I need a new tumble dryer - recommendations please!

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

I have a Hoover tumble dryer, and it is on it's last legs. The motor is going, and also the bearings are wearing out.

I've had a repair guy out and he said it isn't worth the cost of the repair and to replace it.

If money was no object I would buy a Miele, but I really would rather not spend that much!

What do you have that has lasted pretty well and does a good job? It needs to hold a big load - 8 or 9kg - because I have a big drum washing machine.

[BikeRunSki]

We have only had it 15 months (it was a present to ourselves when DD was born, so I know just how old it is!), but I gave no complaints about our John Lewis condenser dryer. Bit pricier than other condensers because it is A rated, but this makes it v cheap to run - haven't noticed any big impact on our electricity bill (we did not have a dryer before this one).

[Flisspaps]

I have a budget White Knight condenser dryer, 7kg drum.

[Phantomquartz]

I wanted a Miele and apparently Bosch are made by the same company so contain many of the same parts.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Fliss - the repair bloke recommended White Knight and offered to sell me one...

My reservations are that they don't do a large capacity drum, and also the energy rating which is only a C.

Phantom that is interesting to know!

Bike - we would definitely consider John Lewis, their warranty is v.good isn't it?

[FriedSprout]

Can second John Lewis. Had it for about 5 years now, and no problems yet, fingers and everything else crossed. It is a condenser drier, and adjusts length of time required as it dries.

[amothersplaceisinthewrong]

Miele. ANd Miele washing machine, hoover, dishwasher and fridge.

[BikeRunSki]

and it (the JL) has a big drum - 8 kg I think. Repair man who came to look at dishwasher said that JL stuff is usually rebranded AEG (standard range), sometimes Zannussi (cheaper range). We chose JL because DH's aunt has all JL white goods and she is fairly well off (so could afford Miele ), takes no nonsense and is very domestic houseproud.

[GlaikitFizzog]

John Lewis are branded Bosch I believe, according to my dad (take that how you will after the oven fiasco!)

I have a hotpoint drier I've had for 6 years and its still going strong but I have a beko washer, and they do a reasonably priced 9kg drier I'm eying up when the hotpoint pops it!

[GlaikitFizzog]

I would trust BikeRunSki! Not my dad!

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Thanks everyone!

Fizz - I am always a bit about Beko since all those fridges of theirs that caught fire!

Bike - that JL 8kg drum, A rated one does look good - and is actually the same price and more energy efficient than the equivalent Bosch once you take the warranty into account (I am looking on the JL website).

amother - we just don't have the money atm. The Miele is £1k I think! We have a fridge freezer by them and it is lovely - although bizarrely cheaper than the tumble dryer which seems the wrong way around.

[PigletJohn]

Bosch and Siemens are made by BSH, which is a jointly-owned company.

Miele is a separate company. I supppose they might use some common components. In most cases Miele are better, and mostly more expensive.

I think JL machines are made by various manufacturers.

I prefer a Vented to a Condensing drier, because they are simpler, with less to go wrong, and so less expensive for the same quality. If you pay £1,000 or so you can get a very fine Condensing Miele that will save you £15 a year on electricity, so paying for itself in only 66 years. I felt that was not an economic proposition.

Which recently tested tumble driers and I can look out a few best buys for you. What do you expect to spend, and are you looking for vented or condensor?

[GlaikitFizzog]

I had no idea about the fiery fridges! Should I google??

[FrantasticO]

I have a Bosch condenser and I love, love, love it.
It's been used frequentlyat least dailyfor two years and so far no probs.

[SwedishEdith]

Watching this as I want one as well. When clothes come out of a condenser one,do they feel as soft as when they come out of a vented one? I'd prefer a vented but would need to have hole drilled into an external wall.

[PigletJohn]

Pah!

You can get a Core Drill from a tool Hire Shop and in half a day can make holes for your tumbledrier, cooker hood and bathroom extractor.

It makes a neat round hole through the wall of the correct size for the duct and is far from difficult. They are powerful and rather heavy.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Piglet thank you for the offer- I've looked at the Which? Report and they recommend the Miele and White Knight but have no 8kg machines I don't think.

Fizz - yes!

I would prefer vented, but it isn't possible where we have the dryer.

[SwedishEdith]

Trouble is, I think I want to move the non-existent dryer to another wall. Also, if you have it vented to an outside wall, does the vented bit outside have to stick out a bit or can it be flush to the wall?

[PigletJohn]

it can be flush to the wall with just a grille to keep mice out but I strongly recommend a cowl vent which keeps rain and wind out and has a flap to prevent backdraught.

Avoid the ones like little plastic venetian blinds which rattle annoyingly in the wind until they break off (which does not take long)

You will need plastic duct or an offcut of soil pipe to line the wall to keep it dry (especially if it is a cavity wall)

You can run duct under, behind, inside or on top of, wall or floor cabinets.

[RedRosie]

My DM - a respectable if batty elderly lady - says she would walk PAST my poor, elderly, somewhat mobility-challenged DF to save her JL condenser dryer in the event of a fire/flood/zombie apocalypse.

She thinks this is perfectly natural.

:)

[PigletJohn]

Ali

I bought the cheapest best buy, the vented Bosch WTV74105GB, which has 7kg capacity. Seems enough.

They did also test some 8kg machines. Seven of them were best buys.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Oh did they? I must have another look then.

I agree there is nothing wrong with a 7kg machine, but my washing machine does 9kg loads and I don't want to have to under-loading that, or splitting off some wet stuff to hang on the airer instead of just bunging it in the dryer. Life is too short

[DewDr0p]

My AEG tumble dryer was repaired recently after 8 years of faithful service. It was quite expensive to repair though and the repair man recommended Bosch for reliability and ease of repair. Expecting the AEG to go on for some time to come though!

I would get one with a sensor if you don't already.

[Shattereddreams]

I have a little Zanussi. It's 10 years old, a condenser. It is about to be repaired for the 2nd time.
1st time the heater blew a fuse and cost £70.
This time I need a new tap into the condenser water drum. Cost £50

My point being, it is a ten year old model and they still make it and spare parts for it.

[PigletJohn]

you might find that you do a mixed wash (say, some cottons and some synthetics) which have a different drying program, so not the whole load goes in together.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Piglet - indeed not, washing is somewhat precise in this house

Dewdrop - our current one has a sensor and I definitely want one on the next one.

Shattered - see that is really tempting, but I do find myself wondering if they makes things in the same way these days.
My Mum has had her dryer for 15 years, it is a vented one rather than a condenser admittedly, but I do wonder whether they make things to last that long anymore.