Recommendations for new tumble dryer? (UK)

[cakewalker]

Just wondering if anyone has any advice on good buys before I sink my hard-earned cash into one I'm looking for a condenser machine, not especially bothered about having one that's super capacious or laden with features. The dryer is going in a garage (for the time being) so can't be a heat-pump condenser - the manufacturer websites state they don't like the cold.

We've signed up for a Which? trial to see what they have to say on them but their ratings seem to be biased a bit too much towards efficiency - we're keen to have the most efficient machine we can afford but the Miele at the top of their list is over £1,000 which is more than we can justify spending on something we're likely to only use in the colder months. I'm not that keen on AEG, Zanussi, Creda, Hotpoint or Hoover on the basis of past experience (generally - we've not had that many dryers!) or Indesit judging by Which? tests.

Does anyone know if Bosch's dryers are any good? Which? seems to think they're OK and past experience of Bosch stuff has been OK. They've a few condenser machines around £4~500 which is tolerable. Is Bosch's engineering a step up from the cheapest machines or is the german engineering thing just marketing? Also, how worthwhile is it having a machine that reverses? The Bosch dryers in that price range don't. I think it's necessary to spend £540ish to get one that does.

Thanks for any advice!
Chris

 

[logixx]

None of the Bosch dryers reverse - that feature was dropped years ago. It's okay unless you dry small to medium loads of large and light-weight (think sheets). Two sets of heavy cotton bed linens -> no problem, three sets of microfibre bed linens -> rolled into a rope withing minutes.

 

[ronhic]

Beko

Condenser dryers score basically the same as Bosch, have the same reliability rating AND are 2/3 the price...

They also dry faster....

According to Which?

 

[matthewza]

I'd go for an LG or bosch. I have a vented LG and it works like a bomb. Reliablility on bosch is also very good and worth what you pay for them

 

[hoover1100]

Hi Chris

Based on what I've seen and heard I would definitely have a close look at Beko dryers, excellent value for money and having had one of their washers for a while it was equally excellent and affordable!

Btw, the Hotpoint dryer I took off your hands is absolutely fantastic, just needed a bit of lubtication, a good clean out and a new hose!

Matt

 

[aegokocarat]

I highly recomend Gorenje

 

[nrones]

Beko

I would say think about Beko aswell...reviews are all over 4.5 out of 5, and price is more than great aswell

Dex

 

[aquacycle]

I'd most definitely recommend Beko. My sister has one and she loves it. Nice, solid dryers, not too expensive and high performing, and the new models are all B energy rated.

 

[vacbear58]

Beko for me

I suggest you have a look at teh recent thread on the link - this is for a Beko heat pump drier, a bit more expensive but worth it

Please reccomend a decent but affordable condenser dryer

Needs to be about the £200 mark, have been looking at the Beko models as they come out with good reviews: Seen this one: http://www.ultimate-appliances.co.uk/beko-dcu8230-condenser-tumble-dryer-white.html Would love the heat pump model...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[vacbear58]

And my own thread

Slightly earlier, on the link

Beko Heat Pump Dryer

As the weather has been so wet over the last few months and there are now two of us in "Cassa Kerr" creating laundry, I read recent threads about heat pump dryers with interest, thinking maybe it was time to consider replacing my 10 year old and not particularly efficient Hotpoint condensor...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[cakewalker]

Thanks for the suggestions I'll have a look at Gorenje (hadn't heard of them before) and Beko. I have to admit I'd ignored the latter when I was looking - I'd been put off the brand by the amount there has been in the news about their self-igniting fridges. Judging by articles in Which about these things they seem to have a better attitude to sorting out safety problems than some other manufacturers, though.

I hadn't realised none of the Bosch dryers reverse, I must have read the specifications wrong. It seems a fairly basic thing to leave out? I don't understand how they can work efficiently if they tend to roll everything up into a ball. It'd be a nuisance if we can't dry bedding in it - that's the one thing that's completely impractical to hang indoors.

Matt - glad you're happy with the old dryer, it's good to see it go to an appreciative home.

 

[richardc1983]

Deffo another vote for the Beko Machines

They are brilliant dryers for the price and if you dont want the heat pump the standard condensers get good reviews.

I was going to get one of them but ended up with their heat pump version which you say you cant use in the garage so still look at the other beko condensers.

 

[dj-gabriele]

Gorenje machines have both my thumbs up!
Very good performance for the price and built quite good!

 

[aegokocarat]

This is the Gorenje dryer I have, its fantastic and its very very quick for a condenser.
Tom

http://www.powerdirect.co.uk/product/GORENJE-Tumble-Dryer-Condenser-8kg-White-D82426?gclid=CN3OicCnh7YCFc3HtAodXlEAFQ

 

[paulc]

Tom

Do you know what the "energy saving heater " entails?

 

[optima]

Dryer recommendations

Have you ever heard of Montpellier vented & condenser sensor dryers, cheap & really well made. We have sold loads of them.

 

[aegokocarat]

Paul, I think the energy saving heater works by drawing in less energy, its lower watted I think too.
It also has steam cycles which are very handy, it usually takes an hour and a half to dry most loads and roughly 45 minutes for smaller loads, the sensor is very accurate and it streatches nearly the full rim of the drum.
I will get some photos of the dryer if anyone is interested.
Tom