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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Small kitchen: dryer or dishwasher?

45 replies

Nellodee · 17/12/2023 18:35

I think a dryer saves more time than a dishwasher, but then my washer and dryer seem to be on constantly. But everyone seems to have a dishwasher. How? Is it either or?

yabu - dishwasher beats dryer
yannu - dryer beats dishwasher

OP posts:
Lochness1975 · 17/12/2023 18:37

Have a dryer and couldn’t do without it, hated it one the last one died and had to wait a few moths for a new one. Luckily have room for both, and the dishwasher is what I’m saving for next!

Tinytigertail · 17/12/2023 18:38

I have both but if I had to choose, I think I'd probably keep the tumble dryer.

Mairzydotes · 17/12/2023 18:39

Can you put a dryer somewhere that isn't in the kitchen? Or get one of the Drysoon pods from Lakeland or a dribuddy? They don't take up much space.

DahliaMacNamara · 17/12/2023 18:40

Dryer every time.

poetryandwine · 17/12/2023 18:42

Tumble dryer for me.

App13 · 17/12/2023 18:44

Dryer, I have never understood how any kitchen copes without it

rainbowsparkle28 · 17/12/2023 18:44

Dishwasher without a doubt - could you get a washer-dryer or have dryer anywhere else rather than kitchen?

jemenfous37 · 17/12/2023 18:45

Dryer, unless you are washing up the dishes of 10 people

Floralnomad · 17/12/2023 18:46

I have both . If the dishwasher broke it might take me a couple of weeks to view replacements , if the dryer broke I would have a new one in place ASAP . The dryer does a job that cannot be replicated - my husband can wash up .

TheGoogleMum · 17/12/2023 18:46

Could you get a washer-dryer and dishwasher? I'm assuming you have a washing machine you could replace. If it was either or I'd choose dishwasher over dryer

AHFaemale · 17/12/2023 18:47

The only things I put in the dryer are bedding and towels (and only towels in the winter as I can usually dry in the patio in summer). I'd go for the dishwasher.

theduchessofspork · 17/12/2023 18:47

Both - Ideally put the dryer elsewhere

or
Get a washer dryer - everyone on here is rude about them, but a decent one does the job if you have restricted space - and a dishwasher.

Or
if you are just a couple get a dryer and a tabletop dishwasher

NetballHoop · 17/12/2023 18:48

Never had a dryer. We put clothes out in the garden almost all of the year.
I couldn't live without a dishwasher though.

Saggypants · 17/12/2023 18:49

Washer-dryers are shite.

I think my answer depends on what kind of cooking your family does and whether you have space elsewhere for a heated airer.

Changingplace · 17/12/2023 18:51

Get a washer/dryer and a dishwasher as well

Furrydogmum · 17/12/2023 18:51

If you get a condenser or heat pump dryer it can go anywhere. I couldn't be without either!

muddlingthrou · 17/12/2023 18:51

Don't tumble dryers wear your clothes out more quickly? Or did my mum lie to me 🤣

TheKeatingFive · 17/12/2023 18:53

Get a washer dryer.

No bloody way would I be living without a dishwasher

JollyMollyPolly · 17/12/2023 18:53

100% a dryer, I have both but find the filling and emptying of the dishwasher a chore in itself so I'd happily give that up. For me a dryer is essential to keeping everyday life running smoothly.

Candycurrantbun · 17/12/2023 18:53

Dishwasher. I'm quite happy to hang washing on the line or on airers to dry through the winter.

I'll never not have a dishwasher.

fingerguns · 17/12/2023 18:54

I'd go for dishwasher and washer-dryer, or is there a place like an understairs cupboard you can put a condenser dryer?

Burgundylover · 17/12/2023 18:59

I had a dryer years ago but latterly the only time I used it was to finish off slightly damp clothes that had dried outdoors. I did not miss it when it died. When the weather is too bad to dry outdoors, I just hang up on clothes airers and it is all dry the next day.
I cannot do without a dishwasher. When it has died I have replaced immediarely. Washing up is time consuming, endless and tedious. You can't put a full meal's worth of dishes on the drainer so is impractical. I hate washing up.

Bax765 · 17/12/2023 18:59

I'd definitely go for a dishwasher! We use it every day, sometimes more than once.

I hang most clothes up to dry, but we have a combined washer-dryer which we use for towels etc.

poetryandwine · 17/12/2023 18:59

muddlingthrou · 17/12/2023 18:51

Don't tumble dryers wear your clothes out more quickly? Or did my mum lie to me 🤣

Your mum was right, or that is what we believe in my home country. Where the climate facilitates hanging the laundry outside most of the year.

But in the UK we have to deal with so much rain that you need to plan your laundry days carefully if you want to hang your laundry outside. Also there are allergies in my family making this a bad idea.

I do hang items to be ironed, and iron them when damp. That is most of our nice clothing. But sheets etc go in the dryer because hanging them indoors takes too much space, looks a bit depressing, and they take ages to dry in cool weather

Sahara123 · 17/12/2023 19:06

Dishwasher for me , we’re not good washer uppers ! Stick stuff in all day , onto a timer at night to use off peak electricity. I have a dryer but I hardly use it as it’s expensive to run .