GE GFDS250 (01) PDF Document

To reduce the risk of fire, explosion, electric shock, or injury when using your GE GFDS250, follow these basic precautions:

• Read all instructions before using the appliance.

• DO NOT dry articles that have been previously cleaned in, washed in, soaked in, or spotted with gasoline, dry-cleaning solvents, or other flammable or explosive substances, as they give off vapors that could ignite or explode.

• DO NOT allow children to play on or in this appliance. Close supervision of children is necessary when this appliance is used near children. Before the appliance is removed from service or discarded, remove the door to the drying compartment.

• DO NOT reach into the appliance if the drum is moving.

• DO NOT install or store this appliance where it will be exposed to the weather.

• DO NOT tamper with controls, repair or replace any part of this appliance or attempt any servicing unless specifically recommended in the user maintenance instructions or in published user repair instructions that you understand and have the skills to carry out.

• DO NOT use fabric softeners or products to eliminate static unless recommended by the manufacturer of the fabric softener or product.

• DO NOT use heat to dry articles containing foam rubber or similarly textured rubber-like materials.

• Clean lint screen before or after each load. DO NOT operate the dryer without the lint filter in place.

• Do not store combustible materials, gasoline or other flammable liquids near the dryer. Keep the area around the exhaust opening and adjacent surrounding areas free from the accumulation of lint, dust, and dirt. Keep the dryer area clear and free from items that would obstruct the flow of combustion and ventilation air.

• The interior of the appliance and exhaust duct should be cleaned periodically by qualified service personnel.

• DO NOT place items exposed to cooking oils in your dryer. Items contaminated with cooking oils may contribute to a chemical reaction that could cause a load to catch fire.

• Keep the floor around your appliances clean and dry to reduce the possibility of slipping.

• Unplug the appliance or turn off the circuit breaker before servicing. Pressing the Power or Start/Pause button DOES NOT disconnect power.

• DO NOT operate this appliance if it is damaged, malfunctioning, partially disassembled, or has missing or broken parts, including a damaged cord or plug.

• DO NOT spray any type of aerosol into, on or near the dryer at any time. Do not use any type of spray cleaner when cleaning the dryer interior. Hazardous fumes or electrical shock could occur.

• See “Electrical Connection” located in the Installation Instructions for grounding instructions.

For your safety, the information in this manual must be followed to minimize the risk of fire or explosion or to prevent damage, personal injury, or death.

• DO NOT store or use gasoline or other flammable vapors and liquids in the vicinity of this or any other appliance.

• WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS:

– DO NOT try to light any appliance.

– DO NOT touch any electrical switch; DO NOT use any phone in your building.

– Clear the room, building, or area of any occupants.

– Immediately call your gas supplier from a neighbor’s phone. Follow the gas supplier’s instructions.

– If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call the fire department.

• Installation and service must be performed by a qualified installer, service agency, or the gas supplier.

Step 1. Press the Power button. If the screen is dark, a press of the Power button will “wake up” the display.

Step 2. Select a dry cycle. (Defaults are set for each cycle. These default settings can be changed. See Control settings for more information.)

Step 3. Press the Start/Pause button.

The dry cycle on your GE GFDS250 controls the length and tumble speed of the drying process. The chart below will help you match the dry setting with the loads.

You can change the temperature of your dry cycle on your GE GFDS250 dryer using the Dry Temp button. Here are the available options:

The sensor on your GE GFDS250 continuously monitors the amount of moisture in the load. When the moisture in your clothes reaches your selected dry level, the dryer will stop. NOTE: Sensor dry Level only works with Cottons, Normal, Active Wear, Delicates, Speed Dry, Bulky, Towels/Sheets, Sanitize and Steam Dewrinkle cycles.

The My Cycle feature on your GE GFDS250 allows you to set up your favorite combination of settings and save them for one-touch recall.

To store a My Cycle combination of settings:

1. Select your drying cycle.

2. Change Temp and Level settings to fit your needs.

3. Select any drying options you want.

4. Press and hold the My Cycle button for 3 seconds to store your selection. A beep will sound and the button will light up.

To recall your stored My Cycle combination:

Press the MY CYCLE button before drying a load.

To change your stored My Cycle combination:

Repeat steps 1-4.

Your GE GFDS250 dryer comes with several options to customize your drying cycles:

• Add Time: Press to add time to the Steam Dewrinkle, Warm Up, Air Fluff or Time Dry cycles.

• Start/Pause: Press to start a dry cycle. If the dryer is running, press it once and it will pause the dryer. Press it again to resume the dry cycle.

• Steam Refresh Cycle: For slightly wrinkled dry garments. Significantly reduces wrinkles on up to 5 garments. After the cycle, the unit will beep and display “0:00.” If the unit is not turned off or the door is not opened, the dryer will continue to tumble for 30 minutes.

• Detangle (on some models): Activates reverse tumbling to reduce tangling, dry more evenly, and improve drying times. Typical loads such as bed and bath mixed loads benefit from this capability.

• eDry: Reduces the total energy consumption of specific dryer cycles by adjusting certain heat settings. This can be used with Cottons, Normal, Active Wear, Delicates, Speed Dry, Bulky, Towels-Sheets, Sanitize and Steam Dewrinkle.

• Extended Tumble: Minimizes wrinkles by adding approximately 60 minutes of no-heat tumbling after clothes are dry. The beeper will sound every five minutes as a reminder to remove the clothes.

• Damp Alert: This option causes the dryer to beep when clothes have dried to a damp level. Remove items that you wish to hang dry. The Damp Alert will only beep when this option is selected.

• Delay Dry: Use to delay the start of your dryer. Choose your cycle and options, press Delay Dry to set the time in 1-hour increments, then press Start/Pause to begin the countdown.

• Light (on some models): Press the button to turn on the light in the dryer. Press it again to turn the light off. The light will turn off by itself after one minute when the door is shut.

• Volume: Alerts you that the cycle is complete. Press Volume to select low, medium or high volume, or to turn the beeper off.

• Lock Control: You can lock the controls to prevent any selections from being made. To lock or unlock the dryer controls, press and hold the Lock Control button for 3 seconds. The Power button can still be used when the machine is locked.

• eMonitor (on some models): The eMonitor lights display the relative energy use of your selected cycle and options. They range from Good (1 light) to Better (5 lights).

• Clean Filter Message: This message is a reminder and does not always appear when the filter needs cleaning. The filter should be cleaned after every drying cycle is complete. This message will disappear after the Start/Pause button is pressed.

• Display: Displays the approximate time remaining until the end of the cycle. As the cycle begins, you will see an initial approximate total cycle time. Then lights will “race” in the display, indicating the dryer is monitoring moisture. Once a low level of moisture is sensed, the dryer will calculate and display the approximate time remaining.

Always follow the fabric manufacturer’s care label when laundering. Below are fabric care label “symbols” that affect the clothing you will be laundering.

• As a general rule, if clothes are sorted properly for the washer, they are sorted properly for the dryer. Try also to sort items according to size. For example, do not dry a sheet with socks or other small items.

• Do not add fabric softener sheets once the load has become warm. They may cause fabric softener stains.

• Do not overload. This wastes energy and causes wrinkling.

The handy drying rack (on some models) may be used for drying delicate items such as washable sweaters. Place items flat on the drying rack and block such items as wool sweaters and delicate fabrics. Dry with low heat.

To install the drying rack, extend the drying rack into the dryer drum. Rest the front two legs on the front angled ledge and then rest the rear two legs on the rear angled edge.

NOTES:

• The drying rack is designed for use with the Time Dry cycles. Use with sensor cycles may result in damp items or extended cycle times.

• Do not use this drying rack when there are other clothes in the dryer that are not placed on the rack.

• The Exterior: Wipe or dust any spills or washing compounds with a damp cloth. Dryer control panel and finishes may be damaged by some laundry pretreatment soil and stain remover products. Apply these products away from the dryer.

• The Lint Filter: Clean the lint filter before each use. Pull out the lint filter. Moisten your fingers and remove the captured lint. Once clean, slide the filter back into position. Have a qualified technician vacuum the lint from the dryer once a year. NEVER OPERATE THE DRYER WITHOUT ITS FILTER IN PLACE.

• Stainless Steel: To clean stainless steel surfaces use a damp cloth with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner suitable for stainless steel surfaces. Remove the cleaner residue and then dry with a clean cloth.

• Dryer Interior and Duct: The interior of the appliance and exhaust duct should be cleaned once a year by qualified service personnel.

• The Exhaust Duct: Inspect and clean the exhaust ducting at least once a year to prevent clogging. A partially clogged exhaust can lengthen the drying time.

• The Exhaust Hood: Check with a mirror that the inside flaps of the hood move freely when operating. Make sure that there is no wildlife (birds, insects, etc.) nesting inside the duct or hood.

This procedure is for models GFDS250, GFDS255, GFDS260 and GFDS265 only.

Before replacing the light bulb, be sure to unplug the dryer power cord or disconnect the dryer at the household distribution panel by removing the fuse or switching off the circuit breaker. Reach above the dryer opening from inside the drum. Remove the bulb and replace with the same size bulb. The drum lamp only turns on automatically when the dryer door is open.

Some shaking/noise is normal. However, if it’s excessive, the dryer may be sitting unevenly. You should move the dryer to an even floor space, or adjust the leveling legs as necessary until it is even.

There are several possible reasons why your GE GFDS250 is taking too long to dry clothes:

• Improper or obstructed ducting: Check the Installation Instructions to make sure the dryer venting is correct. Make sure ducting is clean, free of kinks and unobstructed, and check if the outside wall damper operates easily.

• Improper sorting: Separate heavy items from lightweight items. A well-sorted washer load is a well-sorted dryer load.

• Large loads of heavy fabrics: Large, heavy fabrics contain more moisture and take longer to dry. Separate them into smaller loads to speed drying time.

• Controls improperly set: Match control settings to the load you are drying.

• Lint filter is full: Clean the lint filter before every load.

• Blown fuses or tripped circuit breaker: Replace fuses or reset circuit breakers. Since most dryers use 2 fuses/breakers, make sure both are operating.

• Overloading/combining loads: Do not put more than one washer load in the dryer at a time.

• Underloading: If you are drying only one or two items, add a few items to ensure proper tumbling.

If your load consists of a mixture of heavy and light fabrics, it may still be damp. When combining heavy and light fabrics in a load, choose More Dry. Also, check if the exhaust system is blocked and clean it if necessary.

• Controls accidentally put in service mode: Press Start/Pause.

• Controls accidentally put in lock mode: Hold the Lock Control button for 3 seconds to unlock the dryer.

• Controls performed an incorrect operation: Reset the in-house breaker.

• Control panel is “asleep”: This is normal. Press Power to activate the control panel.

• Dryer is unplugged: Make sure the dryer plug is pushed completely into the outlet.

• Fuse is blown/circuit breaker is tripped: Check the building’s fuse/circuit breaker box and replace fuse or reset breaker. NOTE: Electric dryers use two fuses or breakers.

• Dryer was accidentally paused when starting Delay Dry: If the light on the Start/Pause button is flashing, the dryer is paused. Press Start/Pause to restart the countdown.

This is normal. The dryer is continuously monitoring the amount of moisture in the clothes. When the dryer senses a low level of moisture in the load, it will display the dry time remaining.

This is normal. The estimated time may change when a smaller load than usual is drying.

This is normal. The dryness Level, Temp, or option that you are trying to select is incompatible with the chosen dry cycle.

This is normal. The Ext Tumble option was chosen. During extended tumbling, the time remaining is not displayed. The extended tumbling option lasts approximately 60 minutes.

The message appears when the Power button was activated. Press Start/Pause to begin a dry cycle and the message will disappear.

• Fuse is blown/circuit breaker is tripped: The dryer may tumble but not heat. Check the building’s fuse/circuit breaker box and replace both fuses or reset both breakers. Your dryer may tumble if only one fuse is blown or one breaker tripped.

• Gas service is off (gas models only): Make sure the gas shutoff at the dryer and the main shutoff are fully open.

• LP gas supply tank is empty or there has been a utility interruption (gas models only): Refill or replace the tank. The dryer should heat when utility service is restored.

• Type of heat: Drying time will vary according to the type of heat used. If you recently changed from an electric to a gas (natural or LP) dryer, or vice versa, the drying time could be different.

• Type of load and drying conditions: The load size, types of fabric, wetness of clothes, and the length and condition of the exhaust system will affect drying times.

• The door was opened mid-cycle: A dry cycle must be reselected each time a new load is put in.

• Small load: When drying 3 items or less, choose Speed Dry or Time Dry.

• Load was already dry except for collars and waistbands: Choose Speed Dry or Time Dry to dry damp collars and waistbands. In the future, when drying a load with collars and waistbands, choose More Dry.

• Dryer is not level: Move dryer to an even floor space or adjust leveling legs as necessary until even.

• Overdrying: Select a shorter drying time. Remove items while they still hold a slight amount of moisture by selecting a Less Dry or Damp setting.

• Letting items sit in dryer after cycle ends: Remove items when the cycle ends and fold or hang immediately, or use the Ext Tumble option.

• Overloading: Separate large loads into smaller ones.

Some fabrics will naturally shrink when washed. Others can be safely washed, but will shrink in the dryer.

• To avoid shrinkage, follow garment care labels exactly.

• Some items may be pressed back into shape after drying.

• If you are concerned about shrinkage in a particular item, do not machine wash or tumble dry it.

• Improper use of fabric softener: Follow directions on the fabric softener package.

• Drying dirty items with clean ones: Use your dryer to dry only clean items. Dirty items can stain clean items and the dryer.

• Clothes were not completely clean: Sometimes stains which cannot be seen when the clothes are wet appear after drying. Use proper washing procedures before drying.

• Lint filter is full: Clean lint screen before each load.

• Improper sorting: Sort lint producers (like chenille) from lint collectors (like corduroy).

• Static electricity can attract lint: See suggestions in the section under Static occurs.

• Overloading: Separate large loads into smaller ones.

• Paper, tissue, etc., left in pockets: Empty all pockets before laundering clothes.

• No fabric softener was used: Try a fabric softener.

• Overdrying: Try a fabric softener and/or adjust the setting to Less Dry or Damp.

• Synthetics, permanent press and blends can cause static: Try a fabric softener.

The dryness monitor senses that the body of the clothes is dry before thicker parts like collars and waistbands are. Choose Speed Dry or Time Dry to dry damp collars and waistbands. In the future, when drying a load with collars and waistbands, choose More Dry.

This is normal. Due to the metallic properties of paint used for this unique product, slight variations of color may occur due to viewing angles and lighting conditions.

This is normal. Steam condenses on the inner door.

This is normal. Steam condenses on these surfaces.

Steam condenses on the inner drum. If using the Steam Dewrinkle cycle, manually reduce the cycle time. If using the Steam Refresh cycle, add more garments to the load.

This can be caused by an inadequate load size for the steam cycle selected. Excess steam condenses inside the cabinet and leaks out. If using the Steam Dewrinkle cycle, manually reduce the cycle time. If using the Steam Refresh cycle, add more garments to the load.

• Loose water hose connection to valve: Tighten the connection.

• Hose missing rubber washer at connection with valve: Install the rubber washer provided with the hose.

This is normal. The water valve is open, filling the steam generator, and the steam generator is dispensing steam into the drum.

This is normal. Steam condenses on the inner door.

This is normal. Steam is released at different times in the cycle.

The steam nozzle might be clogged with debris from your water supply. You may need to order a nozzle replacement kit or request a technician to replace it for you.

The load may contain too many garments. Load fewer garments and manually increase the time.

The Ext Tumble option was selected. Ensure Ext Tumble option is not selected. For the Steam Refresh cycle, Ext Tumble will automatically be turned on and cannot be turned off.