Tumble Dryers

[aquacycle]

I don't ever remember not owning a tumble dryer. My Mum got her first dryer in 1979 and we've had one ever since. I'd be totally lost without it. I rarely use the dryer for clothes - it's mostly for bedding and towels and things that take up a lot of space to dry in the house when it's wet outside.

A few things to consider:

Condenser dryers are more convenient as they can be placed anywhere, but they take a lot longer than a vented dryer and require more maintenance.

Single direction dryers have a habbit of tangling up large items like towels and bed sheets.

White Knight dryers may be made in Britain, but the newer models are notorious for bearing failure and they no longer reverse like other conventional multi-direction dryers. Indesit and Hotpoint basic vented dryers are far more reliable and also still made in the UK at the old Hotpoint plant.

 

[foraloysius]

That Speed Queen dryer draws 21 Amps, so more than the normal 13 Amps in the UK. So the seller is right about the dryer needs to be hard wired.

 

[liberatordeluxe]

Thanks for all the helpful links KenmoreGuy and Laundress. Have plenty to read and make an informed decision.

 

[liberatordeluxe]

Ok Chris ill bear that in mind. Like yourself I would only be using it for sheets and towels mainly. Would it be best to go for a full size one or would a compact model be ok? I never thought about the reverse tumble but I guess it makes sense to have.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Hard wiring a dryer.....well, there're a few school of thought about it, in the USA things changes than europe and UK and you actually are  generally *never* required to hard wire a dryer to a 240 volt hook up, they're generally already predisposed for dryers or stoves and so  wires are already large enough, so the same way plugs and oulets are  meant to  support it...
Hard wiring  it's  always recomended  in europe even if not *always* needed, this also and mosyly because some houses may have  too small wires  going to a plug,  especially old homes, so  hard wiring   is reccomended also to make sure the wires are big enough...
but  as said   this is not *always* necessary as long as you use a good plug and you're sure wires can support such absorbition...even  slightly  underrated household  plugs may be fine   but hey have to be good ones....otherwise you can opt to have installed a 220/240 volt industrial outlet..

http://dolnoslaskie.all.biz/it/prese-e-spine-di-corrente-industriali-g158730

I have seen a bunch of these dryers hooked up with simple schucko plugs over here in Italy, and as far as I know they worked fine... in one case  I also seen one  adapted to normal italian outlets ( the large pins outlets) with adaptors from 240 volt household hook-up to industrial one: http://www.bsmacchine.it/product_in...RE SPINA PRESA INDUSTRIALE UNIVERSALE 1140006<<

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http://www.shopmania.it/componenti-elettrici-ed-elettronici/p-adattatore-da-spina-civile-presa-industriale-29658056

 

That was a church community near here that had it for the youth dorm/summer camp self  service laundry... I find italian plugs to be better than european standard schucko, they allows more absorbiton..
Anyway....
Now, since UK plugs do have an internal built-in fuse in the plugs,  if fuse is old or very delicate may easily blown with a 5000 absorbition, you'd have to change  it to a 18- 20 A one at least to ensure it will last the wattage (4800 watt) it will never blown for the 200-300 watts more...  but likely a delicate 13 A would blown..
Uk plug fins are well more large and could support the absorbiton way more easily... this differently than europe where some bad shucko can actually over-heat and melt.... but in case of UK is more a matter of plug built-in fuse and house wirings than plug itself..
Of course is advisable to hard wire... you'll have to verify it yourself if it's the case or not...

 

[foraloysius]

The plugs are not the biggest problem, but the typical British ring system house wiring is very different than how we do it in the rest of Europe. It's better to leave this to a British electrician than follow advice from anyone from abroad.

 

[hoover1100]

Tumble dryers

Yes they are very useful in the damp winter months, definitely get a full size and definitely get one with reverse action.

 

It will probably cost you around 30-40p per load in electricity, so best to use them sparingly, but as you say for sheets and towels they certainly come in handy!

 

A good sensor dryer used properly can be very handy, but a timed model will suit most people just fine.

 

I'm sure U.S. style dryers are lovely, but you'd be incredibly fortunate to have a house large enough to fit one in in the first place (most people I know struggle to squeeze a standard size dryer in) and they will not run on a standard UK domestic circuit (which is limited to 13A, 3.1kw) so you would need special wiring for it, such as an electric cooker outlet.

 

I have never used a gas dryer but like the sound of them, as natural gas is 1/3 the price of electricity, however most people are reluctant to install a permanent vent for their dryer over here, let alone have a gas line specially run to it.

 

Personally, as much as it pains me to say it, if you are looking for brand new I would probably recommend a basic Hotpoint or Indesit full size vented model.

 

Matt

 

[liberatordeluxe]

Thanks Matt. Not too expensive to use really.

 

[paulc]

If you want a cheap no frills vented dryer I can recommend Indesit. I've had my IDV65 for over a year now. It's fast (most loads done in an hour tops), quiet with reasonable build quality. I like the fact it has a real glass door.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

The plugs are not the biggest problem, but the typical Briti

Yes...... of course...that's why I said  it as well  if you read carefully, is not a matter of plugs mosltly, but  rather of their fuses and of course house wiring...
This statement is clear:
"<a name="start_48458.702296">but in case of UK is more a matter of plug built-in fuse and house wiring than plug itself.".....</a>

You better ask to an electrician,  especially if you're not particularly inclined about electric .....this is worldwide, not UK only..same thing would be for "our wiring" as you call it..if your circuit can't stand such absorbition you simply can't connect a 5000 watt dryer and ask for  it to work properly (and some circuits you find over here absolutely could not support it as they have too thinny wires)...not to mention if in your crcuit you've already connected a dishwasher or oven without having the slighest idea of it,  this would result in catastrophe if  the circuit safe fuse if present would not work as it should... BTW, over here generally there're not separate  fuses for each circuits like elsewhere...so it's really dangerous...
Mine was not to be meant as an advice,  just to clear things up...never gave one, just said facts..
If you would hook up a  5000 watts dryer to your regular outlet in UK you'd likely get your UK  plug  fuse blown firts and in the likely case your wiring isn't already much appropriated so underrated for the circuit that is ( example: wiring rated 2000-2200 watts used for 3000 watt circuits, thing  that over here I've heard was usual in homes built "looking at saving", like in our attic in the condo in front of the street, thing that  our electrician said  in 60s and 70s they all did in Italy)  you could get serious damages on your electric plant, and a fire hazard.... at best you'd need to change your circuit fuse if you have one, or re-do the circuit inside the walls....at worse you'd get a fire...
So better point it out ... you need to be careful on what you do, you need to know what you do...as for everything...

 

[whirlcool]

That Speed Queen dryer draws 21 Amps, so more than the normal 13 Amps in the UK. So the seller is right about the dryer needs to be hard wired.

And you know this is correct because?????????

The plugs are not the biggest problem, but the typical British ring system house wiring is very different than how we do it in the rest of Europe. It's better to leave this to a British electrician than follow advice from anyone from abroad.

Since when did the Netherlands become part of the UK?

It is assumed that the OP's home has a heavy duty outlet for dryers. Or do they not?

 

[hydralique]

Since the OP noted he was going to put the dryer on a porch I'd assume he doesn't have dedicated outlet there. Presumably the porch roof is long enough to keep the dryer out of the rain and allow safe operation. If there is no outlet there now it probably isn't much more expensive to install a high-amperage outlet than a normal one, though an electrician might not want to put that sort of outlet in an exterior location even if it is roofed.

 

[seamusuk]

Dedicated outlet for dryers??

In a word no we don't. The 13A socket is universal and designed for anything from a table lamp to a Euro type washing machine/dryer. Anything above 3.2kw requires a fixed dedicated radial type circuit. These are normally 25A for dryers and 32A/40A for cookers/showers. These are normally hardwired although the Blue round Euro plugs/sockets can be used...
Seamus

 

[seamusuk]

Running costs...

Remember UK guys the simplest way to minimise running costs is to make sure you dry on cheap rate power if you have it- I pay just short of 15p/KWH but this drops to less than 6.5p/KWH off peak(12.30-7.30AM or 1.30=8.30AM during BST). My Miele heat pump uses around 2kwh for a full load so its a worthwile saving!
Seamus

 

[whirlcool]

Unless some UK code requires dryers to be hard wired.

is what I said in my original posting.

The plugs are not the biggest problem, but the typical British ring system house wiring is very different than how we do it in the rest of Europe. It's better to leave this to a British electrician than follow advice from anyone from abroad.

Always follow your local codes and you should be safe.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Allen, sorry, I'm not sure I can get the sense of the your statement about Netherlands.....

Anyway, for the "question" about heavy duty outlets in UK..... I think he started from the premise that one was not available.
In the USA  you can find a heavy duty outlets in kitchen (stoves) and in laundry spaces,  or areas that once were used as..
From what I know "heavy duty" outlets in the UK are usually found in kitchens only just for the stove or large appliances, most of the times stoves are hard wired with a special switch just for them next to ktchen service outlet/s serviced with special  high wattage wirings....  but I think that you could easily make  a heavy duty outlet wiring without many troubles and expenses...industrial plug or heavy duty for cookers that is can be also used..you could even buy a US heavy duty one and install it.

 

http://www.pennylaneelectrical.co.uk/click-45-amp-cooker-outlet-socket-with-neons-p-849.html

The seller also started from the premise that a heavy duty outler was not available (not common in UK) so he just mentioned hard wiring as they do for stoves....

[this post was last edited: 9/9/2013-19:19]

 

[hydralique]

Ultimately the question about outlets is not particularly consequential as hardwiring an appliance to a box isn't difficult or expensive. What is important is whether or not adequate power can be brought to the porch easily. I'm not familiar with UK ring circuits, but at some point the power has to come from the panel and so the main problem is running new wiring from the panel to the porch. If a normal 13A outlet exists on the porch then it would make sense for the OP to look for a lower wattage dryer given that he doesn't intend to use it frequently, unless that circuit is already heavily loaded.

 

Vented tumble dryers are pretty simple devices. If it were me and I intended only occasional use I'd look for a local used appliance store and see what they could supply with a warranty.

 

[launderess]

I'll Do It, But I'll Probably Hate Myself In the Mor

*LOL*

As one who owns several European appliances with heaters (Pfaff ironer, AEG W&D set, etc....) am here to remind Americans that appliances that would normally require special outlets here in the States, do not on the other side of the pond.

We are one of the few major Western nation that has an "old" domestic power system largely of 120v for appliances. The odd exceptions being for appliances such as electric ovens, ranges, dryers, and so forth. The rest of the world runs on 208V-240V power which means a single outlet will provide more with no special wiring.

My Pfaff ironer pulls 3.2kW when the steam function is engaged and can simply be plugged into any outlet in the EU. The directions for Miele 890 ironer which was sold in both EU and USA gives directions for hardwiring or attaching a plug. Indeed one sees that often in installation/owner's manuals for European appliances; that the thing comes with a cord but no plug leaving new owner free to choose which method they wish to use.

Most EU laundry appliances one has seen require between 13amps to 20amps at 208v-240v power.

To many Americans most European tumble dryers are "under powered" with total electrical draw of usually at or just under 3kW, with usually heaters of 2600w or so of power. But for Europeans this is grand because it means the thing can go anywhere a normal outlet is to be had.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

I'm not used with ring wiring system either... my understanding is that if you let pass two large L and N wires  separately connected to the the main source/wires where ring system  is connected to (30 amp??)  through the holes already existent for the ring system  you could create a heavy duty outlet near another normal already existent and just connect the ground to  the wire servicing  all the others "ring system" regular outlets...
You could do this also on the other side of the wall in the outside (patio, porch), but you'd need a little carpentry job...or at least a little drill  hole to let pass the wires and then make a heavy duty outlet screwed to the external wall...

All this if  the ring system tunnel/hole in walls is big enough to have those two large L &N big wires inside also...

I think  would be very useful to have a heavy duty outlet outside anyways...if someday you want to make a wash in outside at least you can have two machines heating at same time, not deciding turns for the one that has to heat the water first! LOL Jokes a part.... in the summer you could hook up lots of things and run a big party there...without having the risk the power fail for that outlet...would be nice..no??
Maybe I make the technical thing of making a new heavy duty outlet too simple.....but I'm not an electrician, not british and used with ring systems so can't really tell... I just guess..and wonder...

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Voltage differences...
I remember these things from a documentary I watched time ago, not sure if I remember it correctly but that's what I remember:

In the USA it was a choice to deliver lower voltage for household use and  illumination (initially) and it was  made to solve the problem of people  dying elettroshocked due to bad wires  insulations of the early times of electricity  both external and internal ones....so it was a safety choiche, lower voltage meant less hazardousness
While in Europe for some reasons they  didn't care much of elettroshocked  people and they went ahead with higher voltage...
Then I also remember a few things about a stance taken by Tesla if I remember right and Edison about what voltage was the better...so for personal pride they just kept their own ideas and so different voltage in the two continents even if i a standardization would have brought considerable advantages....  substantially Edison said FY to Tesla and Tesla the same to Edison...
So things went ahead and they  never decided to standardize the things for the two countries....then later of course it was too late to fix things up...
I'm sure both the voltages have their own postives and negatives aspects respectively....so personally I can't really tell what I prefer of the two....