Tumble drying

[Soggiemoggie]

Have 7 month old baby and now washing seems endless! The tumble dryer seems to be packing in or at least unable to keep up with it - can you lovely mumsnetters please recommend me a tumble dryer? Willing to spend however much and happy to take views on whether better to have a vented, condenser or heat pump. Thanks in advance

Just taken delivery of this one from John Lewis - it is brilliant.

I’m a family of six and my previous one was useless, took ages and stuff still wasn’t dry. Did my research on Which and this is one of their best buys. My only criteria was it drys clothes quickly and this is the quickest. I also bought a spin dryer on amazon for £90 which has cut down drying time. My laundry days have been transformed. No longer have to plan things around drying stuff etc.

It may not be the most eco friendly one or the cheapest to run but it does what it says on the tin and bearing in the initial cost compared to other fancy heat pump ones, we will have to own this for 5+ plus years before it starts costing more than those.

I've got a Bosch condenser dryer had it nearly 14 years! Love it still going strong

We have an AEG - it's efficient and economical. Leaves towels etc lovely and fluffy. Wouldn't get a condenser - had one in a rental house before and hated emptying it.

I looked into a heat pump but couldnt afford one. Very efficient and low energy rated though, so that could be an option?
I went for a Candy 9kg condenser. It's fabulous, £199 in Argos with free delivery ( mine came last week). Laundry days are transformed. We had a small vented before which was good but so tiny I had to split the load. I also had to hang the pile outside which wasn't fun lol.

Unless it's physically impossible to use a vented one, definitely get a vented one.

Condensers , although much of the moisture ends up in the water container, not all of it does, so they will contribute to condensation in your house.

I went for a cheap indesit one and it dries really quickly think it’s a b energy rating which isn’t to bad. Looked at a rated heat pump ones but couldn’t afford it at the time my other drier broke and had mixed reviews that they take ages to dry

Thanks for the replies - I've only ever used a vented so was wondering whether the grass is greener and all that...however from what I've read the jury seems to be out on condensers and I'm not sure the heat pump is the answer either as want to minimise the condensation in our house. We live with a windowless bathroom as it is. Might have to go for an old school vented one afterall!

Leafy2018 - is your AEG a vented one? I've seen good reviews on them

My indesit is a vented one

Yes it is @Soggiemoggie. I can't see the exact model - but it says AEG and 'Lavatherm'. We've had ours for a couple of years. It's never had any issues and is pretty quiet.

I'd prefer a vented one as they are less hassle, but it's physically impossible in our house. If you can do that, then absolutely stick to it. We have a Samsung condenser, and it's fine. It does take longer than I'd like so wouldn't suit you.

I’ve got an Indesit vented, very cheap, very basic (warm/hot plus timer) & I’m very happy with it - can’t be doing with programs & sensors.

BUT it’s one of those Whirlpool ones that had to be adapted due to fire risk so they’re never recommended any more...

On that basis countingto10’s Beko looks pretty good, esp capacity (mine’s only 7kg)

I’ve got a Miele condenser one it’s fab. It wasn’t that cheap. Just short of a grand I think. I’ve had it for three years, no complaints.

I have this one www.johnlewis.com/bosch-wtn83200gb-freestanding-condenser-tumble-dryer-8kg-load-b-energy-rating-white/p3288247 and I can't fault it.

I have a bosch condenser that cost in the region of £350 eight years ago. I love it.

We have a vented Bosch.

It’s marvellous. But then I set everything for an hour and always have done, so I have no idea how long or short they should run for.

In use every day, all year round. About 3 years old. I have form for killing tumble dryers with under wired bras. I’m doing quite well time wise with this one.

Zanussi condenser... was around £250. I've had AEG, Bosch, Miele and Hotpoint in the past. This one beats them all hands down. It's got a 9kg load and lots of different settings. Empty the tray once or twice a week... job done.

As an aside, we had a vented dryer before and the hose got completely blocked... so much so that it was blowing the fluff filter back into the dryer repeatedly and we had an engineer out to look at it. He was horrified and said he that he was amazed we hadn't had a fire and said how dangerous it was. We'd not looked at it in years. So now we have a condenser as I feel it is so much safer. If you do get a vented one, you must clean/empty the vent tube every few months and the outside vent cover.

AEG heat pump condenser. It never has to have the drawer emptied as the water goes straight into the drain via a tiny tube. We don’t get any condensation either and it’s situated in a utility room with widows on 3 sides.