Tumble Dryer - Condenser or Vented

[TwoToTango]

is there much difference in performance. I am looking to buy a tumble dryer, I remember someone telling me a condenser one was best but I can't remember why. These seem a lot more expensive - any tips or recommendations would be appreciated.

is it the thing which catches the water? ours is pristine, if that's the case...
roger wilko on the ready brek, hub. still dd's favourite snack... still makes me retch a little every time i serve it up.

LOL @ your retch. I always force myself to have a tiny bit to keep her company and persuade her it's a really nice thing to eat... but, yep, she does love it ! Have you made one with raisins ? YUMMY. Ready Brek btw is a compltely foul wallpaper paste consistency. Not a nice thing to eat IMHO.

Re: tumble dryer - Actually I don't think it's the same unit as the thing which catches water. It's comprised of layer upon layer of metal mesh upon which the water condenses.

yes, as i pressed 'post' on that last message i thought 'of course that can't be the right thing' but unfortunately no delete button on mumsnet. ours is on a shelf above the washing machins so i will abandon all regards for health and safety and stand on a stool to root about for my condenser.

have not tried raisins yet, principally because i add a spoon of formula to it. it's aptamil that we use so i think that the dried fruit/fish oil combo would send me over the edge, boak-wise.

DD grabbed a friend's home-made fruit cake and ate loads (it's actually v healthy) so have taken recipe, will experiment this week and report back. i mention this to prove that i have no beef with mixed fruit per se...

The different performance between vented and condensed is purely down to the efficiency of the condensor. If the condensor can't extra all the moisture out of the air before reusing it (either directly or indirectly via the room), it MUST take longer than the equivalant vented dryer.
Thus, for cheaper brands, vented will always be better (since there is only a tiny budget to spend on the condenser), whilst for more expensive brands, condensers are likely to be as effective as vented, but cost more.
Summary: if you can go vented, do so. It you can't: expect to pay more and probably have less efficient drying.

I think whether condenser tumble dryers work better than vented ones very much depends on the brand and how much u pay. Normally u get what u pay for lol! I have always used a vented one til now (my dear old 12 year old Creda is waaaaay past retirement) but due to the lack of choice (wanted better than a C efficiency rating but also a silver one which is a very rare combination it seems) I have had no choice but to go for a condenser type dryer. From what I can see so far, it should actually dry quicker.

Also to note.., I went into a large electrical store and altho the washing machine I wanted was already reduced by £170, I did the 'don't get done, get Dom' thing and asked if I bought a tumble dryer too, could they do me a deal? He took another £100 off. However, I have looked online and reduced the price by yet another £175 lol. AND there is another bonus, no extended yawn bashing convo's on why I really MUST buy their warranty which i don't need and is always vastly over priced lol.

Our Bosch condenser is brilliant, dries quickly (has 3 diff types of dryness), huge drum, good energy rating and best of all lives out in the garage (blurb said it could).

Can I just ask - can you have a vented dryer in the garage with the hose not leading outside - just into the garage? We don't use our garage for anything but storage (too narrow for car!) so Im not sure if it matters?

i prefer condensor dryers-just don't buy a hoover one! i had a whirlpool one that was excellent...and got away with no ironing when clothes were folded/hung-up straight away ;)

and with 10 people to wash and dry for..i am the laundry fairy ;)

(name change coming on i reakon)..lol

I'm happy with my condenser dryer but find cleaning out the heat exchanger rather tricky. Does anyone have any tips?

www.sust-it.net/energy_saving.php?id=41

Thought this might be helpful

I am just on the point of buying a vented tumble dryer, white knight seems a good reasonable one any recommendations?

Btw have had a condenser dryer and really didn't get on with it, damp clothes after being in there hours.

Good thread :)