature of a dryer is affected by a number of variables, points out GE Appliances . These are the size of the load and how damp it is. ‘The combination of these two factors determines the amount of heat sink,’ explains GE. ‘Heat sink is the cooling action taking place when the clothes give up their moisture to the hot air stream that is flowing through the dryer drum.’

The actual temperature of the room also has an influence because a dryer pulls air in and then heats it up, say the GE experts.

Finally, air flow also counts. A build up of lint can restrict air flow and make heat rise, they say. Make sure to clean out the filter regularly to avoid this. 

Pay attention to the dryer type

Be aware that whether your tumble dryer is a gas or electric version affects how quickly it reaches the temperature selected. ‘Gas dryers heat up more quickly than electric dryers; they cut drying time short, but if you're looking for a quick fluff for more delicate fabric, don’t leave it in the gas dryer for too long,’ recommends Justin Soleimani.

What is the temperature of a dryer on high?

Typically, modern tumble dryers have a high heat around 150ºF (66ºC), but the actual temperature will depend on the model. Be aware that a higher temperature than this does not mean quicker and better results. Too hot a temperature can cause damage to fabrics.

What setting should my tumble dryer be on?

To determine the setting a tumble dryer should be on, always check the label on clothes and linens. This will indicate both the temperature and the cycle which should be used to keep items in good condition for longer.

As a rule high heat can be used for heavy cotton items, medium heat suits clothes like T-shirts, and delicates and sportswear needs low heat. 

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator. 

Electric clothes dryer: how to choose?

Advantages and disadvantages of electric clothes dryers

Contents of the article

To speed up and simplify the process of drying clothes, you can buy a special device - a dryer. The most efficient models are powered by the mains. But for the process to be really comfortable, safe and fast, you need to make the right choice.

How do electric dryers work?

Electric clothes dryers provide complete and fairly quick drying of clothes after washing due to heat supply. The simplest models involve heating rods on which wet clothes are placed. But this is not very convenient and effective, since only the area placed directly on the bar will dry quickly. The rest will remain wet. More sophisticated models, for example, from Bosch, provide heating and uniform air supply to the entire surface of the drying laundry.

Advantages and disadvantages

If we compare electric clothes dryers with simple models such as Gimi Malibu, we can distinguish a number of advantages: with a lack of time.

  • The second advantage is functionality. Some models suggest the possibility of choosing a mode. There are also additional functions such as ionization, ultraviolet treatment.
  • The third advantage is the wide variety of mounting options and instrument shapes. There are both compact devices and overall devices.
  • High drying quality. The materials remain soft and do not acquire an unpleasant odor.


    • But there are also disadvantages:

    Existing drying options. How to make a choice?

    How to choose the right electric clothes dryer? You should pay attention to several important points.

    If the classification is based on the type of drying, then the following options can be distinguished:

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    Dehumidification Type

    There are two main types of dehumidification:

    Simple models, which do not involve the supply of warm air, but only the heating of the rods, do not provide moisture removal. Water simply evaporates when heated and immediately appears in the environment.

    Method of placement and dimensions

    According to the method of placement, floor, ceiling and wall models are distinguished. The first suggest location only on the floor surface. Some models can be folded, which is very convenient if the apartment is small. Wall dryers are located on the wall. As a rule, such models, like ceiling ones, are the simplest and involve heating the slats.

    The dimensions can be any and will depend on the amount of laundry that can be placed in the device at the same time. But some models, although they take up a lot of space during drying, fold up after the procedure and become very compact, which is very convenient.

    Power and control

    The higher the power, the more efficient the drying will be. However, this will increase the power consumption. Modern models of electric clothes dryers are equipped with fully automatic control, which makes use as comfortable and simple as possible. You just need to select the appropriate program, and the device itself will set the parameters.

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    Functions

    First of all, you should pay attention to the possible drying programs. The choice of a certain mode can be carried out according to several principles:

    Modern models suggest the simplest choice of modes, taking into account several drying parameters at once.

    Additional Features

    Some of the current models are equipped with the following additional features:

    Popular brands

    Most popular brands:

    Choose the right dryer and make drying your laundry easier.

    how to choose a floor dryer, modern types, which one is right to choose

    Electric clothes dryer can have different sizes and heating temperatures

    Drying clothes is an important task that makes our life more comfortable. And if in summer, in some cases, linen can be dried naturally on the balcony, then in the colder season or just in humid weather it is quite difficult to do without a clothes dryer. What are modern drying assistants, what types of dryers are available on the market and how to choose the right floor dryer?

    Material content:

    Modern clothes dryers: advantages

    For a long time, drying clothes was a process that simply could not be accelerated. Then, with the development of progress in the world, home heating appeared and our grandmothers dried clothes on batteries. However, after the batteries, the clothes turned into wrinkled, did not fit, and in the absence of heating, they dried for an extremely long time.

    Modern clothes dryers are safe from a fire safety point of view

    Fortunately, today there is a much smarter solution - an electric clothes dryer that works from the mains. All you need to do is turn it on, set the desired level of heating and turn it off when the laundry is dry. Which dryer is best? In general, electric ones have only one competitor in the form of water ones, which dry clothes on the principle of good old batteries. The disadvantage of water dryers is that they waste a lot of water and require a generous payment for heating it. In addition, in such dryers you cannot adjust the heating power, so often, when you are not in a hurry to dry things, you are forced to spend excess heat.

    What are the advantages of modern 220 V clothes dryers:

    1. Convenient placement of clothes. Quality dryers have a special design that allows you to place a large number of things to dry. You can carry out a general wash and be sure that all things will be dried and fit.
    2. Even drying. Due to the special shape of the dryers, they allow clothes to be dried more evenly. Compared to the batteries we are used to, after which some of the clothes remain wet, modern analogues provide an ideal result.
    3. Fast work. You can set the heat level to whatever you want. If you need to dry something urgently, set the maximum heat and the right thing, especially when it comes to light cotton clothes, will be dry in less than an hour.
    4. Wide selection. In today's home appliance market, you can choose the kind of dryer you want - oversized to accommodate a huge portion of laundry; compact, which will not take up extra space; ionizing, processing clothes during drying, etc.

    How to choose a floor dryer and what are the disadvantages

    Of course, in order to make a reasonable choice of home appliances, you should consider as many existing options as possible. In addition, it is important not to focus only on the advantages of dryers and be aware of their disadvantages. This will help you make an informed choice.

    You need to choose a floor dryer based on the number of people living in the house

    What are the disadvantages of electric clothes dryers:

    1. Electrician required. Of course, the new generation of dryers offers a lot of convenience. But at the same time, such dryers wind up electricity, increasing apartment bills. Moreover, for the dryer to work, you will need an outlet in the bathroom, and if there is none, or it is occupied by a washing machine, then inconvenience cannot be avoided.
    2. Bulky. A good, high-quality and spacious dryer takes up space, and nothing can be done about it.
    3. Risk of burns. If small children live in the house, be careful when using the dryer. The maximum temperature on the appliance will quickly dry clothes, but it will also create a burn hazard for the occupants.

    Having weighed both the pros and cons of the dryers available on the market, you will surely be able to make the right choice when buying. True, for a complete picture, you should also deal with the main types of this equipment, which are sold in stores today.

    Selection categories and types of clothes dryers

    Don't be surprised if you find a wide variety of dryers in the store and get confused about them. For each individual case, its own dryer is suitable. However, there are several main categories of this equipment on the market today.

    The first category, the most popular, is the compact dryer. They are curved trebs or rods on which linen is hung. The advantage of these dryers is that they are the most compact and are relatively inexpensive. In addition, there are a wide variety of such dryers on sale and you can choose from many options. The disadvantage of this technique is that drying in it is uneven, part of the laundry may remain wet.

    The price of clothes dryers depends on the quality of the materials used in their production.

    The second category of dryers is drum-type devices. They are similar in principle to a washing machine, but instead of supplying water, warm air is supplied here. The drum can rotate at 50 to 100 rpm and dries clothes very quickly and evenly.

    The third kind of dryers are drying cabinets. In them, clothes are placed in a straightened form on hangers, due to which they dry in an even state, without wrinkles. The drying cabinet takes up a lot of space, draws a lot of electricity, and is more expensive than analogues. However, the result is always excellent - such devices are indispensable in laundries.

    What to look for or how to choose a clothes dryer

    So, now you know almost all the advantages and disadvantages of modern dryers, thanks to which your washed laundry dries quickly and evenly. In addition, we looked at the most popular types of dryers that are used both in the home and in professional washing and drying businesses.

    When choosing a clothes dryer, consider the size of the room in which it will be located

    It can be difficult to make the final and correct choice in your case, but you should simply think carefully about the requirements for the technique and the features of your requests. Consider how often you do laundry at home and how much laundry you need to dry. In most cases, a compact bathroom dryer, which is an open heated element on which clothes are hung, will do. Remember that in addition to washing on the dryer in the bathroom, other things will be dried - towels after taking a shower, socks and linen that require hand washing.

    Take into account the electricity consumption that will be produced by additional appliances in the house. If you've been planning to cut your electric bills, then a dryer could be a derailment to your plans. And, finally, the most important thing - evaluate the future workload of the dryer. If the whole family lives in the house, then you will have to buy the most spacious, bulky and uneconomical model.

    Model overview: electric clothes dryer (video)

    The choice of clothes dryer should be based on such criteria as its type, features of operation and technical characteristics of the room in which it will be installed.

    Learn more