Models: BJLR473ET BJLR473GT
Dryer
Owner’s Manual
Important Safety Information
Operating Instructions
The Controls on Your Dryer
Other Dryer Features
Helpful Information
Specialized Fabric Guide
Loading Suggestions
Care of Product
If Something Goes Wrong
3
8
11
15
Before You Call For Service
Venting the Dryer
RCA Service Numbers
Warranty, Back Cover
Welcome
Welcome to the RCA family. We’re
proud of our quality products and
we believe in dependable service.
You’ll see it in this easy-to-use
manual and you’ll hear it in the
friendly voices of our customer
service department.
Best of all, you’ll experience
these values each time you do
the laundry. That’s important,
because your new dryer will be
part of your family for a long time.
Start Here!
Before
using
your
dryer
Staple your receipt to the inside back
cover of this manual.
Write down the model and serial
numbers here.
on the front of the dryer behind
the door.
Model number
Serial number
Date of purchase
They are on the label
Need Help?
Help us
help you
2
Before you call for service,
there are a few things you can
do to help us serve you better.
Read this manual.
instructions to help you use and
maintain your dryer properly.
Save time and money.
section titled “If Something Goes
Wrong” before calling. This section was designed to solve common
problems you might encounter.
It contains
Check the
If you do need service, you can
relax knowing help is only a phone
call away. A list of toll-free customer
service numbers is included on the
inside back cover.
Important Safety Information
Read all safety information before using
WARNING:
followed to minimize the risk of fire or explosion or to prevent property
damage, personal injury or loss of life.
Do not store or use gasoline
or other flammable vapors
and liquids in the vicinity of
this or any other appliance.
Installation and service must
be performed by a qualified
installer, service agency or
the gas supplier.
For your safety the information in this manual must be
IF YOU SMELL GAS
1
Do not try to light any appliance.
2
Do not touch any electrical
switch; do not use any phone
in your building.
3
Clear the room, building or
area of all occupants.
4
Immediately call your gas
supplier from a neighbor’s
phone. Follow the gas
supplier’s instructions.
5
If you cannot reach your gas
supplier, call the fire department.
California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act
This act requires the governor
of California to publish a list of
substances known to the state
to cause cancer, birth defects
or other reproductive harm
and requires businesses to warn
customers of potential exposure
to such substances.
Gas appliances can cause
minor exposure to four of these
substances, namely benzene,
carbon monoxide, formaldehyde
and soot, caused primarily by the
incomplete combustion of natural
gas or LP fuels.
Properly adjusted dryers will
minimize incomplete combustion.
Exposure to these substances can
be minimized further by properly
venting the dryer to the outdoors.
3
Important Safety Information
Read all safety information before using
Warning
To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons
when using your appliance, follow basic precautions, including
the following sections.
Safety Precautions
• Use this appliance only for its
intended purpose as described
in this Owner’s Manual.
• This dryer must be properly
installed and located in
accordance with the Installation
Instructions before it is used.
If you did not receive an
Installation Instructions sheet
with your dryer, you can obtain
one by contacting the service
location nearest you.
— Properly ground to conform
with all governing codes and
ordinances. Follow details in
Installation Instructions.
— Install or store where the tempera-
ture is above 50°F. (10°C.). Do
not install the dryer where it will
be exposed to the weather.
—
Connect to a properly rated,
protected and sized power supply
circuit to avoid electrical overload.
— Gas dryers MUST be exhausted
to the outside. Carefully follow
the Exhausting details in the
Installation Instructions.
— Exhausting electric dryers to
the outside is STRONGLY
RECOMMENDED to prevent
large amounts of moisture and
lint from being blown into the
room. Carefully follow the
Exhausting details in the
Installation Instructions.
• Do not repair or replace
any part of the appliance or
attempt any servicing unless
specifically recommended in this
Owner’s Manual or in published
user-repair instructions that you
understand and have the skills
to carry out.
• When disconnecting this
appliance pull by the plug rather
than the cord to avoid damage to
the cord or junction of cord and
plug. Make sure that the cord
is located so that it will not be
stepped on, tripped over or
otherwise subjected to damage
or stress.
4
• Exhaust Duct—See Installation
Instructions. Use only rigid metal
or flexible metal 4″ diameter
ductwork inside the dryer cabinet
or for exhausting to the outside.
USE OF PLASTIC OR OTHER
COMBUSTIBLE DUCTWORK
CAN CAUSE A FIRE.
PUNCTURED DUCTWORK
CAN CAUSE A FIRE IF IT COLLAPSES OR BECOMES OTHERWISE RESTRICTED IN USE OR
DURING INSTALLATION.
• Do not dry articles containing
rubber, plastic, or similar
materials (such as padded bras,
tennis shoes, galoshes, bath
mats, rugs, bibs, baby pants,
plastic bags, pillows, etc.) as
these materials may melt or
burn. Also, some rubber
materials, when heated, can
under certain circumstances
produce fire by spontaneous
combustion.
• Do not store items that may
burn or melt (such as clothing,
paper material, plastics or
plastic containers, etc.) on top
of the dryer during operation.
• Garments labeled “Dry Away
from Heat” or “Do not Tumble
Dry” (such as life jackets containing Kapok) must not be put in
your dryer.
• Do not wash or dry articles that
have been cleaned in, washed
in, soaked in, or spotted with
combustible or explosive
substances (such as wax, paint,
oil, gasoline, degreasers,
cleaning
which may ignite or explode. Do
not add these substances to the
wash water. Do not use these
substances around your washer
and/or dryer during operation.
• Any article on which you have
used a cleaning solvent, or
which contains flammable
materials (such as cleaning
cloths, mops, towels used in
beauty salons, restaurants,
or barber shops, etc.) must
not be placed in or near the
dryer until all traces of these
flammable liquids or solids
and their fumes have been
removed. There are many
highly flammable items used
in homes such as acetone,
denatured alcohol, gasoline,
kerosene, some household
cleaners, some spot removers,
turpentines, waxes, wax
removers and products
containing petroleum distillates.
solvents, kerosene, etc.)
dry-
5
Important Safety Information
Read all safety information before using
• Clean the lint filter before
each load to prevent lint
accumulation inside the
dryer or in the room. DO
NOT OPERATE THE DRYER
WITHOUT THE LINT FILTER
IN PLACE.
• Keep the area around and
underneath your appliances
free from the accumulation
of combustible materials,
such as lint, paper, rags,
chemicals, etc.
• The interior of the machine
and the exhaust duct
connection inside the dryer
should be cleaned periodically
by a qualified individual.
• Never reach into the dryer
while the drum is moving.
Before loading, unloading or
adding clothes, wait until the
drum has completely stopped.
• Do not dry fiberglass articles
in your dryer. Skin irritation
could result from the remaining
glass particles that may be picked
up by clothing during subsequent dryer uses.
• The laundry process can
reduce the flame retardancy
of fabrics. To avoid such a
result, the garment manufacturer’s
care instructions should be
followed very carefully.
• Close supervision is necessary
if this appliance is used by or
near children. Do not allow
children to play inside, on,
or with this appliance or any
discarded appliance. Dispose
of discarded appliances and
shipping or packing materials
properly. Before discarding a
dryer, or removing from service,
remove the door of the dryer
compartment.
• Keep all laundry aids (such
as detergents, bleaches, fabric
softeners, etc.) out of the reach
of children, preferably in a
locked cabinet. Observe all
warnings on container labels
to avoid personal injury.
• Keep the floor around your
appliances clean and dry to
reduce the possibility of slipping.
• To minimize the possibility
of electric shock, unplug this
appliance from the power supply
or disconnect the dryer at the
household distribution panel by
removing the fuse or switching
off the circuit breaker before
attempting any maintenance or
cleaning (except the removal and
cleaning of the lint filter).
• NOTE: Turning the Cycle
Selector knob to an OFF
position does NOT
disconnect the appliance
from the power supply.
6
• Do not tamper with the controls.
• Do not operate this appliance
if it is damaged, malfunctioning,
partially disassembled, or
has missing or broken parts,
including a damaged cord
or plug.
• Never climb on or stand on the
dryer top.
• If yours is a gas dryer, it is
equipped with an automatic
electric ignition and does not
have a pilot light. DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO LIGHT WITH
A MATCH. Burns may result
from having your hand in the
vicinity of the burner when the
automatic ignition may turn on.
• You may wish to soften your
laundered fabrics or reduce
the static electricity in them
by using dryer-applied fabric
softeners or an anti-static
conditioner. We recommend
you use either a fabric softener
in the wash cycle, according to
the manufacturer’s instructions
for those products, or try a
dryer-added product for which
the manufacturer gives written
assurance on the package that
their product can be safely used
in your dryer.
Service or performance problems caused by the use of these
products are the responsibility
of the manufacturers of those
products and are not covered
under the warranty of this
appliance.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
7
The
D
S
Operating Instructions
controls
on your
dryer
START
START
4
COTTONS
HIGH HEAT
KNITS
DELICATES
LOW HEAT
FABRIC CARE
PERM. PRESS
2
MED. HEAT
FLUFF
NO HEAT
PRESS GUAR
OFF
1
Clean the Lint Filter Fabric Care Selections
Clean the lint filter each time you use the dryer.
CAUTION:
Do not operate the dryer without the lint filter
in place.
8
2
Always follow Fabric Manufacturer’s Care Label or
instructions when laundering. Use this chart as a
general guide.
Drying Selections Usage
Cottons/High Heat
Perm. Press/Med. Heat
Knits Delicates/Low Heat
Fluff/No Heat
For regular to heavy cottons.
For synthetics, blends and items
labeled “permanent press.”
For delicates, synthetics and items
labeled “tumble dry low.”
For “fluffing” items without heat. Use
the Timed Dry cycle.
Cycle Descriptions
Automatic Drying Cycles Timed Dry Cycles
Cycles automatically sense fabric dryness Cycles run for a selected time
Automatic Permanent Press
For synthetic blends. Select
heavier loads,
Less Dry
for lighter loads.
AUTOMATIC
COTTONS
MORE
DRY
OFF
DEWRINKLE
More Dry
PRESS GUARD
LESS
DRY
DAMP DRY
for
Automatic Cottons
For cottons and most linens.For most loads
set at the
heavier fabrics,
OFF
40
50
MORE
DRY
60
Large Dot
Less Dry
LESS
DRY
COOL
DOWN
80 MIN
70
. Set towards
for lighter fabrics.
AUTOMATIC
PERMANENT
PRESS
PRESS
GUARD
OFF
TIMED
More Dry
for
Timed Dry
Set the Cycle Selector at
the desired drying time.
Damp Dry
To leave items partially
dry set Cycle Selector on
Damp Dry setting.
Dewrinkle
For removing wrinkles
from items that are clean
and dry or that are very
lightly damp. Set the
Cycle Selector on the
Dewrinkle setting.
NOTE:
Automatic drying times
will vary according to the
type of heat used (Electric,
Natural or LP gas), size
of load, types of fabrics,
wetness of clothes and
condition of exhaust ducts.
3
3
Selecting Drying Cycle Starting Dryer
Select an automatic or timed cycle. See the
above Cycle Descriptions.
See next page for other dryer features
4
• Close the dryer door.
• Select START.
Opening the door during the operation will
stop the dryer. To restart the dryer, close the
door and select START to complete the cycle.
9
Operating Instructions
Other dryer features your model has
Press Guard
OFF
Drum Lamp
SET
Use this option to minimize the
wrinkles in clothes. It provides
approximately 15 minutes of
no-heat tumbling after the clothes
are dry.
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 dryer opening from inside
the drum. Remove the bulb and
replace with the same size bulb.
The clothes should be removed
after the timer passes EXTRA
CARE (or PRESS GUARD) but
before the dryer stops tumbling.
This will help prevent wrinkles
from setting in.
Drying Rack
10
A handy drying rack may be used
for drying articles such as stuffed
toys, pillows or washable sweaters.
Hook the rack over the lint filter so
the rack extends into the dryer
drum.
NOTE:
•
The drying rack must be used with
the Timed Cycle.
•
Do not use this drying rack when
there are other clothes in the dryer.
Helpful Information
Specialty Care Guide
Always follow Fabric Manufacturer’s Care Label or instructions when laundering.
Otherwise use the information below as a general guide.
Item Suggested Care
Pillows Mend any holes or weak seams where feather or filling could
escape.
shake pillow, redistributing filling for even drying. Check pillow
at the end of drying time. If it is not completely dry, reset dryer
for more drying time.
Dry only one pillow at a time
. Stop dryer occasionally and
Dry on low heat only.
CAUTION:
Blankets
Cotton Use a medium heat drying setting.
Synthetic Use a low heat drying setting.
Down Use a low heat drying setting.
Extra Large Items Use a low heat drying setting.
(
Includes
comforters,
blankets and
mattress pads.)
Add 2–4 dry towels and one blanket
Dry only one blanket at a time. Do not set control for more than 25
minutes. At the end of drying cycle block the blanket back
original shape. Allow blanket to dry thoroughly before storing.
Dry only one extra large item at a time. Set dryer for 20 minutes.
When time is up, check and redistribute load. Reset dryer for 15
minutes. When time is up, check and redistribute load. Reset
and check at 5 minute intervals to ensure articles do not fill dryer
drum.
but as they dry and fluff up they may not have room to tumble.
Do not dry pillows containing foam rubber.
Large, wet articles should have ample room in the dryer,
and set timer for 20–25 minutes.
to its
timer
CAUTION:
could result in scorched items.
a low heat drying setting.
Items without
room to tumble may block air flow and
Dry mattress pads separately.
Use
11
Helpful Information
Loading
Sorting
As a general rule, if clothes are
sorted properly for the washer, they
are sorted properly for the dryer.
Sort by color
(Separate colorfast from
non-colorfast fabrics*)
• Whites
• Lights
• Darks
Separate by fabric type
• Cottons and linens
• Permanent press cottons
and blends
• Synthetic and poly knits
• Delicates
Separate lint producers from
lint collectors
• Lint producers: terry cloth and
chenille
• Lint collectors: velveteen and
corduroy
Sort by weight
• Heavy Items
• Light Items
* Non-colorfast fabrics may bleed or fade. Sort by
individual color.
Loading Hints
• Avoid drying very small loads.
• Sort clothes by weight so you
won’t have to run an extra cycle
for one or two heavier, slower
drying items.
• Do not add fabric softener sheets
once the load has become warm.
This may cause fabric softener
stains.
• Do not overload. This causes
inefficient operation and
unnecessary wrinkling. Clothes
need to tumble freely.
• Do not dry the following items:
• Fiberglass items
• Woolens
• Rubber coated items
• Plastics
• Items with plastic trim
• Foam-filled items
12
Care & Cleaning
The Interior
The Exterior
The Lint Filter
The drum is rust-resistant and
requires no special care.
Wipe off any spills or washing
compounds. Wipe or dust with
a damp cloth. Try not to strike
the surface with sharp objects.
Dryer control panel and finishes
may be damaged by some laundry
pretreatment soil and stain remover
products if such products are
sprayed on or have direct contact
with the dryer.
Before every dryer use, clean the
lint filter. Moisten your fingers and
reach into the filter opening. Run
your fingers across the filter.
Apply these pretreatment products
away from the dryer. The fabric
may then be washed and dried
normally. Damage to your dryer
caused by pretreatment products
is not covered by your warranty.
Storage
To keep your dryer operating at
peak performance, be sure to have
a technician vacuum the lint from
the machine every three years.
To store your dryer for a short
period of time, disconnect the
power supply and clean the lint
filter.
13
Helpful Information
The Exhaust Duct
The Exhaust Hood
Inspect and clean the dryer
exhaust ducting at least once
a year to prevent clogging. A
partially clogged exhaust can
lengthen the drying time.
• Make sure the inside flaps of the
exhaust hood move freely (you
may want to check with a mirror).
To clean the exhaust duct follow
these steps:
1
Turn off electrical supply by
disconnecting the plug from
the wall socket.
2
Disconnect exhaust duct from
the dryer.
3
Vacuum the exhaust duct with
the hose attachment
4
Reconnect the exhaust duct to
the dryer.
.
Check the inside of the exhaust
hood with a mirror to rid of debris
• Make sure inside flaps are fully
open when dryer is operating.
• Make sure there is not wild life
(birds, insects, etc.) nesting
inside the exhaust duct or hood.
14
If Something Goes Wrong
Before you call for service
Problem Possible Causes What to Do
Dryer doesn’t Start
Dryer doesn’t Heat
Dryer Shakes or Makes
Excessive Noise
Greasy Spots on
Clothes
Dryer is unplugged • Make sure the dryer plug is pushed
completely into the outlet.
Fuse is blown/circuit • Check the house fuse/circuit breaker
breaker is tripped box and replace fuse or reset
NOTE:
Most electric dryers use two breakers.
Fuse is blown/circuit breaker
is tripped, the dryer may and replace fuse or reset breaker.
tumble but not heat
Gas service is off • Make sure gas shutoff at dryer and main
Some shaking/noise is normal.
Dryer may be sitting unevenly adjust as necessary until even.
Improper use of fabric softener•Follow directions on fabric softener package.
Drying dirty items with •
clean ones
• Check the house fuse/circuit breaker box
shutoff are fully open.
• Move dryer to a flat place on the floor, or
Use your dryer to dry only clean items. Dirty
items can stain clean items and the dryer.
breaker.
Lint on Clothes
Clothes were not completely •
clean
Lint filter is full • Clean lint screen before each load.
Improper sorting • Sort lint producers (like chenille) from
Static electricity can attract lint
Overloading • Separate large loads into smaller ones.
Paper, tissue, etc. left in pockets•Empty all pockets before laundering clothes.
Sometimes stains which cannot be seen when
the clothes are wet “appear” after drying. Use
proper washing procedures before drying.
lint collectors (like corduroy).
•
See suggestions in this section under STATIC.
15
If Something Goes Wrong
Problem Possible Causes What to Do
Static Occurs
Clothes Take
too Long to Dry
Overdrying • Try a fabric softener.
•
Adjust controls for less drying.
No fabric softener was used • Try a fabric softener.
Synthetics, permanent press
and blends can cause static
Improper sorting • Separate heavy items from lightweight items
Large loads of heavy fabrics • Large, heavy fabrics contain more moisture
(like beach towels) and take longer to dry. Separate large, heavy
Controls improperly set
Lint filter is full •
Improper or obstructed • Check installation instructions for proper
ducting ducting/venting.
• Try a fabric softener.
(generally, a well-sorted washer load is a
well-sorted dryer load).
fabrics into smaller loads to speed drying time.
• Match control settings to the load you
are drying.
Clean lint filter before every load.
• Make sure ducting is clean, free of kinks
and unobstructed.
16
• Check to see if outside wall damper
operates easily.
• See the Venting the Dryer section.
Blown fuses or tripped •
circuit breakers most dryers use 2 fuses/breakers, make sure
Overloading/ • Do not put more than one washer load in
combining loads the dryer at a time.
Underloading • If you are drying only one or two items,
Replace fuses or reset circuit breakers. Since
both are operating.
add a few items to ensure proper tumbling.
Problem Possible Causes What to Do
Clothes are Wrinkled
Clothes Shrink
Overdrying • Select a shorter drying time.
• Remove items while they still hold a slight
amount of moisture.
Letting items sit in dryer • Remove items when cycle ends and fold or
after cycle ends hang immediately.
Some fabrics will naturally • To avoid shrinkage, follow garment care
shrink when washed. Others labels exactly.
can be safely washed, but will
shrink in the dryer.
•
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.
17
If Something Goes Wrong
Venting the Dryer
For the best drying performance
the dryer needs to be properly
vented.
on Exhausting in the Installation
Instructions.
Carefully follow the details
Correct Venting
• Use only rigid metal or flexible
metal 4″ diameter ductwork
inside the dryer cabinet or for
exhausting to the outside.
• Do not use plastic or other com-
bustible ductwork.
• Use the shortest length possible.
• Do not crush or collapse.
• Avoid resting the duct on sharp
objects.
•
Venting must conform to local
building codes.
Incorrect Venting
18
Notes
19
Notes
20
Notes
21
RCA Service Numbers
We’ll be there!
In-Home Repair Service
800-GE-CARES
(800-432-2737)
For Customers With
Impaired Hearing
800-833-4322
A GE consumer service professional
will provide expert repair service,
scheduled at a time that’s convenient for you. Many GE Consumer
Service company-operated locations offer you service today or
tomorrow, or at your convenience
(7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. weekdays,
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturdays).
Consumers with impaired
hearing or speech who have
access to a TDD or a conventional
teletypewriter may call 800-TDDGEAC (800-833-4322) to request
information or service.
Our factory-trained technicians
know your appliance inside and
out—so most repairs can be handled in just one visit.
Service Contracts
800-626-2224
22
You can have the secure feeling that GE Consumer Service will still
be there after your warranty expires.
warranty is still in effect and you’ll receive a substantial discount. With a
multiple-year contract, you’re assured of future service at today’s prices.
Purchase a GE contract while your
Parts and Accessories
800-626-2002
Individuals qualified to service
their
own appliances can have
parts or accessories sent directly
to their home. The GE parts system
provides access to over 47,000
parts…and all GE Genuine Renewal
Parts are fully warranted. VISA,
MasterCard and Discover cards
are accepted.
Care and cleaning instructions contained in this manual cover procedures to be performed by any user.
Other servicing generally should be
referred to qualified service personnel. Caution must be exercised,
since improper servicing may cause
unsafe operation.
Further Service
We’re proud of our service and
want you to be pleased. If for some
reason you are not happy with the
service you receive, here are three
steps to follow for further help.
First,
contact the people who serviced your appliance. Explain why
you are not pleased. In most cases,
this will solve the problem.
Next,
if you are still not pleased,
write all the details—including
your phone number—to:
Manager, Consumer Relations
RCA Appliances, Appliance Park
Louisville, KY 40225
Finally,
not resolved, write:
Major Appliance Consumer
Action Program
20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
if your problem is still
23
DRYER
WARRANTY
Staple sales slip or cancelled check here. Proof of original purchase
date is needed to obtain service under warranty.
What is Covered
What is Not
Covered
FULL ONE-YEAR WARRANTY
For one year from date of original
purchase, we will provide, free of charge,
parts and service labor in your home to
repair or replace any part of the dryer that
fails because of a manufacturing defect.
• Service trips to your home to teach you
how to use the product.
Read your Owner’s Manual. If you then
have any questions about
product, please contact
Manager, Consumer Affairs
RCA Appliances
Appliance Park
Louisville, KY 40225
• Improper installation.
operating the
your dealer or:
************************************
This warranty is extended to the original
purchaser and any succeeding owner for
products purchased for ordinary home
use in the 48 mainland states, Hawaii and
Washington, D.C. In Alaska the warranty
is the same except that it is LIMITED
because you must pay to ship the product
to the service shop or for the service technician’s travel costs to your home.
FOR SERVICE
We at RCA strive to provide the highest
quality products and service. Therefore
we have designated GE CONSUMER
SERVICE, a leader in the service industry, to fulfill your service needs.
Should your appliance need service,
during warranty period or beyond, call
800-GE-CARES (800-432-2737).
If you have an installation problem,
contact your dealer or installer. You
responsible for providing adequate
trical, exhausting and other connecting
facilities.
• Replacement of house fuses or resetting
of circuit breakers.
• Failure of the product if it is misused,
or used for other than the intended
purpose or used commercially.
Damage to product caused by accident,
•
fire, floods or acts of God.
are
elec-
WARRANTOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above
limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may
also have other rights which vary from state to state. To know what your legal rights are in your state, consult your local or state consumer affairs office or your state’s Attorney General.
Warrantor: RCA Appliances If further help is needed concerning this warranty, write:
Manager—Consumer Affairs, RCA Appliances, Louisville, KY 40225
Part No. 113D5580P206-1
Pub. No. 79-9049
9-95 CG
C
Printed in Louisville, KY
BJLR473ET BJLR473GT
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