American style dryer in UK

[Mumsnut]

Has anyone got one? 20 years ago, I bought one from a specialist shop (now sadly out of business) that re-wired US appliances for the UK market. It died today

I really want something similar: sturdy, no none-sense, huge capacity, dead simple

( I had the matching washer; it lasted 17 years. The ‘normal’ washer I bought to replace it is crap by comparison and I don’t want to make that mistake again)

How was it different to a dryer you could buy in the UK now? What was so special about it?

I am also puzzled (and have lived in both countries). 20 years ago this made slightly more sense--as I recall, the biggest capacity we could get around then was about 6kg. Nowadays they're bigger. There are American companies that make 220V appliances for export, but I don't think they'd be easy to find. American size machines don't fit in British houses, which expect counter height appliances. The only real difference between American and European dryers (as long as we're comparing vented rather than condenser) is capacity. It's not like washing machines where they actually work differently.

Following with interest. I imagine they are far less energy/water efficient, but an extra large load washed AND dried in 90 minutes or less on my mom’s US machines vs. 5-6 hours in total on my uk machines. imagine not having the ever present pile of laundry waiting it’s turn…

American machines are hot/cold fill so they take water from the tank. This speeds up the cycle. Newer models also have an internal element so they can heat the water hotter than the tank for a sanitize cycle. Energy efficiency varies greatly depending on type (top loader or front; front loaders are high efficiency) and model.

It is a massive yellow cube, far bigger than a UK appliance. We had the utility room built around the pair at the time. The door is a huge flap, not a glass circle. It is wired in- no plug

i don’t know the capacity , but I can dry a double duvet in it. Could :(

it may be that in the last 20 years, UK dryers have caught up in terms of capacity.

or maybe I could look at a commercial model?

No idea but but know exactly what you mean. Last time I was on holiday in US villa the whole family came home with clean, dry clothes.

On my google for you though I discovered they have gas tumble driers! My mind is blown.

The big yellow cube sounds more like a commercial dryer than a domestic one. Might looking for that help?

Yep, I’m looking at commercial