clothes dryer wars

[pavulon]

I recently posted looking for and receiving input on repairing my clothes dryer. Thank you to everyone who replied but after testing everything but the electronic board and control panel and ruining the plastic fan trying to remove it in order to get the motor out for testing (it and the centrifugal switch were fine) I am looking at replacement. Easy as writing a check? Nope.

The openings for the washer and dryer are covered by fixed laminate countertop also affixed to a cabinet. The builder allowed just enough room to get the appliances underneath. Apparently, about 5 or so years ago, appliance manufacturers decided to add about 3/4 inch to the standard height dimension for appliances.

So now I need to take about that much off the bottom of the laminated front. There is enough there to do it but am wondering about my options (if any) for doing this without taking the counter off.

Thanks!

[motion]

If it was me, I would go to the basement below the dryer, and use a sawz all to cut a giant hole in the ceiling, and not-so-carefully lower the old dryer into the basement. Good luck

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Is this including the leveling feet on the appliances? Extended or Compressed? Can they be removed entirely to make it just fit?

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

Is this including the leveling feet on the appliances? Extended or Compressed? Can they be removed entirely to make it just fit?

I wish that were the case.

Originally Posted by motion

If it was me, I would go to the basement below the dryer, and use a sawz all to cut a giant hole in the ceiling, and not-so-carefully lower the old dryer into the basement. Good luck

Right, just like a 911 engine drop!

[dad911]

I doubt the laminate top was built on site. So it is likely screwed up from below. Loosen screws, lift and add 3/4" material.

[93nav]

Not sure if I understand. Sounds like the current space is to small for the newer, 3/4 taller dryers. Can you get the old one out without dis-assembling the counter?

NOS. Any chance of finding a NOS dryer from before the 'super size' change?

Just a thought.

[DanielDudley]

Pictures, please.
Open the doors, open the drawers, and find the screws that hold the counter top.

It will come off. Consider that you only need to get the front up for now.

[billybek]

Used dryer from craigslist?

[john70t]

Appliances have extendable screw legs for leveling. Are these retracted?

[pavulon]

Thanks for all the ideas and replies. The laundry area is on the main floor connected to the only bathroom on the main floor. As such, it gets traffic and having it look decent is important. There is no room between the washer and dryer and the front ledge of the counter (which also has a sink mounted through it at one end and walls on 3 of 4 edges). I live in a rural area and am unable to locate a unit that will slide into the opening even with the leveling legs removed. I may be able to unscrew and lift the counter high enough to slip a new dryer into the spot as there is an inch of room after getting past the front edge.

It doesn't matter but why would somebody decide to add something so trivial as 3/4" to the standard height of an appliance and then make that the new standard?

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by pavulon

Thanks for all the ideas and replies. The laundry area is on the main floor connected to the only bathroom on the main floor. As such, it gets traffic and having it look decent is important. There is no room between the washer and dryer and the front ledge of the counter (which also has a sink mounted through it at one end and walls on 3 of 4 edges). I live in a rural area and am unable to locate a unit that will slide into the opening even with the leveling legs removed. I may be able to unscrew and lift the counter high enough to slip a new dryer into the spot as there is an inch of room after getting past the front edge.

It doesn't matter but why would somebody decide to add something so trivial as 3/4" to the standard height of an appliance and then make that the new standard?

Don't have an answer, but I have a guess. Dryers are manufactured to match the height dimensions of their washer partners of the same make and model. Newer washers, especially front loaders, may have internal alterations in design that require a bit more space, vertically. For example, in my Bosch front loader, the water dispenser hoses run along the top of the internals--under the top sheet metal. The bottom internals need space for pumps and sumps. Can't speak to top loaders. Again, I don't think it's a random change, but rather one done out of design changes regarding operating.

All this being said, I haven't shopped for these appliances for many years so I don't know if all manufacturers have changed the heights or just a few. I also don't know if there is a standard dimension to which all manufacturers strive to meet, or a standard range.. If you say there is a specific measurement, I believe you.

[billybek]

Maybe look at apartment sized.
Less capacity but will most likely fit.