Question:

Can you use a Propane cylinder with a Gas dryer? Its a dumb and dangerous question ...I know!?

by  |  earlier

0 LIKES UnLike

My Aunt has a gas dryer, they can't drag it to the basement and it costs too much to run a gas line...so thinking of Panic Room, I was thinking of connecting a propane tank or natural gas tank/cylinder to the back of the dryer for a cheap fix. i know its dumb and simple minded...But u think its possible?

 Tags:

   Report

8 ANSWERS


  1. Just adding my 2 cents to the idea that it is perfectly feasible, a friend of mine did just that years ago (his only option was either electric or bottled propane, no NG to the property); we simply changed out the o*****e (and some other part, don't recall what it was exactly) with a standard conversion kit, and hooked it up to a 30# tank (of course with regulator as discussed, thru the wall with the line to keep the tank outside).

    That was somewhat temporary until he got a bigger stationary propane tank which he had plumbed in for cooking also.

    I didn't see this mentioned, but I don't believe you can get a residential natural gas tank/cylinder - Nat gas is mostly methane (CH3), and will not liquify at normal temperatures and pressures, it would have to be cryogenic (meaning kept very cold, well below 0 F),  OR compressed as a very high pressure gas, which still wouldn't hold as much energy as a liquified gas.

    Getting off-topic a bit, that's one of the problems with using natural gas to power a car, the need for the high-pressure tanks with limited range.

    I still think your best bet is to find a way to lug that thing into the basement; driers aren't all that heavy, just really bulky.


  2. I have done this.  I have helped with long distance (multi-day) races.  During the races the runners will experience all kinds of weather including rain.  Someone thought it would be a good idea to hook up a gas dryer as electricity was limited.  As a mobil set up,  we needed to use propane to heat the drier.  

    Because we had a natural gas drier available we used this.  We had to make 2 changes.  You always use a regulator with a bottled gas.  (Or a liquidified bottled gas like propane.)  As the gas gets used up the pressure in the tank decreases.  The regulator keeps the pressure constant. (It "regulates" the gas pressure.)  Secondly, we changed the o*****e on the drier.  It worked fine for years.  

    I think we wrote to the manufacturer who provided us with at least the o*****e and probably a convesion kit.  We were using 30# tanks because they were easy to get.  After rainy days the drier would be used for 3 to 4 hours a day and the tank would last 2 to 3 days.  (30# = 6 to 12 hours.)

    But I would try and get the drier to the basement first.  As driers are not particularly heavy, I assume that you have a sizing problem.  You might have to take doors off from their hinges, handrails away from the stairs and/or take metal parts off of the drier temporarily.

  3. There seems to be some confusion here.

    Most natural gas appliances, including dryers, can be converted to use propane instead.  Not a big deal, but the conversion should be performed by a qualified service technician.  There will be some expense involved, amount will depend upon the make and model of the dryer and labor rates in your area.

    You can use a small propane tank for this.  The tanks used for a gas grille will not last long.  There are larger tanks available in most areas, you would have these delivered by the gas company instead of picking it up at a store.

    You will also need a regulator to reduce the pressure of the propane.  Propane in the tank is stored as a liquid under high pressure, the pressure must be reduced to allow the liquid to evaporate to a gas and allow the appliance to function properly.  The tank and the regulator must be outside.  The regulator may vent gas from time to time.  You will at least have the expense of running a line from the outside tank to the location of the dryer.  You may also have to pay for the regulator and/or the tank, depending upon where you will buy gas.

    You will have some expense involved in this.  You may find that it cost more to convert the dryer and set up the propane than it would cost to run the gas line or hire someone to move the dryer.

    Also, the cost of propane for a dryer will be considerably more than natural gas.  This could also add up to quite a bit toward the cost of running the natural gas line over a period of time.

  4. dont even think about  it.

    I can guarantee you that the dryer will explode.

      Dont believe me?? do it out in the back yard ---away from the house-- and hook the power up with an  extension cord. Wear safety glasses  so you dont burn your eyes out.

  5. Why can't they put it in the basement?  Two sickly guys or two healthy women could put it in the basement.  If you don't have access to the proper hookup, sell it and get an electric and find two women to put it in the basement for you?

  6. not sure but if you do . you will need to change the fittings on the dryer from gas fittings too propane fittings it should work you know i thought dryers were electric  

  7. ACTUALLY,ITS NOT A DUMB QUES.THE ANSWER IS YES YOU CAN,WHAT DO YOU THIK MOBILE HOMES USE.?YOU MAY HAVE TO CHANGE THE JET IN THE BURNER,BUT THATS ABOUT ALL.YOU WILL USE ALOT OF PROPANE,IS YOUR HOME SET UP FOR NA.GAS?IF SO ITS NOT THAT HARD,NOR EXSPENSIVE TO RUN A SOFT COPPER LINE TP THE BASEMENT.

  8. You sure can do this. But first it would be a better idea to look to the propane gas rather than the natural gas dryers. Propane like you are thinking of getting is far more readily available. You would just have to run the gas through a regulator to get the proper pressure for the dryer to run on. This you MUST do. An explosion or fried clothes could result. I would suggest at least a 100 pound cylinder for this. A local propane outlet can set you up with everything to hook this up.

Question Stats

Latest activity: earlier.
This question has 8 answers.

BECOME A GUIDE

Share your knowledge and help people by answering questions.