Random Musings On The LavaTherm Dryer

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Been There And Done That.

Per comment up thread have the condenser compartment a good going over whilst the unit was out and waiting to dry. Am going to see if one can find something like those brushes Frigidaire sold for cleaning their condenser dryers. This would help both for the compartment and unit itself.

One says this because noticed that even with the strongest force of water often lint/gunk congeals inside the condenser and simply won't shift easily. Am thinking a good brushing first to remove a bulk of the lint, then washing might prove beneficial. Maybe using the dust attachment on vacuum is an idea as well.
 
Another Day Another Load, Not Overly Impressed

Did four sheets last night and still say my compact Whirlpool does a better job and faster than the Lavatherm.

For one thing even with all the reversing sheets still bunched up into a ball. You can tell this by hearing the tell tale "thump, thump, thump" one heard so often in the Whirlpool. If the thing goes on long enough and even with reverses won't untangle there is no solution for it; the door must be opened, items removed, untangled/fluffed, then returned to dryer. Well once you do this you might as well go back to starting over because all the heat has escaped and the dryer goes from say "39mins remaining" to 60 or so on the display.

Cotton sateen sheets dried in the AEG are smoother and softer than with Whirlpool or even Laundromat gas driers. Indeed one could almost just hang them up to air so remaining moisture can evaporate and once dry fold and put away, no ironing required.

"Machine Iron" setting though according to the manual is supposed to be for sheets, obviously Germans didn't consider heavy cotton sateen. Things come out too moist and either must be hung to dry or returned for further drying. The "Hand Iron" or even "Cupboard Dry" settings seemed to do a better job. However this means drying for >one hour.

Hot and humid weather is forecast to return to NYC this week so probably won't get to play around with the AEG until after the middle of September or into October when cool and dry Fall weather arrives in earnest.
 
Some thoughts

Yes, the dust attachment is my weapon of choice, too.

Whenever I opened the service/cleaning door to the condenser on our previous Lux, it would actually speed up the drying cycle, as lots of steam came blowing out of the unit. Since condenser dryers can evaporate moisture faster then condense it, any steam that would leave the system made the cycle faster. As a matter of fact, steam only blew out for ten or so seconds and then only warm and slighty humid air as all the humidity that was "stuck" in the system had escaped. OTOH, this excess steam is probably what makes your sheets soft.

If all fails, I'd take the condenser to a car wash and have someone have a (careful) go at it with a pressure washer. Better than having it look like this:

(c) gutefrage.net/frage/aeg-lavatherm-trockner

logixx++8-19-2013-21-22-8.jpg
 
Ewwwwwww!

While not early as nasty mine was not far from what you see in that photo. Happily it scrubbed up well and now the thing is to keep it that way.

Am leery of doing anything that might damage the condenser unit as one assumes the cost of a replacement from AEG Canada probably equals half or more of a new machine. *LOL*

Don't know if there is a "service" door on my unit. This is a plinth that is snapped off and on to get at the condenser unit, but that is all.

Wondered if placing a tray of ice before the bottom of the unit where air is drawn in would make a difference. It didn't. *LOL*

One can only wait for weather to change and temps go <40F to see if things change. Really cannot see how anyone not living in cool to cold climate would or could use these sort of dryers year round. Basically the only thing to cool the moist air inside the dryer is cold and dry air being sucked over the condenser unit.

Here is one poor soul in NYC dealing with condenser dryers:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/laundry/msg051026331355.html
 
I run my Miele with the condenser out and all covers off, it just vents straight into the room which is usual for a dryer over here.

Ihad a few experiences in summer where it'd run for 3 plus hours and still be very wet and steamy inside.

These days, with it open to the air, a full load is dried in about 90mins.
 
4 sheets? or 3 sheets?

Launderess Im not surprised they are balling up if your only drying just sheets.

One needs to get out the mindset that sheets are washed on one load towels in another clothing in yet another etc.

Im quite sure the washer manual states to mix large items with small and thus the load transferred to any dryer would also be a mix.

Loads here in europe would and should be sorted by fabric type, colour, then soil.
Garment 'SHAPES' dont come into the equation at all.

If one has white cottons towels and sheets with an assortment of white undergarments, dishtowels, shirts, then one would wash this in the load together mixed up.

Once in the dryer the smaller garments stop the large items balling up. Dont be afraid to fill that dryer with whatever the matching machine can hold.

And dont be afraid to let that sensor work it out and tell you when the machine is finished.
 
"<a name="start_47957.697628">Really cannot see how anyone not living in cool to cold climate would or could use these sort of dryers year round."</a>

 

Well that isn't what they are designed for, they're aimed at the European market, where they are only really used during cold/wet weather, mainly in the temperate countries of North West Europe, most of the world line dries when weather permits.

 

I say pack it full and let it do it's thing, a small load will take proportionately more time than a large load, so it works out cheaper and more economical as well as faster in the long run.

 

Bear in mind the whole reason these dryers came to be is that renters (There are Countries in Europe where far more people rent their homes rather than own them) or households where the dryer cannot be positioned against an outside wall or near a window cannot use a vented dryer, they are not necessarily designed to be as quick or efficient as one, they exist to provide a solution to what could otherwise be a problem.

 

Matt

 




[this post was last edited: 8/20/2013-11:57]
 
Dryer use

Rob and Matt, I don't know about you, but my Mum always did this and it's something I always saw sense in doing.

I don't tumble dryer everything. Even in wet/cold weather. I never tumble dry jeans, t-shirts or jumpers. If the weather means having to hang them on an airer in the house, I will.

When I'm using the dryer, I often take things out of each cycle that will tumble dry and will make 1 large drying load from several wash loads. We've always done it and it means less dryer usage and less electricity used.
 
Thanks for the feedback all,

Normally one would do all bed linens in one load, pillow slips and sheets; however this time that is all there was (sheets) and that was that. Suppose could have rummaged around to find other white garments to put in the same load but that would have created several problems. One the Miele's capacity is about four king sized sateen sheets. To place anything else inside would mean one or more of the sheets would have to come out. That in turn means turning one load into two. Again had there been some pillow slips one could see and would have done things that way by necessity.

Next tend to use rather less powerful detergents from my stash on bed linens since they aren't grossly filthy. Can even get by with various vintage "non-bio" detergents and or modern stuff like "Linen Wash". Also have a nice stash of various French lessives pour linge such as Persil Savon de Marseille that one loves for linens.

Leaving the condenser unit out is not on for this AEG dryer. Given the amount of fluff found inside the unit and it's compartment the mind reels at the lint this dryer would spew all over one's home. IIRC Miele condenser dryers are much better at filtration than this Lavatherm.

Will see how things go once winter weather arrives in earnest. Went to local hardware store yesterday and collected a longer vent hose for the Whirlpool. Soon as that is fitted can go back to using the vented dryer for the duration.
 
My Bosch, infamous for rolling things into a ball, will handle bed linens just fine <span style="text-decoration: underline;">unless</span> they're lightweight material like microfiber. These will ball up straight away. Probably what happened in the Lavatherm as well.

 
 
By George, I Think I've Got It

Yesterday was a nice sunny but temperate day so did some wash in the AEG as part of a bit of Sunday house cleaning. First one must say have to note when the hamper is filling up in that this particular load gave a "120%" message from the Lavamat. This probably was because the bulk of the wash was thick and thirsty terry toweling and wash cloths. Indeed the reason one went for the AEG instead of Miele was wanted to get the whole lot done in one go. With the Miele the load would have had to be split as it really does not do heavy towel loads well. Find best to load the unit about half or three-quarters full otherwise the weight of saturated towels/wash cloths causes all sort of problems. You can often literally hear the drum hitting the bottom of the machine during the rinses when eleven gallons of water is used.

Being as all this may the Lavamat load once wetted down barely was 3/4 up the window but still am not going to take chances knackering the bearings and motor brushes.

Anyway wanted to dry the lot in the Whirlpool as one previously swore off the Lavatherm until cool to cold weather arrived in earnest, but again the dryer gods conspired against that happening. After trying for over an hour could not fit the newly purchased (yes another one) semi-ridged dryer hose to fit the WP portable. Was nearly impossible to get the hose onto the vent and screw the clamp on tight enough to it would remain. Each time one tugged on the hose to place it into the window outlet, it came off. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

So away went the Miele and out the AEG. Split the wash load between bath linens and garments with the latter going first. Set the thing for "cupboard dry" and that was that. Decided to take a nap and was awoken about an hour or so later by the chirping of the dryer telling me it was done. Washing came out warm and slightly damp but once it was in the basket and folding began everything was dry.

Next came the toweling which already had air dried quite a bit awaiting it's turn in the Lavatherm. Set the dryer for "cupboard dry" again but also used the "quick" button. More napping and again awoken an hour or so later by the dryer saying it was done. Once again things were "moist" and warm but once taken out of the dryer and left in basket for folding things were dry.

Cannot say exactly how long each cycle took as was busy napping. Each cycle starts with a set time but the display changes often based upon what the sensors tell the dryer. So things may say "73mins) to start but if one comes back say in ten minutes that number has dropped down to 58mins.

Still no water to empty out of the container, but one isn't worried. Suppose spinning these loads either in the spin dryer or using the 1800rpms of the AEG means there isn't allot of water left in laundry.
 
Checked the drain port when the condenser was cleaned

Nothing, indeed made sure if it whilst cleaning the condenser compartment.

One can again only assume between using the max (1800rpm) spin on the AEG, and or several minutes in spin drier (3200rpms), there is not allot of water to drain away. This along with it being either temperate to only slightly cool when using the dryer could affect the amount of water being pumped away.

Suppose one could spin water laden towels at <900rpms to see what there is, but that would place more energy use on the dryer one's electric bill as well. *LOL*.
 
Oh Launderess, there should be some water to empty in the container after that. I certainly can't do 2 loads in the Lavatherm without emptying. Do check for a leak or some peeking around. If the load was half with only polyester I could understand very little water, but towels; no.
 
I've Got Nothing

Shoved dryer away from wall and nothing seems amiss behind or underneath. There was a small spot of powdery dried something, but it wasn't on the side of the dryer where pump is located nor large enough to suggest any sort of vast leak. Blew down the drain hose that can be used if one redirects water from the drawer and heard nothing but a whistle. That sound went up into the drawer area and also down towards condenser.

Again pulled out the condenser unit and the compartment is clean with nothing blocking the drain areas.

For the wash done this weekend only the Lavamat was filled to capacity (about 20% over if the machine's sensors are accurate), but for drying load was split into garments (vests, under garments, socks, night clothing, etc..) and bath linen. Do not know how long the first load (garments)took as one took a nap, but by the time one awoke to place second (bath linen) they had pretty much mostly dried from sitting in the basket.

Being as all this may will shoot off an inquiry to AEG Canada to see if one should be concerned. One is still going on one's personal theory that since so far every load that has gone into dryer has been spun to death, and that weather has not been very cold/dry there just isn't that much condensation going on. Could be wrong for lord knows the AC creates plenty of water, but that is an active system versus the passive of the Lavatherm.

Know from various Internet posts this particular model of dryer has been known to play up. Usually this takes the form of the "empty water" signal coming on even when drawer is empty. So far we've had none of that. Suppose one could send things to the dryer from the Miele washer (final spin only 900rpms) or use a lower setting on the AEG Lavamat to see if more water is "evaporated" into the drawer, but at what cost to one's electric? As it tis this thing takes longer to dry a load than my Whirlpool vented and aren't looking forward to increasing that time by putting in sopping wet laundry.[this post was last edited: 8/27/2013-21:49]
 
If:

If the machine drying loads just fine, and there is no evidence for leaks I wouldn't bother calling AEG Service. Whilst I am uneducated about these "things," provided nothing is running amiss during the cycle, you should be fine. Perhaps your house is dry enough that condensed water simply evaporates into the air, or the machine is pumping the water out like you suggested.

Just keep an eye on the machine for the next few loads. I wouldn't even try testing it's capability. Electricity is too expensive for that these days!
 
Thing Is If There Is Some Sort Of Water Buliding Up

Inside the dryer surely it would have caused sensors to react by now. Am referring to the infamous "empty water" messages and subsequent shutdown of the dryer if it senses water is backed up and or tank is "full".

Getting at the pump means at least taking top and one side panel off the unit, am not sure want to go poking around inside unless purely warranted. Again will contact AEG Canada in the morning to see if there is cause for concern.
 
Problem Found

At least one thinks has sorted things out.

Look at he vid of a Lavatherm being taken apart for cleaning. At the rear you can see there is a small black connector leading off the white hose from the drain pump to the condenser compartment "nipple". Ours is not like that at all. The hose simply sits as is. If this is the case no wonder water isn't reaching the condenser drawer as it cannot be pumped into anything.

Dryer was sold and arrived this way so am not sure what happened to the bit and or what previous owners arranged.

 

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