Washing machine time delay - Fire risk?

ripplyuk

I’m tempted to use this because it would be very useful to have the wash finishing soon after I get up in the morning, so I can hang it out to dry. With the cycles taking 2-3hrs, I’m currently having to get up at the crack of dawn to get the laundry done. However, from what I’ve read online, it’s not recommended due to the fire risk. One article even said they couldn’t understand why this was included as a feature at all because it’s so dangerous. 

Does anyone else use it? How risky is it? Having been in a house fire previously I’m maybe being a bit paranoid. 

victor2

ripplyuk said:

I’m tempted to use this because it would be very useful to have the wash finishing soon after I get up in the morning, so I can hang it out to dry. With the cycles taking 2-3hrs, I’m currently having to get up at the crack of dawn to get the laundry done. However, from what I’ve read online, it’s not recommended due to the fire risk. One article even said they couldn’t understand why this was included as a feature at all because it’s so dangerous. 

Does anyone else use it? How risky is it? Having been in a house fire previously I’m maybe being a bit paranoid. 

There’s the usual risk with any appliance running unattended, but we all do it.
Presumably if you’ve experienced a house fire, you’ve got good detectors installed. If your washing machine is correctly connected and using its own time delay feature, then I’d see little to worry about.

MorningcoffeeIV

I use it regularly.

I'm not aware of my house having burned down as a result.

CSI_Yorkshire

Mathematically, it's a huge increase in risk.

Washing machines have almost zero chance of starting a fire when they are turned off.  They have a noticeably non-zero change of starting a fire when they are turned on.

Practically, however, the increase in risk is more about speed of detection, evacuation and firefighting.

Section62

ripplyuk said:

I’m tempted to use this because it would be very useful to have the wash finishing soon after I get up in the morning, so I can hang it out to dry. With the cycles taking 2-3hrs, I’m currently having to get up at the crack of dawn to get the laundry done. However, from what I’ve read online, it’s not recommended due to the fire risk. One article even said they couldn’t understand why this was included as a feature at all because it’s so dangerous. 

Does anyone else use it? How risky is it? Having been in a house fire previously I’m maybe being a bit paranoid. 

Personally I don't have a concern running washing machines/dishwashers overnight, although I'd avoid leaving them running if the house was unoccupied.

The greatest risk is from overheating of either the motor or heater, both of which should be protected in modern appliances.  When the appliance is switched on and in 'timer' mode then only the control circuits should be powered up, with relatively low risk of issues - the risk is broadly similar to other appliances such as microwaves and central heating systems that people don't seem to have an issue with leaving 'on' overnight.

I'd ask those who think a washing machine or dishwasher left on overnight is highly dangerous whether they have USB 13A sockets in the house, and what they do to isolate those from the mains supply when not in use. And whether they switch off their fridge/freezer(s) when they go to bed.

I wouldn't leave a tumble dryer running overnight though - these are different in the sense they can easily build up 'fluff' which is quite flammable and may come into contact with hot parts of the machine.

Be aware some fire services do warn against leaving these appliances on overnight.

Grenage

Washing machines are more of a water than a fire risk. We use the time delay on ours for the same reason.

Tumble dryers I don't leave unattended.

daveyjp

 2-3 hours for a washing cycle?  Does the machine not have a quicker option?  

subjecttocontract

Friends of ours had a washing machine fire. They turned it on and went shopping, it caught fire, a neighbour called the fire service. They arrived back home in time to see considerable damage to their house. It took them a year to get it rebuilt and sorted. We've stopped turning washing m/c, dishwasher or tumble drier on if we are going out.

katejo

subjecttocontract said:

Friends of ours had a washing machine fire. They turned it on and went shopping, it caught fire, a neighbour called the fire service. They arrived back home in time to see considerable damage to their house. It took them a year to get it rebuilt and sorted. We've stopped turning washing m/c, dishwasher or tumble drier on if we are going out.

I avoid leaving a washing machine or dishwasher on while out. I don't have a tumble dryer. I have wondered whether an insurer might refuse to pay out when a machine has been left unattended when operating. I don't set my oven to turn on when I am out for the same reason.

DullGreyGuy

katejo said:

subjecttocontract said:

Friends of ours had a washing machine fire. They turned it on and went shopping, it caught fire, a neighbour called the fire service. They arrived back home in time to see considerable damage to their house. It took them a year to get it rebuilt and sorted. We've stopped turning washing m/c, dishwasher or tumble drier on if we are going out.

I avoid leaving a washing machine or dishwasher on while out. I don't have a tumble dryer. I have wondered whether an insurer might refuse to pay out when a machine has been left unattended when operating. I don't set my oven to turn on when I am out for the same reason.

Not unless you had a known fault and decided to carry on using it anyway. 

CSI_Yorkshire

DullGreyGuy said:

katejo said:

subjecttocontract said:

Friends of ours had a washing machine fire. They turned it on and went shopping, it caught fire, a neighbour called the fire service. They arrived back home in time to see considerable damage to their house. It took them a year to get it rebuilt and sorted. We've stopped turning washing m/c, dishwasher or tumble drier on if we are going out.

I avoid leaving a washing machine or dishwasher on while out. I don't have a tumble dryer. I have wondered whether an insurer might refuse to pay out when a machine has been left unattended when operating. I don't set my oven to turn on when I am out for the same reason.

Not unless you had a known fault and decided to carry on using it anyway. 

"Compliance with manufacturer's instructions" is an interesting aspect though - most toasters (for example) have specific instructions to not leave unattended whilst operating, even to the point of a warning being embossed on the case.  Haven't checked a washing machine manual recently, there's not been the need on any of my cases.

Section62 said:

ripplyuk said:

I’m tempted to use this because it would be very useful to have the wash finishing soon after I get up in the morning, so I can hang it out to dry. With the cycles taking 2-3hrs, I’m currently having to get up at the crack of dawn to get the laundry done. However, from what I’ve read online, it’s not recommended due to the fire risk. One article even said they couldn’t understand why this was included as a feature at all because it’s so dangerous. 

Does anyone else use it? How risky is it? Having been in a house fire previously I’m maybe being a bit paranoid. 

The greatest risk is from overheating of either the motor or heater, 

Not in my experience, and not in the experience of the manufacturers judging by the reason for most of the recent recalls or repair notices.