A Kenmore gas dryer typically has two thermostats : a cycling thermostat and a high-limit thermostat. Some setups also include a thermal cutoff/fuse , but that is usually treated as a safety device rather than a thermostat.

Quick Scoop

Forum discussion and repair references for Kenmore gas dryers consistently point to two main thermostat parts on many models: one that cycles the heat during normal operation and one that acts as a high-limit safety.

What they do

  • Cycling thermostat : turns the burner on and off to hold the drying temperature in a normal range.
  • High-limit thermostat : shuts heat down if temperatures get too high.
  • Thermal cutoff/fuse : a one-time safety part that opens if overheating becomes severe.

Why this matters

If a Kenmore gas dryer is running too hot, the cycling thermostat is often the first part people check or replace, based on repair forum guidance.

That said, overheating can also come from blocked airflow or a failing heating system, so the thermostat count alone does not identify the fault.

Bottom note

So the short answer is: usually 2 thermostats on a Kenmore gas dryer, with an additional safety cutoff part on some models.