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Housekeeping

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Original poster

condensor dryer...what am I doing wrong??...

30 replies

Badvoc · 11/05/2012 19:30

Had to have a condensor dryer in the new house as there is no where to put a vented one.

I hate it.

It makes the utility area hot and humid even with the fan on and window open. It takes AGES to dry the clothes...today I gave up and have put them on the clothes horse to dry...after over 2 hours in the dryer they were STILL damp!

Is it me or are all condensor dryers like this?

(filter is clean and washed out every month, water drawer emptied after each cycle)

OP posts:
IDismyname · 11/05/2012 19:32

What model do you have?

In the past, I've had combined washers and dryers that are pants, but I've had a condensing tumble dryer that works really well.

(Sigh... now I've said that, It'll break down :( )

Mealiepudding · 11/05/2012 19:34

Doesn't sound right.

I have a condenser dryer (my second one) and it dries a load of towels in less than 2 hours. No hot humidity near it either.

It does leave a puddle on the floor occasionally though...

Do you clean out the actual condenser regularly? I find mine needs cleaned more than the recommended once a month.

HeathRobinson · 11/05/2012 19:34

Are the clothes spun enough before they go in?

MrsApplepants · 11/05/2012 19:35

Sounds like something wrong here, after 2 hours in my condenser dryer the clothes would be like iron!!

IDismyname · 11/05/2012 19:35

Sorry, that wasn't a very helpful post, Bad

  • is it a new model? Still under warranty? It sounds like you need to get it checked out... How much water does it collect when it dries? Is your washing machine spinning most of the water out before you put the stuff in?
Methe · 11/05/2012 19:35

We have one and I hate it too. It think they are universally quite crap compared to vented dryers. Ours takes ages, is noisy and makes the cupboard it's in quite damp.

Have you been emptying the fluff and cleaning the filter?

Coconutty · 11/05/2012 19:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Littlemissimpatient · 11/05/2012 19:39

Sorry I can't help op but I will watch this thread with interest.
We currently have a very old vented one in spare room but when this becomes babys nursery we were going to get a condenser one in garage. Maybe not if they are rubbish!

Original poster
Badvoc · 11/05/2012 19:41

Hmm...maybe its because I was used to a vented one?

Its a hoover brand one...not my choice but we had to get one quickly and that was the only one we liked in stock at the shop....its was quite expensive IIRC.

I always wash the clothes on max spin (1200) on my machine.

Am worried I am doing something wrong

OP posts:
Original poster
Badvoc · 11/05/2012 19:42

Have been emptying the filter and water tray after each cycle...

OP posts:
blondiep14 · 11/05/2012 19:42

I have a Zanussi condensor which I love.
It lives in a cupboard which gets a bit hot and damp but nothing bad.

Sounds like yours isn't working - is it new?

Coconutty · 11/05/2012 19:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ObviouslyOblivious · 11/05/2012 19:44

Are you emptying and cleaning all the filters? You haven't missed one?

Original poster
Badvoc · 11/05/2012 19:45

I dont think so...its 6 months old.

Will check the instructions again...thanks

OP posts:
BiscuitNibbler · 11/05/2012 19:45

Are you emptying the fluff? A load of towels in mine dries in about 60 - 75 minutes, and it is just a cheapy one.

Ramekin · 11/05/2012 19:47

I had the same problem - getting a new washing machine improved matters immeasurably - my old washing machine said it was spinning at 1400, but it was clearly lying Grin.

How wet is stuff when you put it in?

ilove · 11/05/2012 19:49

You need to find and empty the actual condensor too...not just the water and fluff filter

GiveTheAnarchistACigarette · 11/05/2012 19:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Geranium3 · 11/05/2012 21:41

my condenser was terrible as well,in the end i got rid of it and replaced it with a dishwasher, wet clothes but lovely clean dishes!!

Hassled · 11/05/2012 21:46

Re you defluffing it? Mine gets a bit shit when I forget - not just the fliter but there might also be a pully outy bit near the bottom that you can rinse the fluff out of.

Hassled · 11/05/2012 21:46

Are you, not Re you

Pinner35 · 11/05/2012 21:49

Try looking at the heat exchanger. It needs rinsing under a tap or shower to get rid of the debris and fluff (well, ours does anyway). If its blocked, the thermostat on the dryer won't work properly.

jaquelinehyde · 11/05/2012 21:55

Doesn't sound right to me, mine is about 5-6 months old and dries everything really quicky, uses hardly any electricity and makes the room warm but not hot or humid.

exexpat · 11/05/2012 22:10

I wondered why my condensor was doing that when I'd had it for a few months, and I had regularly cleared the fluff filter in the door, then discovered the other fluff filter - hidden in the base and accessed by pressing a button - which was completely clogged. Cleared that and it worked fine. Check your manual and see if there is something you have missed?

StealthPolarBear · 11/05/2012 22:20

We'e just got a condenser after a vented. It does make the room hot but I stand the clothes on the airer up as close as I can to it while it's on.
It's as good as our old vented one, but is newer and probably more expensive so probably comparing like for like I'd agree they're not as good - whihc makes sense really, with a vented the moisture is wicked far away - with a condenser it all stays a bit close