Hi,

**and I don't know if I can run it safely (with the filter, of course) or if I need to have it cleaned before using it again**

Use your best judgement, don't leave the room if you try ( just in case )...probably is best to clean it out first...JMO!

**is cleaning the inside of my dryer something I can do myself (with hubby's help) or do I need to call in a pro?**

We don't know your mechanical abilities, but you probably can as dryers are normally not that bad to access and vacuum out.

Need the dryer make and model# to know what style of dryer you have.

http://www.applianceaid.com/model.html

Some model# helps.

jeff.

Appliance Repair Aid

http://www.applianceaid.com/

JRAppliance

http://www.jrappliance.ca

** I accidentally ran my dryer without the filter, just for a couple of minutes. It must have been enough for lint to get close to the heating elements, because there was a burning smell in the dryer. **

Either lint or possibly clothing. Did you notice any missing socks, etc.?

** I don't know if I can run it safely or if I need to have it cleaned before using it again. **

Just the small amount of lint which could get through in that length of time shouldn't hurt anything in the dryer, but a piece of clothing is something else. In the latter case, I would suggest the dryer NOT be used until any foreign items can be totally removed from the dryer.

JMO

Dan O.

www.Appliance411.com/?ref411=Clothes+Dryer

The Appliance Information Site

=D~~~~~~

Thank you both for your reply!

I did try to run it just for a few seconds and the smell came right back, so it's clear I'll need to clean it out. It seems unlikely that clothing would have gone through, given the tight space it would have had to pass though, but I just can't take the chance... I'll have to look!

I looked up the model #, it's a GE mod. # DPSR483EA1WW. Does that tell us anything?

Thank you again for your help!

**DPSR483EA1WW**

A newer style GE dryer.

Some take apart helps...

http://www.applianceaid.com/take-apart.html

http://www.applianceaid.com/ge-dryers.html

The element is behind the drum on this style of an dryer. This style is bad for lint building up in the housing before the fan blower. Best of luck with it!

jeff.

Appliance Repair Aid

http://www.applianceaid.com/

JRAppliance

http://www.jrappliance.ca

Thanks so much, Jeff, this is a lot more involved than I thought! I thought we would unscrew a panel in the back and that was going to be it... We'll try to take it apart and clean it this afternoon, thank you so much for your detailed instructions, I'm sure they will prove to be very useful :o) Thanks again,

Aline

Thank goodness, my husband took on the task, and it was worth it! The amount of lint in there was just amazing. We're all set now, with a dryer that runs like a charm! We did get a little "tweeting" noise when we first ran it, but it seems to have settled. Thanks again, we couldn't have done it without you :o)

Aline

Thankx for the update! :)

jeff.

Appliance Repair Aid

http://www.applianceaid.com/

JRAppliance

http://www.jrappliance.ca