Washer-drier vs. Drier

[Karen99]

I currently only have a washing machine. I'd like to get a Drier but don't have anywhere in the kitchen for it and no laundry room. I've read that you can get "condensing" driers which don't require a vent.

Are condensing driers worth it? They seem to use alot more elec/energy than vented ones. Can you recommend a brand/model? If not a good vented drier?

Are washer-driers worth it? I love my Bosch washing machine and really don't want to replace it unless absolutely necessary... but with the days getting colder and wetter I'm not getting my little ones clothes dry very easily - this hot summer was great for the amount of washing I was doing in the early days! (thinking about it the amounts are still just as large! )

Your thoughts?

We have a condenser drier and agree its worth the extra, as you don't need any venting and can store it anywhere - ours was once in a cupboard. Having a separate drier means you can get through the drudgery of the laundry twice as fast.

The main thing to remember is to empty the water tank each time to prevent flooding - most have a warning mechanism though. I think we just went for the cheapest - not much to go wrong mechanically like a washing machine and it's lasted 6 years so far.

Karen, there was a thread about condensers recently - it's here - it might help you decide!

From what I've heard washer/dryers are more bother than they're worth, will only dry half the load, you can't wash while they're drying and if anything goes wrong you can't use either.

Only thing I would say in favour of a wahser/drier is that you can set it to wash AND dry straight afterwards. So if you go out to work or school run, that load of washing is dried too by the time you get home. Problem as pointed out is that you can't put next load of washing in until you have dried previous one.

btw you can use a vented dryer anywhere too, as long as there's a window to hang the hose out of - they have wheels, so you can store them out of the way and then trundle to the window when you need to use them. Bit draughty in the winter though!

I've been happy with my condenser drier It's a Hotpoint Aquarius and we've had it about 3 years now. The water container only seems to need emptying about every 3 loads. It doesn't flood if it gets full, it simply stops drying (which is lucky!) and it does have a warning light on it.

i have a condenser and a normal drier and I must say I don't think the dcondenser dries as efficiently or well. if you can vent a normal dryer, I'd go for one of those.
washer driers a pain in the bum because you can't do both at once as everyone says. if you ever have a huge pile of washing to get through it will take you DAYS!

I am on my 2nd Zanussi condenser drier. it was very good value from John Lewis, but I'd try empire direct as they seem to be cheap and fast) I find that my ironing is much reduced as things don't seem to get as creased as from when I had an ordinary drier. ( may be coinidence) The light comes on when the water thingy is full and it stops drying.

I had a washer drier and it was useless, I could only do a half load if I wanted it to do the whole cycle, or else take half out. It eventually caught fire and Zanussi replaced it, although 2 years old, and said they didn't think they were very good for families, only ideal for one person living on their own!!

washer/dryers take ages to dry clothes - driers are much better - we have a creda one -works well

we have a washer/dryer (bought pre-child when we did far less laundry and tumble drying was strictly for emergencies) and i agree with what everyone says - they don't take a full load for drying, slow, and laundry tasks are consecutive not parallel. the irony for us is that if we had said upfront when designing the kitchen we wanted both, they could both have been fitted in... now however, changing everything round would be a nightmare!

karen, washer/dryer, noooo! don't do it!

hth

I love my AEG washer/dryer - very quiet and energy efficient. I would say if you've got the space then always go for a separate dryer. If not, washer/dryers are "good enough", in my opinion.

Couldn't live without it now.

I have a Hotpoint washer/drier and I have to say it works very well.

If you have economy 7 lectric then it is an advantage. I put a load in at night (admitedly a small load) to wash and dry, so it's done by morning, all on cheap rate.

We've got a very small kitchen too, so have our dryer on top of the washing machine, fixed with a stacking unit. My BF has just got a condenser dryer and thinks it is wonderful.

To go off at a slight tangent, have you thought about renting rather than buying? Advantages are that if it goes wrong someone fixes it for free and you can 'upgrade' every couple of years!

Also, just want to point out that leaving dryer on when you are out is BAD. All that lovely fluff is very combustable, and I know 2 people who have lost kitchens because of it!

But Sam, the price of renting is ASTRONOMICAL !!!

After a few years you could have bought several washers for the same money. If cash flow is a problem, then there are several low interest deals around right now (not Currys standard rate tho' that's something like 17.9%)

I've had 3 different washing machines in 6 years - 2 Hotpoint and now a Bosch. The amount we pay renting isn't that bad as the more items, the better the deal and we get a washer, a dryer and a fridgefreezer. I would like to buy the fridge though cos they rarely go wrong, but I just think of it like paying insurance with the other two. I seem to do so much washing that it would be hell without them. (I've just been without a stove for 2 weeks after ours blew up, and that was fun!)

I have a washer/dryer and agree with all the negative comments. Don't get one if you can do without. The dryer was forever breaking down so I gave up having it fixed years ago. Plus, when clothes spin during the wash cycle, they stick to teh sides of teh machine and then will dry like this. So come out crusty dry with the indentations of teh machine all over them. The idea of them is great but I so wish I had the space for a separate dryer.

Thanks all for the comments! - missed the other thread, I wonder which one Gem13 went for in the end..

Looks like a washer-drier is definitely out. Hadn't thought about clothes taking the shape of the drum! Plus the other comments just confirmed my original thoughts.

Think we'll go for a vented drier which may just fit in the corner of the kitchen by a window, if not dining room - boy I wish I had a laundry room. Looks like I might be pursuading DH to convert the garage into one next year... if only I could get him to spring clean the damn thing

A condenser is tempting, but a vented one sounds more economical.. will check the blurbs.

I feel a trip to Comet coming on... then a purchase on the web!

Thanks again!

Ive got a wonderful condensing dryer, i dont notice the difference in my bills. Its not a "good" make, it was cheap but its fantastic! Didnt have a dryer until a year ago but you wouldnt know looking at my electricity. Its a Crusader, i know ive never heard of them either.

I have a washer/dryer. I tend only to use the dryer for dd's cloth nappies though. I put a nappy wash on before going to bed and set the dryer to maximum time, hey presto dry nappies when I come down in the morning.
I ocassionally use it if clothes are needed urgently, but generally put them over the clothes horses in the winter/bad weather.