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Housekeeping

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Original poster

Tumble dryer - vented or condenser?

26 replies

DonkeyTeapot · 06/07/2012 16:41

My washing has been sat on the airers for about five days and still isn't dry, and it's starting to smell. Our not-used-very-often dishwasher has just packed up, and we're thinking of not replacing it, but getting a tumble dryer instead.

Does it make much difference whether you have a condenser or a vented one? Any brand recommendations? Thanks!

OP posts:
homeaway · 06/07/2012 16:48

A condenser can be anywhere in the house without having to be connected to the outside for ventilation, a condenser you can have anywhere as there is a container that collects the water. You just empty the container when it is full. A condenser is more expensive but i would go with that if you can afford it.

whosphuckoffy · 06/07/2012 16:50

I would go for vented, we've got one, dries quicker than a condenser and you want to use as little leccy as poss with a tumble drier they are binge eater's of the stuff Grin

BikeRunSki · 06/07/2012 16:51

Condenser.much more convenient, for the reasons above. And all you need to do is plug it in. With vented ones you need someone to come and make a hole in your wall unless you have a window to danglevthe hose out of.

Original poster
DonkeyTeapot · 06/07/2012 16:56

Thanks for replies so far.

I was wondering if either option was generally better in terms of performance, as I had heard that condensers take ages to get the clothes dry, but I only heard that from one person so wasn't sure if that was lots of peoples' experience. It's not a problem getting a hole put in the wall.

OP posts:
GiveTheAnarchistACigarette · 06/07/2012 17:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ClaireBunting · 06/07/2012 17:31

You choose based on where it is located. If it's on an outside wall, get a vented one. If you have no choice but to use an internal wall, you need a condenser.

purplepansy · 06/07/2012 19:13

I had a vented one and was really reluctant to change to condenser as had also heard they were rubbish, but actually bought one (as no vent in rented house) and it is flippin brilliant - takes less time than the old machine and much more convenient.

dexter73 · 06/07/2012 21:04

I have a condenser dryer. Check your clothes care labels though. I would say 75% of my clothes can't be tumble dried. I use my td mostly for bedding and towels and hardly dry any clothes in it.

littleweed10 · 06/07/2012 21:22

Wasn't ever convinced by condensed dryers but then we moved to a house with no easy way of venting, so a condenser it was.
We bought a siemens one- on offer at the time!
It is fantastic, good energy rating and dries the washing so quickly.

GiveTheAnarchistACigarette · 06/07/2012 21:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
DonkeyTeapot · 06/07/2012 23:18

From the posts so far, it looks like Vented vs. Condensers are pretty evenly matched. Bugger. I was hoping loads of people would say "Definitely get X! Y are rubbish!"

I don't anticipate using it all the time, I line dry where possible, it's just when the weather is like this the washing ends up sitting around for ages. DP's work gear all comes from Primark, it's all jeans and t-shirts, so nothing particularly delicate or precious there :)

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 06/07/2012 23:52

vented are cheaper and more reliable.

IMO the people who say it isn't possible to vent through a wall most often mean they can't be bothered. Any DIYer or handman can hire a core drill which makes a neat round hole in the wall.

Anyone who says "my brand new £800 super whizzo condensor drier is better than my 20-year-old £50 vented" is not making a sensible comparison.

PigletJohn · 06/07/2012 23:54

or handywoman

livealoha · 06/07/2012 23:54

Condenser : )

thecinnamongiraffe · 07/07/2012 07:41

I have a condenser, it is very good, it also means that I tuck it away in a random built in cupboard (with no outside walls) and so still keep room for a dishwasher in the kitchen. I can't make holes in the walls here even if I could be bothered I don't think the LL would like it!

It has a sensor dryer thing which is meant to make it cheaper to run...

Melindaaa · 07/07/2012 08:08

Get a condenser. Ours is fab. We empty it once a day, it's not a pain to do at all. Slide out container of water, empty down sink, slide container back in again. We do it once a day and dry everything in our t/d. We are a family of 7 and I will never be without ours. In fact, we have a spare in the garage just in case it breaks.

GaryTankCommander · 07/07/2012 08:25

I would go for a condenser. But... IMO you get what you pay for so don't go too cheap if you do buy one.

Fluffycloudland77 · 07/07/2012 12:40

We used a condenser on holiday, it was fab.

Bosch loggixx do one thats £600 but only uses 1.5kwh of electric to dry a load.

Washing up by hand uses a lot of water (60ltrs each time according to good housekeeping) whereas my dw only uses 9ltrs. Could you get a second hand dw from the small ads? some charity shops do electricals too.

Dropdeadfred · 07/07/2012 12:43

Condenser definitely!!! I have had both types... The condenser was quicker and more convenient and I hated the vent blowing in the garden

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 07/07/2012 12:46

You can also plumb a condenser in so you never need to open it.

However, we have had loads of problems with hours, mainly because the teeny tiny tube the condensing bit uses keep filling with lint and blocking. And the big wads of wet lint don't do much for your drying time... I think a vented might be less faff maintenance wise.

Bunsouttheoven · 07/07/2012 12:48

We have a condenser, it is great. It is an AAA+ model. Dries quickly & has a sensor so stopped when clothes are dry. Said I'd never get one but I love it. Smile

Tigerbomb · 07/07/2012 13:03

I am also a convert to condenser.

Vented was great but I was sick to death of dangling the hose out of the cat flap and then falling/standing on the damn hose; the landlord wouldn't let me put a hole in the wall.

Moved into my own home and didn't have an outside wall so reluctantly bought a condenser. It is brilliant. The water tray is emptied onto the plants and the washing is dry in no time. My condenser has various buttons for type of "dryness"; cupboard, ironing etc

eragon · 07/07/2012 13:07

condenser.
have large family and have large drum size. use one that bleeps and stops when clothes are dry, this saves money as i used to over estimate the time they took to dry.

Original poster
DonkeyTeapot · 07/07/2012 15:44

So it seems that new condensers are pretty good then? Hmm, lots to think about there.

Fluffy we could replace the dishwasher but it really doesn't get enough use to warrant it. I don't mind washing up, as chores go. Am surprised that washing up by hand uses that much water! But, less electricity, so I guess it balances out?

It's not the expense of replacing it that is the problem (although is obviously a factor!), it's more the fact that we only have space for one or the other, until such times as we can get the kitchen done - which is way off in the future!

OP posts:
littleweed10 · 07/07/2012 19:28

Yep... And we don't even get commission!