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Housekeeping

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Tumble dryers - how long should they last and can you recommend a cheap one?

11 replies

Twotabbycats · 18/12/2018 00:59

Can anyone recommend a cheap tumble dryer? Probably not the very cheapest but a reasonable dryer for a reasonable price.

We bought an Indesit 2 years ago to replace an old mid-range ventilator dryer (I forget the make) that had lasted 15 years. The Indesit has given up the ghost - first it stopped heating and was just blowing out cold air, and now it makes a thumping noise when it goes round. The shop we bought it from sent round their repair people who fixed the cold air problem but after some humming and haa-ing said they couldn't fix the thumping sound as the frame that holds the drum is worn out and not repairable. They asked if I used it unusually frequently. I don't think I do - I use it maybe 3 times a week. All this has taken some time and it's now out of its 2-year guarantee, but because my initial complaint was within the two years the shop has offered us the cost of the dryer against any new one they stock, with a year's guarantee on the new one.

Of course in the two and a bit years prices have gone up and we won't get so much for our money. We don't have much spare to upgrade. We will probably get a Candy or a Beko. Really we just want one that won't fall apart after 2 years (AIBU to expect a tumble dryer to last more than 2 years?). Anyone have any experiences of those brands having lasted well? Noisiness is not too much of an issue as we have it in the utility room, but would like the clothes to come out dry without having to start again when it thinks it's done it's job!

We stack the tumble dryer on top of the washing machine, not sure if that could have had an impact on the frame wearing out?

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
ohiamsodamntired · 18/12/2018 01:15

Have a beko one

It's quite old now - was probably the cheapest full size condenser 6 years ago

Still going strong bar a small amount of rust in a corner but does the job brilliantly

Topseyt · 18/12/2018 01:17

My only experience of Indesit was in a property I rent out. It was a washing machine which only lasted just over a year.

I think they are a crap brand. Cheap for a reason. I would take any money the shop offers towards a new machine. The main brand that I have always had good experiences with has been Bosch. I had a Bosch washing machine for 15 years before it died. My tumble dryer is a 9 year old Bosch and is going well still. My dishwasher likewise (also Bosch).

Worth paying a bit more if you possibly can.

Stacking the machines is fine usually as long as it is properly done - sturdy and stable.

frugalkitty · 18/12/2018 07:54

My tumble dryer is a hotpoint vented one, we've had it 15 years and it's still going strong.

Thumbellini · 18/12/2018 08:02

We have a white knight one, cheap and cheerful, quite basic but has excellent reviews. Only have it a year mind you but I like it

countingto10 · 18/12/2018 18:05

I took delivery of this one about a month ago. I can not recommend it enough, just belches out hugh amounts of dry laundry quickly (is a Which’s Best Buy ), I can honestly say it has transformed my life ......

Suggest waiting til sales though, I got £60 off in Black Friday week.

dontcallmelen · 18/12/2018 18:07

White Knight are very good, I had one for about seventeen years.

3catsandcounting · 18/12/2018 18:09

Another vote for White Knight: I w has two in 23 years. The current one is only 5-6 years old.

3catsandcounting · 18/12/2018 18:09

*I've had - Stupid phone

helpmum2003 · 18/12/2018 18:12

I would look at the Which reports.

Our Zanussi tumble is 16 years old..... Most of our other appliances are Bosch and they are a reliable brand but not the cheapest....

We have an appliance repair man and he says white goods are only built to last 5 years now.... 😱😱😱😱.

Twotabbycats · 19/12/2018 00:19

Thanks so much everyone - will look into all these! I really want the money so that I could take it elsewhere and have a better choice, but I doubt that's going to happen!

My dishwasher is a Bosch... bought it second hand for £50 when it was already 10 years old, thinking it would maybe last a year till we could afford a new one. It's still going strong after 6 years! So would love a Bosch dryer but don't think I can afford itSad

Was seduced by Indesit because it was a good deal at the time, but quite glad the shop can't replace it s I wouldn't buy another. Interesting to hear I'm not the only one who's had problems with them.

Will look at Which if I can - no subscription though!

OP posts:
EcoCleaner · 23/12/2018 21:22

Definitely White Knight. They’re basic but reliable and still made in the U.K. They’re made in what used to be the Philips dryer factory and still use the same design.

www.argos.co.uk/product/6512114?cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59158%7Cacid:532-198-3455%7Ccid:200294090%7Cagid:12525739490%7Ctid:pla-270477153531%7Ccrid:66128561930%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:18234201423096971343%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:1o2%7Cmt:%7Cloc:1006832&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImbD57fC23wIVB7TtCh1U2QceEAQYAiABEgIfVvD_BwE

For info, since 2005, Hotpoint and Indesit are the same company and their entry level vented dryers are exactly the same machines just with a different design on the body, so if your Indesit hasn’t been any good, the Hotpoint equivalent won’t be any different.

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