I just bought a gas dryer, leaving a funky 3 pronged outlet unused. The outlet was connected to the fuse box as a single circuit and I would like to let the new gas outlet take advantage of this. Is there any problem replacing the 'funky' electric dryer outlet to a regular three pronged outlet, so I can plug the dryer back into this circuit?

WallyHelps

Look at this page and see if you can find the receptacle that matches your funky outlet. If you notice from that page, the 20 amp, 110 volt receptacles have one prong turned sideways. If this is what you have (AND THE VOLTAGE ACTUALLY MEASURES 110 VOLTS), I would think you could replace it with a standard 110 volt receptacle. Note that the 110V, 20A receptacle on this page actually takes either a normal (15A) plug or the 20A plug with the sideways prong.

If your "funky" outlet matches any of the 220 volt receptacles, I would not try using this receptacle.

I offer my opinion as a starting point in your research. I'm not an electrician!

Best of Luck,
WallyH

bolt in blue

Yes, it can be done. It involves doing two things: replacing the 240 volt 30 amp outlet (almost all electric clothes dryers are 240 volts on a 30 amp outlet - old ones have 3 prongs, new ones 4) with a 120 volt 15 or 20 amp outlet and also replacing the double pole circuit breaker in your panel with a single pole 20 amp breaker.

If you're not comfortable inside your circuit panel, you probably should call an electrician. If you discover that your dryer is aluminum cable (mine is), you very well may want to replace the cable. Aluminum cable definitely requires special attention, so let us know before doing anything with the aluminum.

If your dryer was wired with 3 conductor cable (3 conductors + bare ground), you simply cap off one of the hot wires on either end of the cable and connect the new outlet and breaker. If your old cable was 2 conductor (2 conductors + ground), you'll replace one of the hots that was on the double pole breaker to the neutral bar, add white tape to the end to signify it as a neutral (if you don't already have a white wire), and then mark the outlet end of the cable white as well. This is now your neutral for the 120 volt outlet.