Steam is the hottest trend in clothes dryers and LG Electronics is the manufacturer that's leading the way with this laundry innovation. Joining the existing Tromm steam washer is LG's companion steam dryer, model DLGX8388 (gas)/DLEX8377 (electric).

The steam setting in this dryer is designed to refresh wrinkled garments and eliminate the need to iron them. To refresh up to five garments at one time, you simply place them in the dryer for steaming and tumbling. In about 20 minutes you can expect to have the creases removed and the garments ready to wear. This steam feature is not only used to refresh clothing, it's also added to the end of a normal cycle. The benefit here is that it can help to reduce static in fabrics -- especially during the dry winter months. The function of steam in this dryer is almost identical to the steam settings of the competing Whirlpool dryers. While Whirlpool promotes steam's usefulness for preventing wrinkles during extended tumble, LG Electronics focuses on steam's ability to limit static in the final stages of the cycle. In truth, both claims are valid and both machines offer these benefits.

The steaming process works quite well on this model, but adds plenty to the cost of the dryer. Dampening garments or drying them with a wet towel in a conventional dryer will produce a similar, but far more cost effective result. However, if spend you must, this dryer conveniently offers this useful feature on a model that's otherwise typical of the expensive dryers that accompany the new front-load laundry pairs.

Like most of these new dryers, the DLGX8388/DLEX8377 offers a moisture sensor to protect clothing from shrinkage and control heat damage. Taking it a step further, LG Electronics has equipped this model with an additional sensor that controls energy usage. The result is efficient use of energy and clothing that's protected from the over-drying that's common in thermostatically controlled dryers. In our opinion, the sensor feature is the best thing to happen to clothes dryers since their invention; look for models that offer sensors to eliminate shrinkage and damage from your laundry forever.

In most other ways, this LG Electronics dryer is comparable to what we see offered in this category. The dryer has five temperatures and a choice of nine programs. The capacity of 7.3 cubic feet is large, but typical of available models that range from 6.7 to 7.4 cubic feet. When it comes to size, we caution you not to choose based solely on capacity. Features have far more to do with the machine's performance than a few tenths of a cubic foot of interior space.

An outstanding dryer in an exciting new design, LG's DLGX8388/DLEX8377 offers all the best features of the newest dryers, plus an innovative steam function that attacks wrinkles in two effective ways.


Pros: Excellent dryer with an added steam function that removes wrinkles, sensors monitor drying and control energy usage.
Cons: One of the most expensive

Warranty
1 year