If your tumble dryer actually DRIES clothes please let me know what kind it is!

[BoilYerHeid]

We bought a fairly expensive Samsung tumble dryer two years ago and I've cursed it every day since as it is utterly rubbish. It does not dry clothes except on one setting (took a long time to find that setting) and even then it only works if you put it on twice in a row, so it takes about 6-7 hours to dry a very normal load. It got good reviews at the time but has since been discontinued and has a smattering of reviews from those with the same experience as me. The 'sensor dry' aspect is clearly hopeless.

We need a new dryer before baby number 2 arrives (v soon!). I'm happy to go cheap and cheerful and ideally don't want any sensor crap, I'd be happy with 'hot, warm, cold' and a time setting. Not sure if that kind even still exists?

Anyway if you have a dryer that actually dries clothes can you let me know what kind it is? Thanks!

PS not Samsung

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MNHQ

I'm on my second Bosch Classic dryer (in 15 yrs, with daily use). I get to choose between extra dry, cupboard dry or air dry.
I also like that every bit of the lint filter system is accessible for cleaning.

We got a cheapy cheerful Beko (because it was the only size that would fit in the cupboard which had a maximum depth of 54cm).

this one

We've had it two years and never been a problem. It is 7KG and vented (don't know if that makes a difference). It does have a sensor, but you can bypass that by just selecting 40 minutes, 1 hour, etc.

I found a couple of the programmes left the clothes just a bit damp for me so I chuck everything on the Extra Dry programme now which delivers warm dry clothes every time.

A full load of bedding probably takes about an hour.

We bought it thinking that it might not be up to much, but so far so good.

We bought a cheapy White Kight - 21 years later it’s st going strong and is quick and efficient- but no idea about the energy rating or if they still make them.

In my experience the vented tumble dryers work much better than the condensing dryers, so go for one of those.

Our current dryer is an AEG Lavatherm bought from John Lewis at around £200 ish, had it 2 years, no problems, do 3-4 large wash loads a day and use it every day in the Winter when I can't hang washing outside. It has many settings, I use the cotton extra dry, synthetics and 30 min cycle.

Do you put all your load in the dryer at once? Just wondering if there's too much packed in together to dry?

Thanks for the replies. I think cheap and basic is the way I want to go. I just want a time and a temperature. On my Samsung I can't override the sensor. It was about £600 so I'm gutted. DH is talking about a £1500 Miele replacement but I'm not inclined to spend any more!

Definitely not overloading the drum, I usually put tshirts, jumpers, bras, woolly and chiffony tops etc on the radiator and never put sheets in, so all I'm asking the tumble dryer to do is pants, socks, babygros etc, it's never close to full. As time as gone on I've put less and less in as it drives me crazy!

We got a new Bosch Tumble Dryer (WTH83000GB) this year. It's fab.

I've got a cheap and cheerful Indesit, you choose between 2 heat settings and set the time on a knob. It's about £150, condenser, my clothes have never been drier!

I've got a Hotpoint drier that I've had for 12 years - wouldn't touch their washing machines or dishwashers with a barge pole but the drier has served me well. The only part I've had to replace is the knob as the teeth wore out. It dries a load of socks, pants etc in 30 mins. It only has 2 heat settings and i set my own time - although it has other settings. It is vented though - not condenser. I think vented dry faster.

I've got a condensing Beko that was about £180. It has some fancy settings but we just pop it on a timer. I love it.

Bosch classix here. Works brilliantly.

We lived in a rental with a super fancy Miele one. It was brilliant at carefully rolling up all the washing into a lovely egg shape, drying the outside and leaving the middle a sodden mess.

Beko condenser DCU8230 from ao.com
Not loads of cash and gets everything dry

Mine is a hotpoint heat pump drier. Good energy rating and dries well. Has settings for things or can set time and heat.

Vented all the way. The more basic the better.

Have a look at White Knight dryers. They’re U.K. made and are literally a timer and a heat setting.

www.whiteknightrange.co.uk/white-knight-tumble-dryers/white-knight-tumble-dryer-reversing-7kg-white.html

I second a cheap White Knight dryer, it cost about £150 and has been going strong for 7 years so far, it's got a big drum too which cuts down on creasing.

I have a Siemens condenser dryer of similar vintage which had a similar problem and the good news is that you maybe don't need to get a new one.
Deep in the inner depths of your manual may be the way to beef up the heat so that the sensor will only turn it off when it's properly dry. I warn you, the process to recalibrate the sensors on my machine was hugely fiddly (button pressing not screwdrivers, but still a PITA) and required a lot of foul language, but it was worth it, and it now dries things completely. So yes I'd recommend my Siemens WT46E381, which cost 400 quid from AO.com (after applying a discount code - always google for discount codes before buying from AO), but it's possible that your old machine is salvagable.

The other key thing, no matter what machine you have, is to dry polycottons and synthetics separately from pure cottons because they dry at different speeds so mixing them up will inevitably result in the sensor switching the machine off too soon.

Bosch classixx condenser dryer. Fab!

Bosch Classic dryer had it now for getting on 14 years with daily use. Brilliant purchase as it's a condenser easy to get rid of water and lint filter system is accessible for cleaning.

Definitely not Bosch. The first one I had needed to be replaced as it was a write-off within 3 months of getting it and their customer services were useless. I still have the same problem as you in that only one setting dries things which is basically the maximum one. Otherwise the moisture sensor turns it off. You can't open the door part way through the cycle or do a repeat cycle either as then the clothes are not wet enough for it to dry. It's a joke and I hate it.

Mine is a hotpoint one very good will dry a load in 2-3 hours max was just over £300 from currys x

We’ve got the Beko vented one linked up thread. It’s 3 years old and I’ve never had a problem with it. I use the cupboard dry sensor and everything is dry enough for me.

We looked for ages when we were buying and almost spent a fortune but thought better of it. Our old one was a cheap and cheerful Hotpoint vented that lasted 15 years. I’d be wary of getting one of theirs since they all started going on fire though.

Another one with a cheap White Knight - it’s really simple and gets everything dry first time.

I've got a really old Beko, probably 10+ years. Had to replace the drive belt last year for £50 but otherwise it's been a dream. I often use the extra dry setting as I do large loads and find the other settings can leave occasional damp patches.