22 under control of the controller 12 to dry the moisture laden wash load the hot air supply plenum 47 is formed between the outside wall 28 of the containment drum 11 and a wall 44 of the water plenum 46 hot air from the burner 22 rises through the hot air supply plenum 47 and enters the perforated clothes basket 40 at the top of the hot air supply plenum 47 through an opening 49 in the top of water supply plenum 46 the hot moisture laden drying air is then withdrawn through the bottom of the clothes basket 40 through exhaust plenum 48 the exhaust plenum 48 extends vertically from lower opening in water plenum 46 substantially diametrically opposite the end of the hot air supply plenum 47 fan 15 applies a negative pressure to the opposite end of the exhaust plenum 48 drawing moisture laden air from the perforated clothes basket 40 through the exhaust plenum 48 the temperature of the drying air is monitored by sensor 45 which is connected to the controller 12 and is disposed at the top of the hot air supply plenum the drying air temperature is regulated by controller 12 which cycles burner 22 in response to the measured air temperature so as not to exceed a predetermined programmed limit which will damage the wash load 7 since the initial conditions for drying including the moisture content of the load are fairly constant between loads controller 12 may enter a drying routine with a drying temperature profile at its maximum drying efficiency and below a level which will damage the wash load a feature.