How Does a Portable Dryer Work?

Function

• A portable dryer's condensing system removes moisture from clothing. Some models are equipped with a sensor that detects how damp clothing is, and they apply the appropriate amount of heat needed to dry the items. Water collects in the condenser. It can be emptied by hand, or a hose attached to the condenser can direct the water into a drain.

Features

• The specific features of portable dryers may vary by manufacturer and model. Most models offer multiple drying cycles and heat options, such as a quick fluff for removing wrinkles from sheets and high heat for drying heavy items. Some portable dryers can be placed on casters, making them simple to move. A model may have a light-emitting diode (LED) display that you press or a rotary knob that you turn to select cycles and drying times.

Specifications

• Specifications for portable dryers also vary by manufacturer and model. Most are lightweight, about 100 pounds. They are available with one-year warranties that cover parts and labor. Some portable dryers are designed to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Accessories available for portable dryers include stack racks, which allow you to put a portable dryer on top of a washing machine.

Considerations

• While portable clothes dryers are beneficial because they are simple to move and do not require venting, they tend to be smaller size than other clothes dryers. They cannot dry as many clothes at one time as larger dryers. A portable dryer’s capacity typically ranges from 2.5 to 4.5 cubic feet. By comparison, a standard vented dryer can have more than 7 cubic feet of drying capacity. Some portable dryer models run on 120 volts of electricity, while others run on 240 volts.