The search for a Tumble Drier Begins

JohnB47

OK, just back from a holiday in a self catering cottage and the missus has fallen for the charms of a Tumble Drier. (They had a Miele venting type and it dried spun clothes in about 30 - 40 mins - can't remember exactly- on a simple 'warm air' setting). I've always been against the idea on the basis of cost of running but daughter had been using a venting one for over a year now and doesn't feel they cost a lot to run at all.


Now I suppose that this has been done to death on this forum and I'll certainly be doing a search for previous threads. I'll also be consulting the Which guide.


But for now, has anyone any advice, or good sources for advice? I'm tempted to go for a venting type, mainly 'cos the condenser ones need to be emptied and the heat pump ones are both pricey and complicated (hence likely to go wrong more often).


I have two questions to start. For example, what sort of programs are most useful to have - this is something I've realised I hadn't thought enough about when purchasing my Washing Machine - eg I'd really like to be able to set the spin speed independently of the various programs, but can't.


Also, I've read that condenser types use cold water to condense with. Where does it get that - does it need plumbed in, or does it need to be added manually to a tank? Or maybe that was just one type of condenser and a sort of refrigerator unit is more common?


Thanks.

Ebe_Scrooge

Personally I'd go for a vented type every time. Cheaper to buy, and as you alluded to, far less gubbins to go wrong - a standard vented machine is a very simple piece of kit. Also, in my experience, they dry a lot more effectively than condesing ones - though maybe I've only ever tried rubbish condensing ones in holiday cottages etc !


The downside of a vented machine is the need to vent it. Sure, you can poke the hose out of an open window, but really you want it fitted in properly. Not a difficult job if you have any experience of DIY, but it does mean a few hour's work, and you need access to an external wall. But in my book it's well worth the effort. I've had my current machine for about 15 years and it's never missed a beat. And it's only a Hotpoint, not one of the "superior" ( and very expensive ! ) Miele models


I'm not sure about "programs" - mine just has a setting for high or low heat and a simple timer dial. After a few uses you'll quickly get used to how long it needs to be on for. In practise, I tend to put in on for "just enough time" ( judging this from 15 years of use !! ), have a check and if the clothes are still a bit damp, give it another 15 minutes or so.


And they don't cost a fortune to run like some people think. Especially if the washing machine has a decent spin speed and the clothes are not sopping wet when they come out. Sure, my washing gets hung outside on the line whenever possible, but during the winter, for instance, I have no qualms about using the tumble dryer.


These are just my views, I don't claim to be an expert, but hopefully it'll give you food for thought.

JohnB47

Thanks for that.


Yes, you mention a 'timed' function and the Bosch that I mentioned does have that but it seems that it's in 20 min bursts - not very flexible. The other settings are based on sensor readings (cupboard dry, iron dry etc). Maybe they are good, I don't know.


Thanks again.

saverbuyer

You can get a Miele heat pump drier with 5 year guarantee for £680.


That's a good deal. I have one (not the same model) and it's a great job. In saying that, I also have a gas tumble drier, left by the old owner, and I use this more often. I'm told it's the cheapest type of drier to run.

Ebe_Scrooge

The sensors you mention - I'm aware of them but I've never used them so I can't comment on how well they work. If they work as claimed then they could well be a very useful addition.


Mine is a bit similar to this : http://www.johnlewis.com/hotpoint-fetv60cp-vented-tumble-dryer-6kg-load-c-energy-rating-white/p2135715


Like I say, just a timer dial and a high/low heat setting. I guess I'm something of a dinosaur, but for something like a tumble dryer, the simpler the better for me :-)

missile

We bought a Siemens tumble dryer from John Lewis.
It has a variety of options to suit the load. It is quiet and more economical than many dryers.
We chose the £8 install fee. Great value, as our dryer is situated in a difficult to access location.

EssexExile

Another dinosaur here, my simple 1991 Hotpoint is still working as well as ever. It has two heat settings, never used the lower one, & a timer. That's all you need.

[Deleted User]

EssexExile wrote: »

Another dinosaur here, my simple 1991 Hotpoint is still working as well as ever. It has two heat settings, never used the lower one, & a timer. That's all you need.

My 2006 Hotpoint Condensing dryer is still going. It's had a couple of repairs in its life but it's simple and does it jobs. Emptying the water container isn't a hardship.

However - if you don't clean the filter, it gets bunged up and breaks. We learnt that the hard way

glasgowdan

I'm more than happy with our Beko DSC85W condensing dryer. It's not much hassle to keep cleaned at all, no water supply needed! It dries clothes perfectly, is fairly quiet, cheap to run. Not much to say really. You can shove it in a cupboard or anywhere handy. And it doesn't half warm up the room when it's on!

keith969

I bought a Bosch WTW863S1GB a couple of years ago. Was £650 from John Lewis, has worked like a dream since. Its an A++ condenser type, doesn't need a vent, and the warm air from it helps heat the room instead of going to waste like a vented one.

You have to empty the container every dry or at least every other one, but it just pulls out, I use the water in the greenhouse for plants...

Only wish I'd bought one years ago, when my son was still at home and had masses of clothes that always needed washing and drying!

JohnB47

Thanks again for the replies everyone.

I've just had a look at where we were hoping to put the drier - in a small room at the front of the house. I've realised that our front porch is wider than this room and the top of the porch sloping roof actually meets the outside wall higher than we would be knocking through to put a vent in for a vented type.The knock through might even be into the porch and although the porch is not enclosed (just two short walls at the front, closed in on either side), that doesn't seem a good idea to me.

There is already a vent in that room - up high near the ceiling, put there when the house was built. I have it covered over at present. Would it be possible to take the flexible hose from the drier up and out that vent? Surely condensation draining down and lying in the horizontal bit of pipe would be a problem?

If we can't find an answer to that problem, a condenser or pump jobbie may be the answer.