Tumble Dryer options

oniongirl

We became accustomed to our tumble dryer in our previous property, which was a cheap but effective vented Zanussi. 

We've just moved house, and the space for the dryer is in the utility, and it won't be possible to run a vent to the nearest external wall.

We can't afford most heat pump models, no matter how economical they are to run, and they just take too long to dry a load with the amount of washing we get through.

I've signed up to Which for a month to go through the various condenser tumble dryer options, and it seems like they're all rubbish. Uneven drying, poor condensers that leak moisture, sensors not working well to dry the whole load....

I've never had a condenser before, and the utility room has no ventilation so I'm nervous about getting a rubbish machine that'll make the room damp. Or not dry the clothes properly.

So far our shortlist has only the Bosch Serie 4 WTN85251GB, or the John Lewis JLTDC08. The latter has only a couple of reviews on the JL website, 7 good to 4 bad. The Bosch has nearly 200 on ao.com, averaging out at 4.8 stars.

Any other contenders that people would like to personally recommend?

Our budget is probably no more than £450.

grumbler

See this recent thread -  Re: Tumble dryer - heat pump - your experiences

GaleSF63

I agree with the Which reports. I've had Zanussi vented dryers since the 1980s and been very happy with them. Until 2 years ago I bought a Zanussi Lindo condenser dryer. Not recommended.  It makes its own mind up about when it is finished and  if I  mix fabrics some things aren't dry. Programming it is messy and unnecessarily complicated - too many options and I've never mastered it. I eventually lighted on one setting which I'm happy with and  stick to. 

Why does everything have to be so complicated? The last one I just turned the timer dial to start it.

With my last  one, it wasn't practical to put the "trunk" out of the window, so I had  a vent condenser kit. It seemed to do the job - never had any damp problems at all (though your utility room will be unheated I assume). Would that be practical for you?
SPARES2GO Universal Vent Hose Condenser Kit with 3 x Adapters for Tumble Dryer (1.2m): Amazon.co.uk: Large Appliances

koalakoala

I've had condenser dryers for years and love them. Now after moving house I couldn't get one in the colour I wanted so I've had to resort to a heat pump. Not sure yet how it will go but it is what it is !

daveyjp

We've had Bosch and AEG (John Lewis are rebranded AEGs) condensers, both lasted over 10 years and no problems during that time.

Far better than the heat pump model we now have,

Penguin_

I got a condenser drier & love it. It stops when the water container is full so never overflows & I don't find it any worse in terms of drying time to the old vented one I had. 

oniongirl

GaleSF63 said:

Why does everything have to be so complicated? The last one I just turned the timer dial to start it.

Oooh, I liked the senors on our vented zanussi. Set and forget til it sings at you.

GaleSF63 said:

With my last  one, it wasn't practical to put the "trunk" out of the window, so I had  a vent condenser kit. It seemed to do the job - never had any damp problems at all (though your utility room will be unheated I assume). Would that be practical for you?
SPARES2GO Universal Vent Hose Condenser Kit with 3 x Adapters for Tumble Dryer (1.2m): Amazon.co.uk: Large Appliances

I've never heard of those, interesting. No windows, unheated, no running water or drainage and no space for something extra like this, unfortunately. It's a third of a converted garage, and it's a squeeze in there!

Penguin_ said:
I got a condenser drier & love it. It stops when the water container is full so never overflows & I don't find it any worse in terms of drying time to the old vented one I had. 

Oooh, which one do you have?

cajef

We had to replace our Bosch condenser dryer last year, it had manage to run problem free used regularly for over twenty five years, replaced it with a new Bosch condenser from John Lewis which appears quieter and dries well once the few simple settings were adjusted for our use.

Penguin_

oniongirl said:

GaleSF63 said:

Why does everything have to be so complicated? The last one I just turned the timer dial to start it.

Oooh, I liked the senors on our vented zanussi. Set and forget til it sings at you.

GaleSF63 said:

With my last  one, it wasn't practical to put the "trunk" out of the window, so I had  a vent condenser kit. It seemed to do the job - never had any damp problems at all (though your utility room will be unheated I assume). Would that be practical for you?
SPARES2GO Universal Vent Hose Condenser Kit with 3 x Adapters for Tumble Dryer (1.2m): Amazon.co.uk: Large Appliances

I've never heard of those, interesting. No windows, unheated, no running water or drainage and no space for something extra like this, unfortunately. It's a third of a converted garage, and it's a squeeze in there!

Penguin_ said:
I got a condenser drier & love it. It stops when the water container is full so never overflows & I don't find it any worse in terms of drying time to the old vented one I had. 

Oooh, which one do you have?

I got the Candy CSC8DF_WH Condenser Tumble Dryer in White

Alanp

We just scrapped our hot point condenser because the door switch fault showed on the display, it was one of those replacement dryers after the indesit fire incidents, that was on its last legs anyway so we accepted the offer of a replacement for £99 ( yes I know some got there’s replaced free) , anyway, despite me stripping it down to remove the door switch to see if I could get a part number, it was all in vain, as nothing matched anywhere, even the hotpoint site, which led me to believe that they were made especially for the exchange program, anyhoo, we bought a Bosch condenser which sits in our garage, and , although it’s early days, it seems ok, btw, heat pump condenser dryers won’t work if the ambient temperature is low, so not suitable for a garage, ( unless it’s heated of course) 

Apjs87

I've had a Beko condenser dryer for about 5 years. It's been very reliable for the money I paid, about £200 from memory and the only thing wrong with it is a sticky button. Would definitely buy a condensing dryer again.