Tumble dryers- i know, i know!!! but tell me about condenser dryers please

[wontbepreggersagain]

i have just bought a condenser dryer- it will be delivered this afternoon but i have some questions:

a) are they as efficient as vented dryers (its bound to be more efficient than the stoooopid 'sensor dryer' that i'm getting rid of which has never dried a load of clothes completely in the 18 months i've had it )

b) how often do you need to empty the water jobby thingy

c) do you get any condensation in the area when they are on or does it all go into the tanky bit.

d) are they noisier than regular vented dryers?

many thanks- all comments gratefully recieved- tbh i'll be happy to have non-musty clothes after the fiasco that was the 'set and forget' hotpoint uber expensive kitchen ornament

[TattyCatty]

I've only ever had a condensor dryer, so can't answer all your questions, but can say that b) - you need to empty it after every load, perhaps twice if you're doing a load of something absorbent like towels, and c) - no condensation at all. HTH!

[Twixabix]

We have previously had a condensor dryer. We found that we did still get condensation in the kitchen, although our kitchen was very cold. Like tattycatty says, probably best to empty the tank after every drying. Also check the fluff filter after every drying too.

[jojostar]

I've got one recently as a present to my self (what happened to high heeled shoes!!) and I think
a)Its better dries quicker although I still open and check as it going rd
b)I do it every couple of times depending on how many other thing I'm doing at the same time
c) Not had any condensation this far
d) ALOT quieter

Good luck....

[JudgeNutmeg]

My last condenser was very noisy but it lasted 12 years which isn't bad going. It had a huge capacity for washing and needed it's water tank emptying every second or third load. I think that generally they are very reliable if you keep emptying the water and fluff holders.

My new one is fab. It takes the largest load too and is as quiet as a mouse. I love it! I'm emptying the water after every load as it just seems to be extracting it more efficiently. I haven't noticed any condensation with either machine.

[Flower3554]

We've got an Indesit one and its so noisy it's driving me mad.

What make is yours jojo?

Agree with emptying the water thing every load and the fluff filter as well.

As noisy as ours is I've never had a problem with condensation.

[lou33]

i have a large LG one, its pretty quiet, no condensation

emptying the water container depends on what you are drying and for how long, but i automatically clean the filter and empty the water each time i use it

[TattyCatty]

Ours is an Indesit and it is noisy - just don't know if it's noisier than a standard one - I suspect yes after Flower's comment! Would also second cleaning the fluff filter after every load - apparently it's a fire risk if you don't.

[ellideb]

I've got a condenser dryer and I have had vented dryers too, here's what I found:

1. Condensers are great if you don't want to drill a hole in your wall for a vent or you don't have a window nearby to hang a tube out of.

1. Condensers are noisy (well mine is)but not through the whole cycle.

1. You don't need to empty them after each load, I can do several loads of towels before mine needs emptying.

1. They are just as efficient as a vented dryer.

1. You can get ones that you plumb in so you never have to empty them.

1. I do still get condenstaion with mine, especially if it's on a high temp, but not as much as a vented one.

1. You can recycle the colleted water and use to water your plants or put it into your iron as it is slightly scented.

[mrsmike]

This is worrying me a bit - I have a condenser dryer - well it's the washing machine and there's a setting saying Drying Programme, which I hardly ever use, but have never emptied anything of water - whereabouts is the water emptying thingy?

[Dropdeadfred]

Mrs Mike - yours will be plumbed in

[mrsmike]

Oh relief thanks
Was wondering if that's why it takes so long to dry stuff, but maybe is just naturally rubbish ...

[LilRedWG]

We've had our Zanussi one for eleven years - it is wonderful. It is in the garage now so not sure on condensation but when it was in the kitchen I never noticed any.

Dries well and isn't particularly noisy (except when I put my JML drier balls in).

As it is so old, I waiting for it to die, along with its equally ancient washing machine friend - probably on the same day.

[LilRedWG]

MrsMike - My mum had a combined washer/drier and tbh it was pants at drying too.

[Helsbels4]

We changed to a condenser one a few months ago and its really noisy. We have to shut the door to the kitchen if we want to watch the tv! I only empty the water thing when the red light comes on and the fluff filter when I think about it! Haven't noticed any condensation and as I said, the only problem so far is the noise.

[hifi]

i empty mine about every 3 dries, towels take more.no condensation at all, mines in a tiny cloakroom and no probs. very quiet. make sure you clean the filter underneath as this will slow down the drying process. my sister did mine after i had had it 6 months and was wondering why it wasnt drying aswell.
i dont use conditioner in my wash, have used the water collected on plants and they havent died yet, i also tasted it, twas fine.

[nervousal]

We have a washer/dryer which was in house when we moved in - its rubbish at drying so we never use the drying programme. Our condenser dryer is in the garage - pretty quiet, no condensation, empty the water thing avery other load etc.

One question though - how do you clean the condenser unit itself? ours is getting plugged up with fluff?

[nellyup]

I have ancient condenser drier that used to be my mum's. Need emptying after every load but I only use it for towels/ bedding/ nappies and pants & socks which are all quite 'wet' loads.

Dries really well, never seen any condensation but my goodness it's noisy (is in garage so we don't care but neighbours probably do!)

[Flower3554]

ok so which is the quietest dryer???

I can't wait to get rid of mine because of the noise.

We have to close the kitchen door if the tv is on as well and forget phone calls! can't hear a thing. I also have to turn it off if I'm working in the kitchen as the noise is really unbearable!

The only plus it has is that the water container is at the top so no bending to pull it out to empty.

[MuffinMclay]

I have a JL. It lives in the garage, but it isn't too noisy.

Takes 55 mins to dry one load of washing.

Water thingy has to be emptied after every 2 goes.

We don't get any condensation at all from it.

[scaryteacher]

We have a condenser dryer and dh has plumbed it so the water goes into a bucket which gets emptied when it's full...good for the plants. It's a Whirlpool, and dh has had it for 4 years now and it's still OK.

[mogs0]

Nervousal - To clean the condenser I use the end of a painpbrush or a knife or anything thin to pick the fluff out of the gaps! I don't do it very often but certainly notice a difference when I have done it. Just cleaned it on the weekend and there was so much soggy fluff it took me ages!!

[themoon66]

you can clean the condenser thing out by removing it, taking it into the garden and blasting it through with the hose pipe. Takes seconds.

[Martin110406]

Hi all
I’ve just bought a condenser dryer but I’ve only ever had a vented, I know I have to empty the water thing, but do I have to add any water to it first ????

[TheJobNeverEnded]

No you don't. HTH.

[ukzmisr]

Hi, I would appreciate some opinions please.
Just wondering if it was OK to put a Condensing Dryer in a garage attached to the house.
My mains water pipe , bolier, consumer unit and gas line are all in there. Having read the internet, some say, one cannot put a heat pump condensing dryer in the garage if it goes below 5degreesC.
But want about a normal condensing dryer?
Thanks