What's a condenser dryer and how to clean it? (VIDEO)

[logixx]

Hi y'all!

Since I see questions popping up on here every now and then regarding the maintenance of condenser dryers, I decided to make a video of how I clean our dryer. It's a Electrolux condenser dryer - 6 years old.

The first part of the vid shows how to clean the filters and empty the condensed water tank (regular maintenance). The second part is how to clean the condenser unit, which needs to be done monthly at the most. The third part is partially disassembling the unit to clean it out.

Any questions are welcome!

Alex

 

[kenmore81]

Cool

Informative too. How often do you have to dissasemble it in the back for cleaning? I was considering a condenser dryer but im not sure I like the idea of the lint build-up on the heater coils like that,kida scarry no?The electric dryers we have here the lint doesn't build on the coils themselves just on the outside of the heater box.

 

[bellalaundry]

Nice Video...

Was that a lovely German Vorwerk that you were using to clean the lint away?

Guy

 

[dubstar85]

Facinating!

I have the same dryer. Well almost, I have the Zanussi/ Electrolux TCE7227. I find it pretty nifty! I have had it for two years and have deep cleaned it once 6 months ago. I never thought to take off the back, I just got to all the parts I could from the condenser door. Is it pretty easy to take apart? I might give it a shot - feeling a bit guilty after watching your video! Plus should probably get it done for winter... have a feeling it will be on more often than not.

Attached a picture and a link to the instruction manual.

David

http://www.serviceforce.co.uk/pdfs/U29422.pdf

 

[laundromat]

Asko

These units look like Asko's from Sweeden.

 

[favorit]

are you sure ??

nothing to do with, except dimensions, that in europe are standard W=60/D=60/H=85 centimetres. Check :

イチモツLab | イケオジの嗜み

40代に突入し体の衰えを感じ始める世代かもしれません。ただ、私はここからより高みを目指していきたい。そんな元気が出るサイトを作りたいですね。

www.askousa.com

 

[ronhic]

Nahhh...

...nothing at all like an ASKO....

 

[logixx]

I'll get back to everyone tomorrow - more pics included.

Alex

 

[logixx]

I was considering a condenser dryer but im not sure I like the idea of the lint build-up on the heater coils like that, kida scarry no?

The lint build-up wasn't really too heavy. Considering I cleaned the heater one year ago - that's approx. 310 hours of drying - there was only a little bit of lint on the first row of coils. Should excessive build-up occur, two safety thermostats would cut off power to it anyway. If one looks at it from this perspective it is safer than a vented dryer's duct where a fire can start with no shut-off device interacting.

Was that a lovely German Vorwerk that you were using to clean the lint away?

Yes, a Tiger 251. Not the prettiest vacuum but a work horse for sure!

 

[logixx]

One more

 

[logixx]

David, it's totally easy to remove the back panel and the heater - just remove the screws and nuts. Takes no more than an hour, really!

Just remove the three screws holding the white plastic piece in place (red) and then the other ones (blue). Just be sure to only remove the three middle screws that hold the white piece in place - the other ones in the middle are related to the drum bearing.

Alex

 

[dubstar85]

Thank you for the extra info! I cleaned it out yesterday and it seems to be faster! The only thing thats annoying about my dryer is that I have extra insulation at the rear. Its got a sort of cage packed full of it. Theres still the hole for the air intake obviously! I always take the vacuum to it once a month.

David

 

[Bearpeter]

I am so lazy

Havent cleaned out my zanussi in months!! (Apart from the lint!!) Always had problems with it, squeaking,drum noise and how loud are they???? Moving down to Newcastle in a few weeks, leaving an AEG and taking an Indesit!!! Why do they do slow revs throughout the wash and rinse cycles??? who thought that up?? Obviously a nut job!! Is it the same with the new hotpoints??

 

[hoover1100]

Indesit and their pathetic tumbles

Who knows! Probably a way to get away with using a hugely underpowered motor and not having it explode halfway through the first wash ;-) As far as I know, the new Hotpoints are exactly the same.

Shame you have to leave your AEG behind. Moving to Newcastle eh? Hope you like it, I love it here!

All the best,

Matt

 

[fl1012]

Bearpeter

Is the loud Zanussi youre talking about a condensor with a large metal door and a more 'square' look to the one pictured in this thread? My Mum has the Electrolux version of the Zanussi Condensor dated around yr 2000 - its bloody loud! Can hear it upstairs and its in the utility room downstairs with the back door closed - its always been like it so we don't worry, but imagine the poor sods that bought a condensor so they could have it in the kitchen!

On a seperate note, do those new Indesits do that stupid slow tumble malarky all the time then? I thought when i saw it on videos etc, it was just on a delicate cycle. Why have that slow rubbish on a cotton cycle? Nothing will be cleaned! Probably to hide the fact the motor is useless, as already mentioned!