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Original poster

What dryer do you have In your garage?

43 replies

Buttons294749 · 05/10/2021 15:36

We have an integrated but poorly sealed garage (I.e. it gets cold).
LL has installed a washer/dryer in there which I hate so want to buy a dryer. This will be my first ever dryer as I previously dried on my lovely South facing, covered balcony. But in this house north facing, shaded garden means things didn't really dry even on Sunny days. Landlord has asked not to dry washing indoors on airers because of mold.

I can't get a vented dryer as no window in the garage. I really wanted a heat pump one but apparently they need to keep it somewhere 10 degrees C plus, and a condenser one needs 3 degrees plus too!

We will move in the next couple of years so don't want to spend too much as I know removal men can be heavy handed!
What have you got in your drafty garages??

Thanks x

OP posts:
Gladioli23 · 05/10/2021 15:40

I have a vented drier in a shed - so definitely no window. We just drilled a massive circular hole in the wall (obviously easier with a shed!) and put a cheap vented one in. It's been putting up happily with the temperature variations for 5 years so far.

Given the price difference between vented and condensing/heat pump tumble driers, even getting a handyman in to put a hole into the wall might be cheaper?

Gladioli23 · 05/10/2021 15:41

Just clocked it's a rental property, sorry. I guess you could ask your landlord to get a vent fitted if they don't want you drying washing inside?

Bamaluz · 05/10/2021 15:47

I've got a condenser, I didn't know it needs to be over 3 degrees to have one, I've never had a problem with it.
You could insulate the garage and add a small plug in radiator in the coldest weather if you're worried about it.

Sgtmajormummy · 05/10/2021 15:51

I have a Zanussi condenser tumble dryer. The water collects in a drawer and you just pour it out after every load. 5 years old and only used occasionally. Our garage has a metal vented main door so pretty open.
link
It has a temperature limit below which it shouldn’t be used (about 5degrees C?) but even if it snows a draughty garage wouldn’t go so low. I keep a thermometer in there just in case.

I also had to tinker with the settings (“press these buttons in this sequence”) to get the clothes bone dry rather than still damp. I think it was an eco setting that everybody overrides.
I’m sure other brands have similar models, so I don’t particularly recommend it. Energy consumption didn’t increase noticeably but I only use it maybe 20 times a year.

EvilPea · 05/10/2021 15:57

I’ve got a heat pump in the shed.
It’s slow (I’m guessing partly due to being outside)
But works well and has saved a fortune on electric.

Carandi · 05/10/2021 16:05

I've just bought a heat pump dryer and put it in the garage of my rented property. We too were told about the temperatures but there's a radiator in the garage and we've put it next to that, so if it gets chilly we'll make sure the radiator is on slightly. Hopefully it will be ok.

Original poster
Buttons294749 · 05/10/2021 16:06

Thanks for the replies. I think getting a vent put in will be tricky as it's a newish estate and nobody else has any modifications to the front of their house (I.e. they still look the same) but worth asking.

Will look at condensed ones, was so wanting a heat pump one one but scared to risk it. We have the boiler in the garage too so assume with that coming on it shouldn't hit 0 But with the boiler off it's pretty much the outside temp in there. Am planning to get some insulation for the gaping door at least!

OP posts:
TheNoodlesIncident · 05/10/2021 16:14

A condenser tumble drier should fill the bill? I had a White Knight one in my brick built shed for years.

A condenser tumble drier can go anywhere there's a power point, you just empty the water tank out every load.

A garage will be fine, draughty or otherwise. My White Knight (very cheap basic one) was fine, despite the vented windows to the shed.

We've since moved house and have a different one, it's in the dining room as there's no utility room or space in the kitchen. It keeps the room warm when it's on.

Original poster
Buttons294749 · 05/10/2021 16:19

Ooh now I'm thinking do I get and squeeze one under the stairs? we have a town house and the bottom level does t get used much and is often cold (I am SO glad I am only renting and not owning this house!)

OP posts:
Sgtmajormummy · 05/10/2021 16:33

Ours is placed next to the chest freezer which pumps out warm air.

TheNoodlesIncident · 05/10/2021 17:53

@Buttons294749

Ooh now I'm thinking do I get and squeeze one under the stairs? we have a town house and the bottom level does t get used much and is often cold (I am SO glad I am only renting and not owning this house!)
If there's space to, why not? You'll need to measure the area to find out how much room there is. Ideally you don't want access to be too difficult if it needs any repairs and there should be room for a reasonable airflow around it, but aside from that anywhere outside a bathroom should be OK.

I did a quick search for smaller tumble dryers, lots are available like this one looks OK? Lots of options out there!

I got one as our washing always dried stiff like cardboard somehow, and I didn't want to put a newborn into cardboard sleepsuits. It makes such a difference as it doesn't matter if it's tipping it down outside, you can still get a load of laundry done in a few hours. I'd never go back...

BeyondMyWits · 05/10/2021 17:57

We have a vented one, but just shove the tube out under the propped up,
slightly open garage door. Keep meaning to get a vent fitted, but to be honest it does the job.

AuntieJoyce · 05/10/2021 18:11

A bit like @BeyondMyWits i have a vented in the garage. I pull out the vent to use it. I don’t even direct it out the door. The steam/air just dissipates and then I tuck it back after using. If I didn’t worry about tripping over the vent I’d just leave it out on the floor

chocolateorangeinhaler · 05/10/2021 18:33

I've got a condenser dryer in my garage. It works fine summer or winter.

Apparently in terms of efficiency vented dryers are the best, the others are more efficient in colder weather.

TheCanyon · 05/10/2021 18:41

We have a condenser that's lived in the shed for years, works fine.

whatsthestory123 · 05/10/2021 19:58

i have a vented one but dont have the venting tube lol (garage)

works well and no problems ive even got it on top of a single freezer so it's chest height

maybe not quiet how it's suppose to be

DazzleDrops · 05/10/2021 20:05

We have an Indesit condenser one in the garage, we got it purely because it can be used in there. We have it next to the chest freezer. Never had any problems with it (up to now - it'll probably break down now 😂)

Original poster
Buttons294749 · 05/10/2021 23:26

Thanks!
Think a condenser one might work well as I'm too lazy to remember to open the garage door haha!

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 05/10/2021 23:29

We have a John Lewis own brand condenser dryer in our garage. It’s nearly 10 and has been no trouble.

Hen2018 · 05/10/2021 23:40

I have neither a dryer nor a garage.

Sad times.

DroopyClematis · 06/10/2021 12:26

I gather that many Beko appliances are geared to very cold temperatures ( -15) and are ideal for garages.
We've just bought one of their freezers for our garage .

Original poster
Buttons294749 · 06/10/2021 17:48

Interesting thanks!

OP posts:
User85858686 · 06/10/2021 17:51

@Hen2018

I have neither a dryer nor a garage.

Sad times.

Me neither 😭😭😭
Callmecordelia · 06/10/2021 17:52

I have a condenser one in the garage because I couldn't have a heat pump one due to temperature. The garage is integrated but the door is not well insulated and it gets cold. I have a beko freezer in there too, as it was pretty much the only one I could get that was specifically suited to garages.

Original poster
Buttons294749 · 06/10/2021 17:53

I had a 2 bed flat until recently and actually found it loads easier to dry there as we were high up/S facing. I even had washing out in the snow (it was covered by the balcony above)! (Also my washer was so much better too!)

OP posts:
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