Tumbledryers - yes really!

[Deadsouls]

Hi, don't know if this the correct forum for this question?

I have till now gone through my whole life never owning a tumble dryer...so have no clue about them...

Please may I have recommendations for a good tumble dryer:

not too expensive
Energy efficient (is there such a thing)
Tumble dryer only (not washer/dryer combi)

Thanks!!

I have always gone for pretty cheap tumble dryer. I am on my second in about 10 years.

I don't really use it that much - just those awkward months September, October, March & April, when the heating isn't on so it is difficult to dry anything in our cold house, although I still hang a lot of stuff up.

Do you want vented or condenser? For vented, the main maker of energy efficient models is White Knight (rating B/C).

We got the Hotpoint TCM580 in February and really like it. It is a condenser dryer. I picked that one as it had good reviews, is a good price (around £200) and has a huge drum, think its 8kg. So you can fit alot into it and everything has plenty of space to get dry.

I've left stuff in it overnight if I've forgotten to empty it and things don't get too creased. The water drawer is easy to empty. My only complaint is that if the water drawer is full, the machine carries on tumbling without actually drying. So you can go in after 90mins to empty the machine only to find the clothes are still wet. There is a light indicator to show the water drawer needs to be emptied but my old dryer used to cut out when the water drawer was full so at lest it wasn't using any electricity. Minor complaint though as I should be more vigilant with the water drawer.

The room does get warm/humid when it is on but I think that is the case with any condenser dryer. I am about to install an xpelair in that room anyway and usually just open the window when it's on.

I use mine all day, every day. Family of 7. Get through one every five years or so. We just go for the cheapest condenser available.

Never had one till last year - and now couldnt live without it! Ours is a LG.

vented are generally simpler and cheaper (not always)

but you'll need a hole to poke the hose through. If you are a competent DIYer you can get a core drill from a tool hire shop that will cut a neat round hole in a brick wall. You'll enjoy it so much that you'll drill holes for a bathroom fan and a cooker hood as well before you give it back.