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Original poster

John Lewis say that vented tumble dryers are "the most popular" but

64 replies

PattyMcGinty · 19/02/2014 12:27

they only seem to sell 6 of them. They sell 40 different condenser ones.

Maybe I should get a condenser one - even if I can have vented? What do you wise-ones say?

OP posts:
NoArmaniNoPunani · 19/02/2014 12:28

If you have a vent I'd go for vented, otherwise you are continually emptying the water tray

OnePlanOnHouzz · 19/02/2014 12:48

Vented is the better at drying IME - condenser dryers don't get the clothes as dry !

Original poster
PattyMcGinty · 19/02/2014 13:19

I'd heard that vented were best but am confused at the very good feedback comments on the condensers and also the fact that John Lewis are selling so many condensers and so few vented options.

OP posts:
Beccadugs · 19/02/2014 13:26

Vented are infinitely better. Stuff dries quicker and they are less like to make the clothes smell "metallic"!

I imagine that the difference in numbers is that the vented dryer is a simple beast, so they only stock the best?!

ouryve · 19/02/2014 13:28

Condenser dryers are a bit more versatile because you can put them pretty much anywhere in the house. Vented dryers seem to be a bit cheaper, which probably explains their popularity.

vj32 · 19/02/2014 13:30

I don't know anyone that has a proper vent so they end up getting put through open windows or the cat flap. Which when you are presumably tumbling because it is too wet or cold outside to dry washing seems a bit silly.

We have a condensing one. Didn't buy it but was left in house when we moved in. After loads of problems in last house with condensation damp to the point where we couldn't dry any washing in the house I love the fact that it collects water that would otherwise be going into the air. I like emptying the water tray. Realise most people don't have a water/damp obsession though.

Vickiyumyum · 19/02/2014 13:33

vented dries faster. my tumble dryer is in the garage and vented through the window.

had a condenser at the last house and hated it, couldn't leave it on if I was going out and it took forever to dry especially items like towels or jeans. It used a lot more electricity as well.

WoodBurnerBabe · 19/02/2014 13:34

We have a condenser one (Beko) and it came with a kit to convert it to vented (sort of). It plugs into the back of the machine and drains the water down the washing machine waste pipe. Works fine :-)

RuddyDuck · 19/02/2014 16:43

We used to have a vented one, but when we moved house bought a (John Lewis!) condensing one as it needed to go against an internal wall. Tbh, I haven't noticed a difference in drying times etc. The only thing that is different is that this one has a sensor to judge whether clothes are dry, and it tends to think they are when they still need another few minutes imo. However, we usually use the timer instead.

kmdesign · 19/02/2014 16:47

Vented are popular but condensing are better. They are more energy efficient and the better makes can be plumbed so you dont have to drain the water tank.

LeonieDeSainteVire · 19/02/2014 18:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PigletJohn · 19/02/2014 18:27

vented are simpler and cheaper and have less to go wrong. Any handywoman can get a Core Drill from a tool hire shop, it cuts a neat round hole in the wall for the duct. If you hire one for a day you can also cut holes for your bathroom extractor and cooker hood the same day. They are quite heavy.

TunipTheUnconquerable · 19/02/2014 18:29

Thanks for that tip re the core drill, PigletJohn - that's really good to know.

MaryShelley · 19/02/2014 18:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
PattyMcGinty · 19/02/2014 22:30

oh lots of info here. KMDesign - On the John Lewis website they said that some condensing dryers could be plumbed for water to drain but I haven't managed to find any on their website yet.

We're having a new laundry room made and have plumbers/electricians/builders available so we can have either. My automatic choice was vented however after reading JL website I'm starting to wonder.

KMDesign post made me double-wonder.

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 19/02/2014 23:22

I find it difficult to understand why there is so much reluctance to drilling a hole in a wall. It's easy, and cheap, and will last as long as the house does.

anothernumberone · 19/02/2014 23:25

Well if the option is between condensator and vented driers surely the should be calling them the 'more' popular. God I have never ever done that before. I am officially a twat.

anothernumberone · 19/02/2014 23:25

The= they I deserve that

Original poster
PattyMcGinty · 20/02/2014 00:28

pigletjohn - there is no reluctance on our part to drill a hole in the wall. I just want to know what the best option for a tumble dryer is.

anothernumber - John Lewis are correct on grammar even if I'm still questioning their tumble dryers.

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 20/02/2014 08:46

Didn't mean you in particular, sorry.

wonkylegs · 20/02/2014 10:15

My reluctance to drilling a hole in a wall was that I didn't want my TD to go in a place that had a convenient external wall!
I've had both types of dryer and can honestly say our condenser dries as well and as quickly as my MILs vented one. I do think that some makes are better than others though.
My zannussi is getting on a bit now (7yrs) but still works excellently however my SIL got an awful one (hotpoint i think) that used to take hours to dry stuff. When she had my latest niece we decided to buy her a new Bosch one and it's sooooo much better.

HauntedNoddyCar · 20/02/2014 11:08

My vented TD is 18 years old.
We moved house a while back and the vendors left their condensing TD. Was bloody awful. We put a vent in quick smart to use the vented antique.

Forago · 20/02/2014 11:23

I bought a condensing one from John Lewis in 2003 (Siemens) and it is still going strong 3 houses later! It also had a plumbing in kit but we've never bothered. I use it after every wash and do all my washing at the weekend when I do about 7 or 8 loads. I find I only have to empty it maybe twice at most throughout. It's in the utility room next to the sink so no big deal really. I have a routine that I take it out, put it in the sink, put in the next wash, then it has emptied and I stick it back in and put the first lot on to dry. It beeps and stops filling up when getting full. I find the stuff dries fine and I never use it on the top setting. You have to clean out the fluff filter maybe as often as the water tank (maybe the same with a vented one?) and I rinse the condenser unit out and leave to dry maybe once or twice a year as does get a bit clogged up.

Really haven't had any issues with it in 11 years! I think it was only a B rated one when I bought but you can prob get A rated ones now. My bills aren't too high I don't think? Large family, larger house, washing machine am stumble drier on all weekend and dishwasher every day and we pay about £100 a month for gas and electricity

Forago · 20/02/2014 11:25

Also when I first discovered that you pay for water twice - once to supply it and once to take it away as waste, I went through a phase of emptying it into the lawn out the back door as "free water" hahah!

MrsCakesPremonition · 20/02/2014 11:27

We did what PigletJohn suggests and drilled the hole through the wall. It was a very, very simple job although the brick dust was messy.

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