Talk to me about condenser dryers . .

[user1488286290]

So we're getting a new kitchen (yay!). Having had a washer/dryer for several years I'm very excited about being able to wash and dry separately.

However, because of where the dryer is going, I either need an extra deep worktop to accommodate the rear venting hose out to the side wall, or choose a side venting machine which seem few and far between (and none of those I've found I like the look of). I'm not massively keen on either option and DH has suggested we just get a condenser dryer instead of vented. It's the only place in the house it can go.

How easy is it to empty? I can barely lift a saucepan of water so don't fancy schlepping across the kitchen with a large box of water. Do they dry as well!? Our washer/dryer basically steams the clothes so we gave up on it for drying but I don't see how a water collection box is any different than the water being removed via a waste pipe as per washer/dryer . .

I've already compromised on several other aspects for various reasons and this may be the straw that breaks the camels back!!

Vented dyers tend to be quieter and dry quicker. Condenser dryers tend to take longer but are more energy efficient.

We've got a condenser and it's plumbed into the same drain outlet as the washer (they're next to each other) so it drains itself without having to empty the tank

Most condensers I've looked at can be diverted to drain into a sink. You might need to replace the sink trap but if your having a new kitchen you might as well have it done when the sink goes in.

Another vote for Zanussi. Mines been going for at least 9 years now too.

Don't get a Samsung heat pump technology dryer as it doesn't dry properly and takes ages .

They had 5 stars in John lewis - v expensive, but by the time I realised it wasn't me that was the problem it was the machine and I checked again they had either no stars or 2 stars and I'd paid over 600 quid for it.
I think it is some sort of heat exchanger rather than a dryer.

I have the cheapest beko sensor condenser and you can plump it in. It's only a thin pipe like a washing machine drain. It's fab

DO NOT GET A HEAT PUMP MEILE CONDENSER: takes ages to dry, the sensor is rubbish but most annoyingly if you put in sheets in order to get the AAA energy rating they extended the time the drum spins in one direction. So, to dry a king size duvet you put it into dry, pause it after an hour, unknot it (takes a good 2 mins), put it on another hour, pause it unknot it (again another 2 minutes) then
put it on again. It's been checked over again by Meile recently but apparently "it's working fine". Got advice from young sales guy at Meile who recommended it but now I remember he said he was young and single and so for him it was probably a good buy: useless for a family though!

DO NOT GET A HEAT PUMP MEILE CONDENSER: takes ages to dry, the sensor is rubbish but most annoyingly if you put in sheets in order to get the AAA energy rating they extended the time the drum spins in one direction. So, to dry a king size duvet you put it into dry, pause it after an hour, unknot it (takes a good 2 mins), put it on another hour, pause it unknot it (again another 2 minutes) then
put it on again. It's been checked over again by Meile recently but apparently "it's working fine". Got advice from young sales guy at Meile who recommended it but now I remember he said he was young and single and so for him it was probably a good buy: useless for a family though!
This is what I have, it's fine! If anything, my only complaint is that it sometimes dries things too much, but I think that's probably because I knew exactly how to deal with my old tumble drier & it has taken a while to get used to this one.