A Kenmore gas dryer is worth buying if your laundry spot already has a gas line, or can get one safely, and if you want hotter, faster drying at a lower energy cost per load where natural gas is cheap. It needs three things an electric dryer does not: a gas supply with a shutoff valve, an ordinary 120-volt outlet for the motor and controls, and a vent that carries the burner exhaust outdoors. If you only have a 240-volt outlet and no gas, buy electric. Check the connection before you check the price.
Is a Kenmore gas dryer the right choice for your home?
The question is mostly about what is behind the wall. If there is a gas stub-out in the laundry room, or a gas line close enough to extend, a gas dryer is a straightforward choice. If the laundry room is on an upper floor or in a space with no gas, running a new line is a plumbing project and may cost more than the dryer itself, so an electric model is simpler. Check the existing connection before you shop, because the dryer you buy must match what the wall already offers.
Fuel cost matters too, but it depends on where you live. In many areas natural gas costs less per unit of heat than electricity, which makes a gas dryer cheaper to run over its life. In areas where gas is expensive or has to be delivered as propane, that advantage shrinks or disappears. Look at your own utility bills before you decide.
What does a gas dryer need that an electric one does not?
There are three differences, and each affects safety.
- A gas supply. The dryer connects to the gas line through a shutoff valve and a flexible connector approved for gas. A rigid connection is not appropriate. The shutoff must be within reach so you can close it in an emergency.
- A 120-volt outlet. A gas dryer still has an electric motor, a control and an igniter. It plugs into a normal grounded household outlet instead of the heavy 240-volt connection used by electric models.
- An exhaust vent to the outdoors. Every dryer needs one, but on a gas model it also carries the combustion exhaust, which includes carbon monoxide. A restricted or leaking vent is more serious than on an electric dryer.
Because of the gas connection, the installation should be done or checked by a qualified person, who will also test the joints for leaks. Our Kenmore dryer installation guide covers venting, clearance and hookups in detail.
How do you check your laundry space before you buy?
Before you order, walk through the room with a short checklist:
- Find the gas shutoff. Look for a valve on a pipe behind or beside the dryer position. If there is none, you will need a plumber.
- Check the outlet. A gas dryer needs a grounded 120-volt outlet within reach of the cord. Note whether the existing outlet is a 240-volt electric dryer outlet, which will not work for a gas model.
- Measure the vent run. Note its length and the number of turns. A long, bent run reduces airflow.
- Measure the space and the path. Check the width, the depth with the door open and the route through doorways.
- Consider stacking. If you want to stack the dryer on a washer, confirm that a stacking kit exists for the model.
Who builds Kenmore gas dryers, and why does it matter?
Kenmore is a brand, not a factory. Our site lists dryers from the 110 prefix, which Whirlpool builds, and from the 796 prefix, which LG builds, along with Amana-built prefixes such as 174 and 335. The 110C70832990, for example, is a Whirlpool-built gas dryer with a gas burner ignition system and multiple heat settings. The manufacturer decides the control layout, the part numbers and the error codes, so check the prefix on the model tag before you read a manual or order a part. Our QuietPak dryer buying guide explains the sound-insulation tiers on the SmartHeat line, and the Kenmore model number decoder shows how to read the tag.
Can a Kenmore gas dryer run on propane?
Many gas dryers are designed for natural gas and can be converted to propane with the manufacturer’s conversion kit. The conversion changes the burner orifice and the pressure setting, and a wrong setup is dangerous. Ask about conversion before you order, make sure the kit is available for your exact model and have a qualified person install it and test the result. Never try to run a natural gas dryer on propane without the conversion.
How do you keep a gas dryer safe and efficient?
Clean the lint screen after every load and have the vent cleaned regularly, because restricted airflow makes a gas dryer run hotter and longer and can trip its safety devices. Use rigid or semi-rigid metal duct, never plastic or foil. Our maintenance guide for Kenmore dryers with SmartHeat sets out the routine. A carbon monoxide detector near the laundry area is a sensible addition. If you smell gas, leave the house, do not touch switches and call your gas utility. If a gas dryer stops heating, our guide to a Kenmore dryer not heating covers the usual causes.
Our Kenmore dryer repair technicians install, test and repair gas dryers safely. We are an independent repair company, not a factory service arm, and we will tell you when a repair is not worth doing. You can book a visit and tell us whether you have a gas or an electric hookup.
