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The main risk of fire from home dryers (and commercial dryers for that matter) is from the accummulation of LINT inside the ductwork.

Gas dryers vent through the same pipe as the lint, and the gas flame provides a source of ignition. As a result the risk of fire with a gas dryer is much higher than an electric dryer, according to the nfpa.

Electric dryers can still cause fires, but the vent has to be significantly obstructed before enough heat is generated to start a fire. The extended drying times that result from an obstructed vent usually cause people to get the dryer repaired before it reaches the point it could start a fire.

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12y ago
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12y ago

The primary cause of dryer fires is excess lint buildup in the vent. To cause a fire, however, both the lint and an ignition source are needed.

In an electric dryer, there is no flame, so either the lint to air ratio must be just right to cause a fire, or the dryer must overheat to the point that it can start the fire. The vent must be nearly clogged for this heat level to occur, and the dryer will stop drying clothes effectively well before this point, so usually the user has the dryer serviced before lint buildup can reach dangerous levels.

A gas dryer generates the drying heat with a flame, and the vent for this flame is the dryer duct - the same duct that is exhausting the lint. The flame is an ignition source, so a gas dryer fire can start with must less lint buildup, given the presence of an ignition source.

The pushbutton igniters have also been a source of problems with gas dryers, and fires often start when the igniter is pushed.

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Q: Why do gas dryers cause more fires than electric dryers?
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