Condenser Tumble dryer under the stairs or........

[waterjungle]

We are moving into a new house next weekend and there is only space in the kitchen for a washing machine not our tumble dryer.
I bloody love my tumble dryer and with two DS under 4 it is a godsend.
There is a cupboard under the stairs where it may for (it is a condenser one so doesn't have the tube thingy). Would it be dangerous to put it under the stairs in the cupboard (it's the kind of space people convert into an understairs toilet) if the door was left open when used?
It's either that or a washer/dryer (we need to buy a new washing machine anyway) but they seem crazy expensive and no one seems to think they do a good job.
So two questions:
1:Can I put my condenser tumble dryer under the stair in a large cupboard?
2: If not should I buy a washer dryer?
3: Do you have a washer/dryer you would recommend?
Ok that's 3 questions....sorry!

Could you google the operation manual and see what the minimum requirement are for space around the machine?

“Tumble Dryers Need Air To Breath
A tumble dryer needs a ready supply of cool (not too cool and not too warm) air to "breath".

It has to take air in that is cooler than the air in the dryer and it also has to be able to expel that air once it's heated and, even on a condenser or heat pump condenser tumble dryer, that air which is expelled will have some moisture in it, just as a vented dryer expels the air with moisture in it out the vent.

That means a few things for you to consider when you set out to buy a new tumble dryer.

The first is that putting a condenser or heat pump dryer in a confined space with little or a restricted supply of fresh air is a non-starter. You cannot put it in a cupboard and close the door for example. As an absolute minimum you should really have the dryer in a room that has at least 3m² with a fresh supply of air, even an open door to an adjacent room or an open window will do.

If you don't do this then all that happens is that the dryer ends up recirculating the air and, in the process, heating it up. With condenser based dryers this just kills the efficiency of the machine meaning you can end up using way more electricity than you probably realise.

Air Too Warm To Allow Correct Operation
Although not a problem seen that often, at least here in the UK, you can get almost the same thing happening where the air the dryer gets is too warm.

The air passing over the condenser is too warm and the dryer is unable to get a cold enough surface to condense the moisture in the warm air.

This is effectively what happens when they are shut in an unventilated room, especially a small one.

Again vented dryer cope better with these extremes but are not immune to issues caused by them.

As with the winter, during the summer months garages and other outbuildings can get really warm, far too warm to allow your dryer to work correctly, if at all.

Consider Your Needs
The best thing you can possibly do, before choosing a new dryer, is to consider not just the fancy features and looks of the machine but very much where you will install the dryer as that will often determine which one is best or, in a lot of cases, even possible.”

I can't answer your questions as such but I can tell you about our tumble dryer

It's a condensing dryer but the air it pumps out is still quiet warm. We have it in downstairs bathroom and keep the window open when it's in use. You can definitely tell when it's on because the room has a 'sauna' feel to it, even though it's fully condensing. I'd personally never put a condensing dryer in a cupboard

I moved house recently and, like you, now only have space for one appliance. I bought a John Lewis washer dryer and it's been great. It was a Which 'Best Buy' and it both washes and dries as well as my previous separate appliances did - I've been really impressed. It's the Wash and Dry 8/4kg JLWD1614. I can't remember exactly how much it was, but it didn't break the bank.

Dissenting voice - I've had my condenser tumble dryer under the stairs for the last 3 years with no issues. Wouldnt be without it! Door is left open while its on.
Maybe washer/dryers have improved massively since I last had one but I've always found them extremely inefficient.

I have a condenser dryer in the under stair cupboard (we are in a flat) it's a big space and I just leave the door open. We have been here 7 years and never had any problems with it. It doesn't sit right against the back of the cupboard more in the middle and I just make sure nothing is against the back of it.

SanJunipero that's the one I was considering!

Great username by the way, that one made me cry.....

I also have mine under the stairs and it's fine, I only use it in the winter as I dry stuff in the garden in the nicer months.
I keep the door open when it's on, no issues so far.

Washer dryers take forever to dry. With 4 DS you wouldn’t be able to wash & tumble at the same time like you probably do now.

I wouldn't recommend putting an unattended electrical appliance under the stairs.

In UK houses, the staircase is generally made of wood, and forms part of the essential escape route from the bedrooms to the front (or back) door.

From time to time, washers and driers catch fire.

BTW a drier (which is very light) can be stacked on top of a washing machine, with a retaining kit to prevent it falling off.

Some manufacturers make a standard kit. There are also universal kits available. This can be helpful if your kitchen or futility room is small.

We put ours under the stairs but took the cupboard door off. We don’t use it at night and only have it on when we are in the house. Ours is a Miele. We couldn’t stack it as there is no room in the kitchen to do that. We’d have to take cupboards off walls or move the boiler. Very badly designed kitchen and I can only dream of a futility room.

My utility room doesn't have any windows but has an extractor fan. It's a condenser dryer. Door to room always open

My tumble dryer is in a similar cupboard. We always leave the door open while using the tumble dryer to let the air circulate, and leave it ajar for a while after using it while it’s hot. Works really well for us.

My condensor is under the stairs, however it's an open space not a cupboard. I don't think I'd feel comfortable with the latter option.

Mine's been in the cupboard under the stairs for over 15 years. You need to make sure there is a little space around it and I leave the cupboard door open when using it. Not had any problems.

We stayed in a posh apartment in Canada a few years ago which had the washer and dryer stacked in a small closet space. It worked really well. Other countries also allow you to put a washer in the bathroom - UK rules are a bit unusual on this. I think it would be fine, personally (and in previous houses I've had 'utility rooms' not much bigger than a cupboard under the stairs, often with the gas boiler in there for good measure.)

Did you buy it in the end? Having to make a similar decision to you!

A lot of utility rooms I've seen in the UK are tiny so how would that work with air circulation?
I'm also thinking of putting mine in the cupboard under the stairs of our new house when we move as there isn't anywhere else to put it and I got 3 dc.