Difference Between Dryers Sold in UK and the Continent.

[spiraclean]

Henrik,

The one I went for was the Grundig GTN38240GC (linked below). More or less the same as the equivalent Beko model, except it comes with a 5 year parts and labour guarantee. Considering this is my first foray into heat pump dryers, and the technology is still reasonably new in relative terms, I thought the longer warranty was a sensible idea. At £360 after discounts, it seemed like a pretty safe bet, and is actually a very nicely built dryer.

This one has the 2-stage foam/mesh filter behind the service flap, which needs cleaning every 5 cycles or so. Doing this each time I have the vacuum out only takes seconds, and so far it appears to be doing a very good job of catching everything because there has been no fluff accumulation whatsoever on the condensing unit. Having heard mixed reviews of some self-cleaning HP dryers, I'm happier knowing I can physically access and see the filter and condenser myself.

http://grundig.co.uk/Item/GTN38240GC

 

[iej]

UK/IRL Plug - BS1363

This is a BS1363 or IS401 plug.

13 amps (max) with an internal fuse (the red device on the front is a fuse carrier).

The pins are part sheathed to prevent contact.

This is the only type of normal domestic plug used in Britain and Ireland and there is no 2-pin version. Every plug has 3 pins. If you get something like a mobile phone charger, they'll often use a dummy plastic ground pin (the larger top one) as it is required to open the shutters on the socket.

It's also the first system to have introduced safety shutters (in the 1940s) and they've been mandatory ever since.

 

[iej]

Ooops!

It didn't attach.

 

[henene4]

@spiraclean

Yeah, those machines are pretty ok. We have Whirlpool build Bauknecht dryer, with a rubber filter between 2 mesh filters. It's a lot to clean, in my opinion, but works ok so far.

I'm still impressed with the AEG ÖkoFlow system.

But enough about that.

Manufacturers usually calculate with a 2A buffer. A usual 10A washer mostly only runs at 8A. A 16A dryer barely touches 13A. Not sure, if its the same for the UK.

 

[spiraclean]

Henrik,

Strongly considered the Whirlpool myself, it too appears to be a nice dryer for the price. The vast majority of reviews for it are overwhelmingly positive as well.

Checked out the AEG offerings while shopping around, and thought the filter was cleverly designed - pretty much impossible to overlook or forget it. Really I don't mind as long as the lint is dry, it beats the horrible task of cleaning soggy wads of fluff out of an ordinary condenser any day!

 

[iej]

@henene4 - Plugged my Miele into a meter.

It draws slightly over 12 Amps when it's heating.

The important thing with any of these kind of high, sustained load devices is that you ensure the socket is in good condition as lose contacts can cause overheating.

Also, the plug should really be left permanently plugged in to avoid loosening the contacts with use.

The sockets here generally have isolating switches so it's quite easy to do that.

 

[combo52]

Miele and Bosch Condenser Dryers

I think that these two companies are making a big mistake selling only air-cooled condenser dryers in the US. Almost every home has a vent system here, and most of the US uses a lot of air-conditioning so it makes little sense to not only put that much heat into the house and have the dryer using 25% more power to dry clothing as a vented dryer in the first place.

 

But you have to remember that these two companies together probably comprise less than 1/4% of the US laundry market, LOL, and it is probably getting to be an even smaller share as people have spread the word about reliability problems and lack of any decent service for these brands.

 

[foraloysius]

It's a matter of time that these dryers will be phased out and be replaced by heatpump dryers.

 

[spiraclean]

IIRC, in Switzerland HP is the only option now. Although it could be said this is restricting choice, the upside is that increased uptake will likely result in prices coming down and the technology improving over time.

 

[foraloysius]

Yes, odd though, I believe electricity in Switzerland is rather cheap due to hydropower being widely available.