Recommend (or warn against) a clothes dryer, best features?

[Anonymous]

So in the middle of the weekly laundry yesterday our dryer died. It doesn't get warm any more for starters. With half a week's laundry piled up and more coming from my family (and young dirt-attracting kids) everyday I need something fast. What features could you not live without? Which are a waste? Which brands and models are great or awful. HELP! (and thank you!)

[Anonymous]

I like all sorts of bells and whistles on my washing machine, but I go basic with dryers. (I look at capacity and frequency of repair in Consumer Reports.)

[Anonymous]

thank you. any other thoughts? Also, is it best to get a matching washer at the same time?

[Anonymous]

A couple months ago we purchased a Whirlpool Cabrio set of washer and dryer. Excellent features on the dryer like the ability to steam without shrinking items. Always a plus if you're laundrering work clothes and don't want to spend for dry cleaners bill. I would rec. changing out washer and dryer together, but that's because I have a personal pref to have it as a set. It also looks better, small detail I know but if you factor in the fact that sooner or later the washer will go too then it's worth replacing. We bought from Applianceland in Rockville after checking out comparable prices through Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowes, and even Costco.