Tumble dryer dilemma

[itbemay]

We had a lovely new kitchen fitted and old kitchen had no cupboards so I went a bit mad with cupboards in new one and now I have loads of room.

In old kitchen we had a tumbler, fairly new and is non vented, I didn't allow for it in new kitchen as just wanted lots cupboards, put dryer in shed.

Now I really miss the dryer being easy access, is it easy to move it and stick it behind a cupboard door or would I have to buy a new integrated one?

Thx in advance!

Oh no! We're in the process of getting kitchen done and I had the same question about tumble dryers ; would it be possible to stick a cupboard front on to a freestanding dryer ? The answer from two kitchen companies was a resounding no 😩 but perhaps you can get a clever joiner to sort something out for you?

You would have to get an integrated dryer & the housing for it to sit in most likely unfortunately.

That's not right.

A tumble drier will fit in a 600mm space under a worktop. If you don't have one, you could take out a 1000mm unit and put in a 400mm unit to keep laundry supplies in.

Although there is a special door hinge to put a door on an integrated or semi-integrated appliance, you could put a 600mm door on the panel or unit next to the drier, it will be in the way a bit when you have it open, but you can get a fold-back hinge. To give clearance, it's usually done by screwing an 18mm strip onto the adjacent unit, or adding a decor panel.

If the kitchen style you bought has now been discontinued, you may have difficulty getting matching doors in 600/400mm sized. It could be done by using both the 500mm doors from the unit you take out. Discontinued doors are often found on ebay.

A normal condenser dryer isn't allowed a door infront of it though - is it? I'd check your tumble dryer manual (should be online, if you don't have paper one).

Also can your tumble dryer fit far back enough under the worktop to have a door directly in front of it? Mine can't.

You could potentially take a cupboard out though.

Swap your washing machine for a washer dryer? I have a fabulous Miele one which works really well.

Thank you all!

@MovingThisYearHopefully - this is what i thought too...

@PigletJohn that's really interesting. I am going to speak to a builder friend to see if there is anything we can do before I go with @movings suggestion.

@homeofmyown - good shout I would need to check although it is fairly new but with all the previous issues surrounding these dryers you never know.

@fabulousathome - we had a washer/dryer previously and i didn't get on with it, although it wasn't a miele one

Thank you - i just want my dryer back! why did i ever think id need so many cupboards!!

I get on beautifully with mine, but I don't trouble him very often. He's the only appliance that's coming with when I move even though he's 8.

A free standing tumble dryer is usually a complete cube. A kitchen unit has a recessed plinth. Therefore if you put a freestanding tumble dryer in a run of kitchen units you will see it at the bottom even if you manage to put a door over it somehow.

yes, that's true.

I have some kitchen appliances that stand unashamedly open to view under the worktop, not hidden behind doors. You probably couldn't have a plinth unless it was about level with the door. In the absence of a plinth, the appliance would be better ventilated.

I'll admit I am not one for concealment in the kitchen, even my switches and sockets are nakedly exposed, as are the sink and its taps. You might consider them as essential working parts. Opinions differ.

If it's a condenser dryer, is there anywhere else in the house it would fit?

@PigletJohn I was about to excitedly ask how one would conceal the sink and taps..then realised you were joking