How Dryers Heat Clothing to Get You Ready for the Day Faster and Easier

To better understand how a dryer works, it is necessary to explore the inner workings of the machine. Inside the dryer are a couple components that are very important in the machine’s operation.

At the top of the dryer is the tumbler, which is a round holding chamber that holds the wet clothes. Surrounding the tumbler is a belt connected to a motor and rubber wheels. When the motor is turned on, it rotates the belt which turns the tumbler, allowing the clothes to be tumbled in a circular motion so they can be dried.

As the tumbler rotates, air is drawn into the dryer. This air is heated by the heating element before being forced over the clothes and moisture is released as steam. This steam is then passed through a lint trap, which is typically located just below the door of the dryer, before being expelled out of the exhaust pipe.

To make sure the clothes stay at a safe temperature, the majority of dryers have temperature sensors installed. These sensors work to detect when the temperature inside the dryer starts to get too hot. When the temperature reaches that limit, the contact in the sensor separates and the dryer will automatically turn off.

The timer, which allows you to select when you would like the dryer to shut off, is usually a dial-type timer with various settings. You can set the timer for a set length of time or you can let the dryer decide when it’s time to turn off. Most dryers have three heat settings; low, medium, and high. Additionally, newer dryers have cycle settings like “optimum dry,” “less dry,” “fluff,” and others.

At the heart of the dryer is the motor – it starts the entire process when you press the “start” button. The motor is attached to a gear which turns the dial located in the cycle controller. As the dial turns, it engages the contacts in the cycle controller which determines the length of the drying cycle and whether or not the air gets heated.

So, to sum it up, a dryer works by drawing in air that is then heated. The heated air is forced over the wet clothing, which causes the moisture within the clothes to evaporate into steam. This steam is passed through a lint trap before being expelled out of the exhaust pipe. To ensure the dryer is operating at a safe temperature, a temperature sensor is attached which will automatically shut off the dryer once it reaches high temperatures.

Ultimately, dryers are relatively simple machines and they operate in the same way no matter the year they were made or the model. Though they work just fine in most circumstances, be sure to call a professional if you are encountering problems with your dryer as handling it by yourself is not recommended.