Charcoal smell from electric clothes dryer?

Unused Classified

unread,

Nov 22, 2010, 9:59:19 AM11/22/10

to

I noticed a new odd behavior from my 10 year old electric Kitchen Aid
dryer, the clothes smell like charcoal or lighter fluid.
I checked the lint trap and it was empty.
Is this a symptom of some common problem?
Thanks

ransley

unread,

Nov 22, 2010, 11:18:37 AM11/22/10

to

Are you sure the exhaust hose isnt full if lint blocking airflow, that
could burn out a unit, I wouldnt use it till its checked out.

Mikepier

unread,

Nov 22, 2010, 12:22:51 PM11/22/10

to

Does it smell like possibly the belt is burning or rubbing against
something?

Name Classified

unread,

Nov 22, 2010, 8:13:59 PM11/22/10

to

I just cleaned out the exhaust hose, there was a very small amount of
lint in there, not enough to cause a problem.

The smell is really exactly like lighter fluid or charcoal.

Thanks for the ideas.

Bob

unread,

Nov 22, 2010, 8:38:59 PM11/22/10

to

On 11/22/2010 06:59, Unused Classified wrote:
> I noticed a new odd behavior from my 10 year old electric Kitchen Aid
> dryer, the clothes smell like charcoal or lighter fluid.
> I checked the lint trap and it was empty.

Have you checked the air intake path across the heating coil? That's
the most likely source if the clothes smell bad. The air goes through
the fan and filter after it passes through the tumbler.

--

Bob(but not THAT Bob)

unread,

Nov 22, 2010, 9:07:37 PM11/22/10

to

Haven't a clue - but if you use charcoal lighter fluid when you cook
out, you're ruining your steaks - consider one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Weber-7416-Rapidfire-Chimney-Starter/dp/B000WEOQV8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1290478000&sr=1-1

jeff_wisnia

unread,

Nov 23, 2010, 1:22:09 PM11/23/10

to

Unused Classified wrote:

Anybody leave a Zippo lighter in a pants pocket?

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10e12 furlongs per fortnight.

N8N

unread,

Nov 23, 2010, 1:47:14 PM11/23/10

to

On Nov 22, 9:07 pm, "Bob(but not THAT Bob)" <nob...@nowhere.com>
wrote:

> Unused Classified wrote:
>
> > I noticed a new odd behavior from my 10 year old electric Kitchen Aid
> > dryer, the clothes smell like charcoal or lighter fluid.
> > I checked the lint trap and it was empty.
> > Is this a symptom of some common problem?
> > Thanks
>
> Haven't a clue - but if you use charcoal lighter fluid when you cook
> out, you're ruining your steaks - consider one of these:
>

> http://www.amazon.com/Weber-7416-Rapidfire-Chimney-Starter/dp/B000WEO...

Been doing that for years... but I just take a coffee can and a bottle
opener and make my own. No handle, keep a pair of Channellocks handy
to remove it. If it starts falling apart, make a new one.

nate

Message has been deleted

llruna3

unread,

Jul 27, 2016, 5:44:04 PM7/27/16

to

replying to Unused Classified, llruna3 wrote:
Anyone figure this out? I'm having the exact same problem from my 7yr old LG
dryer. I've noticed that drying on Air Dry, eliminates the smell. So it must
be something to do with the gas. ..

--
posted from
http://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/charcoal-smell-from-electric-clothes-dryer-605671-.htm

gregz

unread,

Jul 28, 2016, 3:16:06 AM7/28/16

to

llruna3 <caedfaa9ed1216d60e...@example.com> wrote:
> replying to Unused Classified, llruna3 wrote:
> Anyone figure this out? I'm having the exact same problem from my 7yr old LG
> dryer. I've noticed that drying on Air Dry, eliminates the smell. So it must
> be something to do with the gas. ..

Charcoal is pretty much odorless, unless you have used awful charcoal
lighter fluid.

Greg

Micky

unread,

Jul 28, 2016, 5:32:38 PM7/28/16

to

On Wed, 27 Jul 2016 21:44:01 +0000, llruna3
<caedfaa9ed1216d60e...@example.com> wrote:

>replying to Unused Classified, llruna3 wrote:
>Anyone figure this out? I'm having the exact same problem from my 7yr old LG
>dryer. I've noticed that drying on Air Dry, eliminates the smell. So it must
>be something to do with the gas. ..

Or the heat.

DerbyDad03

unread,

Jul 28, 2016, 5:50:44 PM7/28/16

to

On Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 5:44:04 PM UTC-4, llruna3 wrote:
> replying to Unused Classified, llruna3 wrote:
> Anyone figure this out? I'm having the exact same problem from my 7yr old LG
> dryer. I've noticed that drying on Air Dry, eliminates the smell. So it must
> be something to do with the gas. ..
>

It could be lint build-up within the unit. You would be surprised how much
lint can be built up on the inside of the internal duct work, on the
blower, around the motor, etc.

As this lint heats up, it could become odoriferous.

http://media.merchantcircle.com/19471949/inside%20dryer%20cabinet%202_full.jpeg