Condensing Tumble Drier: Recommendations?

albalad

this has been copied from the "which" tumble driers report -

If you go for a condenser, it’s vital to pick the right one. Some of them do a pretty dismal job of capturing the moisture – which means that they let damp air into the room. Over time, the damp can end up causing mildew on your walls.

Most condenser machines retrieve between 83 and 93 per cent of the water from the air. But, in our tests, the Hoover HDC6 and White Knight CL 767 salvaged just over half of the water from their loads, and the Creda T622CW and LG TD-C70040EN let enough water escape to fill two wine bottles. If you bought one of these machines you’d probably have to install it near a window to avoid condensation in your kitchen or utility room.

Condenser models

There is nothing to choose between the drying ability of our Best Buy condenser tumble driers. Their speed, efficiency, noise and convenience ratings are exactly the same.

The highest-scoring drier comes from the most reliable brand in our test, Miele. Our massive annual survey shows that Miele’s tumble driers rarely get a visit from the repairman. The Miele T4652C also has the most effective condenser in the test, so you won’t find yourself mopping down the walls when you’ve used it. At £799 from Sainsbury’s Kitchen Appliances, it’s pretty expensive, but it is the most technologically advanced drier we’ve tested. The digital display panel lets you select a slew of unusual programs for drying outerwear, multi-layered fabrics and demin. And you can tweak most of the features – you can delay the start time, choose an extra-loud buzzer, or lock the program settings so children can’t mess with them. It has only a 5kg maximum load, smaller than the other Best Buys. But the only other drawback is that the heat exchanger is locked behind a hatch and a sealed compartment. Happily, though, you’ll need to clean it only about five times a year.

At just £379 from Sainsbury’s Kitchen Appliances, the Bosch WTL6307 Exxcel is just half the price of the Miele. And its 6kg capacity means you can pack in about four more shirts. It also has a short program for items that need to be dried quickly, such as synthetic sportswear. The heat exchanger is tucked behind a panel that’s opened by pressing a button hidden behind the door – a nice feature, which is easy to use once you’ve found it.

Bosch and Siemens are part of the same company, which explains why the Bosch WTL6307 and Siemens WTXL733 are technically the same driers. The control panels have been jiggled about a bit to look different. And the Siemens also has a pollen filter that stops the drier sucking airborne pollen into the drum, where it could stick to your clothes. It’s £399.00 from Sainsbury’s Kitchen Appliances.

The AEG T 57760 is £600 from Comet. Unlike most other models, it doesn’t suffer from any particular weak spots. For example, it won’t leave your clothes too badly creased after drying. You can choose a quick program if you’re in a hurry or set drying to start up to 19 hours later. We particularly like its lint filter, which pops out at the press of a button to make cleaning it easier.

If you don’t feel like splashing out so much money, try the Zanussi-Electrolux TC 7102W, £215 from Sainsbury’s Kitchen Appliances. It takes about 30 minutes longer than the AEG to dry loads, so it’s not a Best Buy, but it outshines similarly priced models. It’s easy to use, releases little damp air, and dries evenly – and it’s one of the quietest driers on test. It isn’t a sensor model, but at this price you wouldn’t expect that on a condenser tumble drier.

We have had a hotpoint tdc30 £229 from john lewis 3yr guarantee(which was a which best buy at the time)for over two years without any problems, we have built it up to waist height .........to avoid constantly bending down to both empty the water drawer at the bottom and for loading/unloading heavy loads

digital

...and now my aunt wants a vented tumble dryer!

Any recommendations on this?

Anyone know what the Which? best buy is/was?

TIA.

donnie_darko_3

I have had two zanussi condensor driers over the last few years and never had any trouble with condensation and our two moggys love the heat it gives off. We have double glazed windows in the utility and they have never steamed up even on the coldest of days/nights. We have econ 7 so tumble on timer so when the heating goes off tumble dryer comes on and happy moggys, dry clothes. No problem

lisssa

Hi

I have a Creda Condensor Dryer, have had it for about 18mths now , works well BUT the thermostat has gone on it twice, both times I have managed to get it repaired under the warrenty ( even though the second time it was past the 12 months, but I tried my luck and got away with it ).

I know that was a bit cheeky, but as it was the same problem I wasnt happy, was told on both occasions by the engineer that this is a common problem with the Creda Condensor Dryer, and its important not to open the door until the dryer has finished its cycle and cooled down ( bit impractical that!!).

Its working ok at the moment and long may it continue, oh it does occasionally 'steam up' my utility room, but I'd rather have that than have to have a tumble dryer in my garage - soooo Lazy LOL ::)

albalad

...and now my aunt wants a vented tumble dryer!
Any recommendations on this?
Anyone know what the Which? best buy is/was?
TIA.

again copied from the which website -

There are a few different things to consider before you buy a tumble drier.

First you need to make two simple decisions. One, whether you want your tumble drier to turn the damp air into water or expel it from the room. Two, whether you want to set the drying time yourself or leave the machine to work it out.

Vented or condenser
Vented models

These take the damp air produced by drying clothes and expel it from the room – usually through a flexible exhaust hose which is hung out of an open window or connected to a permanent vent through a wall.


Pros
• They’re cheaper than condenser models. Basic vented models start at around £120.
• They generally use less energy than condenser models. On average, vented models use about a fifth less energy than condenser models to dry a full load of cottons.
Cons
• You’ll need to install the drier near a window or outside wall, which can be inconvenient.
• If the exhaust tube isn’t kept short and straight, fluff can collect and present a fire risk.
• Knocking through a wall to install a permanent vent is a pain, but the only alternative is a loose hose dangling out of the window.

Vented models

The highest-scoring vented model on test is the Miele T4123, which you can buy for £499 from Sainsbury’s Kitchen Appliances. It’ll finish off a full load of cottons in just an hour and 15 minutes, which is quicker than any other drier we’ve tested. The display panel is simpler than the one on the condenser drier, but there are still lots of drying options.

The AEG T 37320, £450 from Comet, is particularly quiet. Like its sister model, the AEG T 57760, it’s a quick, easy-to-use sensor model. It has a wide range of programs and its lint filter is easy to clean. In terms of drying and convenience, it’s roughly on a par with the T 57760 – albeit quieter and more energy efficient. Unlike the other Best Buy vented driers, though, it doesn’t tell you when the washing is cupboard dry or ready for ironing.

The cheaper Bosch WTA4107 is slightly less easy to use than the other two because its door opening is a bit smaller, and the lint filter is harder to clean. But it dries swiftly and is otherwise well designed. It’s £249 from Sainsbury’s Kitchen Appliances

hope this has been of help

quoia

For anyone not reading / following the other thread - here is my recommendation if you are considering getting a tumble dryer (drier?) on any sort.

Get a GAS one !!!

We've had 2.
Both White Knight.

Only replaced the 1st one with the "mark 2" version of the same model really.
Nothing wrong with the first one, just came across the other one at a bargain price and thought "it must be better".

It was "high speed" (1 hour timer instead of 2) and was "reversing" as well. Other than that they were identical.

Sold the original for more than we had paid for it 3 years earlier!!!


With GAS it costs about 5p to dry an entire load - probably 6p with the increased gas prices.

Same load in an electric was about 40 pence when we first got it, must be 50 pence or more now.

GAS tumble driers are more expensive to buy than the cheaper/cheapest electric ones, but pay for themselves in about 2 years of using them with "average usage"

Can't fault White Knight - no faults of any description in all the time we've had them.

ultrak3wl

How big a hole do you have to knock in the wall for the non-condensing ones? Are we talking a small pipe or is it one of these elephant trunk things.

aliasojo

Elephant trunk thing I'm afraid. :-/

My drier is vented directly outside. Hole drilled in wall the same width as venting hose. Length of plastic pipe used to 'line' hole in wall. My outside wall is approximately 10 inches thick and is a 'sandwich type with hollow centre where insulation is, so plastic pipe sleeve makes for a neater job. Easily available and cheap.

You can hire a large enough drill if you don't have one suitable.

Vent hose sits in plastic pipe sleeve through to outside wall. Vent cover screwed to outside wall tidies hole up.

Much, much better than venting out a window, or using a condensing model, IMO, although not everyone will have a suitable wall to vent through.

ashley0611

Do most of the condenser dryers need to be plumbed in or is it simply a drawer to empty therefore only a socket is required?

donnie_darko_3

condensing tumble driers do not require plumbing just plug in and go, There is a container to empty every 4/5 washes depending whether you are drying towels,tee shirts or just smalls.