Please recommend a tumble dryer

mr_parsnip_features

Hi all,

Looking for a recommendation for a tumble dryer.

I know tumble dryers aren't very money saving but we've go a baby on the way and have been told that they are invaluable.

Looking for the most MS dryer out there.

Cheers,

Mr Parsnip

macman

More info needed...
Condensing or vented?
Gas or electric?
Budget?

mr_parsnip_features

I've heard bad things about condensing dryers - so I think we will go for the vented version. It shouldn't be too much of a problem preparing an external vent. I've also seen the boxes which are available to essentially turn a vented dryer into a condensing one (the the vent pipe fits in).

Would be going for electric (wasn't even aware that you can get gas ones!).

Budget = as cheap as possible but ideally less than £180.

Capacity = 7kg or above.

Many thanks,

Mrs.T20

I recommend the Argos White Knight tumble dryer.
I have had mine for 3 years and have had no problems.
Previous models have been hoover and hotpoint that have lasted between 1-2 years. I have had vented and condenser dryers. The Argos one was the cheapest and is the best!

WestonDave

The original condensing ones were very expensive to run but the more recent ones are a lot better and pretty comparable in energy terms with the vented ones. That's before you factor in the fact that a vented dryer heats up hot air and shoves it outside, whereas most of the heat from a condensing dryer remains in the house where it can offset the cost of central heating etc.

That said for £180 you don't have a lot of choice. You can get a Beko C rated 7kg vented sensor dryer for £175 at Boots Appliances (not shopped around just picked a DRL site at random!) - they seem to get good Which reports, although I'm personally dubious. Hotpoint would get in for something similar but without the sensor for £172 - both plus £20 for delivery. If you wanted all in for under £180 then you could get a smaller 6kg Beko all in for that. Cheapest condensor would probably be a 6kg Beko at £182 plus delivery.

To be fair from experience with young kids, you tend to end up with a lot of their washing more frequently so the larger load isn't necessarily that essential.

mr_parsnip_features

Thanks guys.

What is the sensor for (sensing whether the load is dry instead of going on time?)

What are you experiences of drying times with condensing vs. vented.

It's going in the garage - so in some ways it's not too much of an issue if heat is being vented outside as we're hardly in the garage (although it is freezing in there in winter).

Are the white knight dryer Argos own? We saw a couple in currys. They appear to be the cheapest available, along with beko. A bit reluctant to go with the beko make based on things I've read.

How heavy are they? I wonder if they'd take it out to my car. I've got an estate and the place where I'm going to put the dryer is not far from where I can pull my car upto - so I might be able to save on delivery if they will.

mr_parsnip_features

What are the chances of picking one up second hand?

traineepensioner

We've recently purchased a Zanussi (ZDE47200W) Vented tumble dryer and, so far, we are very pleased with it.

It's near your budget at £179 with free delivery (Currys) http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/zanussi-zde47200w-vented-tumble-dryer-white-10078493-pdt.html?srcid=198&cmpid=ppc~gg~UFC-Tumble_dryer~10078493~LT&mc!!!!!gg_goog_7904_&gclid=CKKv_8DM4a4CFUEOfAodCCCeaA )

The sensor drying setting is useful as the machine stops when your clothes are dry instead of cooking them like our old dryer used to...it's rated as "C" which is reasonably efficient.

Mrs.T20

I thought that White Knight was an Argos brand but could be wrong- I definitely bought it from there. The model we have is very basic and uncomplicated but we have had no problems and it does the job!

markdavey

White Knight direct I have had 2 of these (only got rid of the first to get an integrated one for new kitchen).

Lots of choices for your budget.

Absinthe_2

I had an Indesit self-condensing tumble dryer, that was cheap to buy, not to costly to run, and lasted 10 years approx. I've currently got an awful Hotpoint washer/dryer, that constantly needs engineer visits. Usually the pump, or dryer. So spend approx £14 a month on insurance. Will def be buying separate machines when poss.

I've also got a JML Dri Buddi, which is economical on clothes drying, although not so effective if stacked to the gills with heavy wet towels, works brilliantly on a normal wash. I use mainly to dry a lot of Organic (unshrunk) cotton clothing, plus delicate fabrics, knitwear, etc. Works beautifully, and often eliminates the need for ironing.

http://www.jmldirect.com/uk/laundry/dri-buddi/invt/d04db10100000001/