Tumble dryers that really dry clothes quickly…
Discussion
We replaced an ageing but functional Miele tumble dryer with a modern LG heat pump / inverter model. It’s a condenser model, the same as the Miele.
It’s quieter, but takes absolutely ages to dry anything. I am sure that it’s using less energy per hour, but if you have to run it for longer that isn’t really a benefit. In fact quite the opposite.
I would like a large capacity tumble dryer that drys clothes quickly. I am (for this) not concerned by energy consumption; I want a dryer designed to dry clothes quickly, not one designed to contribute to someone’s net zero target etc etc. Just our preference as we have an active family with constant loads of sports kit etc. Our current dryer is running almost non-stop trying to keep up with drying demand - clearly not a sensible situation.
So what do I need? What type of dryer provides the greatest drying effect?
An old (pre-climate crisis publicity?) model?
Some sort of commercial dryer?
A vented dryer - it would be easy to install a vent/outlet
I’m asking the PH hive mind here because all the marketing / tech help on tumble dryers seems to be based on telling you how energy efficient they are, not how effective they are at drying clothes. The two are not the same!
It’s quieter, but takes absolutely ages to dry anything. I am sure that it’s using less energy per hour, but if you have to run it for longer that isn’t really a benefit. In fact quite the opposite.
I would like a large capacity tumble dryer that drys clothes quickly. I am (for this) not concerned by energy consumption; I want a dryer designed to dry clothes quickly, not one designed to contribute to someone’s net zero target etc etc. Just our preference as we have an active family with constant loads of sports kit etc. Our current dryer is running almost non-stop trying to keep up with drying demand - clearly not a sensible situation.
So what do I need? What type of dryer provides the greatest drying effect?
An old (pre-climate crisis publicity?) model?
Some sort of commercial dryer?
A vented dryer - it would be easy to install a vent/outlet
I’m asking the PH hive mind here because all the marketing / tech help on tumble dryers seems to be based on telling you how energy efficient they are, not how effective they are at drying clothes. The two are not the same!
Welcome to the nanny state. We have experienced exactly the same issue, modern ‘efficient’ washing machines and dryers just mean low temperature and slow program times.
The kind of dryer you really want probably aren’t even allowed on sale anymore. We’ve just replaced a 3 year old heat pump dryer with a new condenser one, with corresponding lower efficiency rating and will see if it any better at doing the job!
The kind of dryer you really want probably aren’t even allowed on sale anymore. We’ve just replaced a 3 year old heat pump dryer with a new condenser one, with corresponding lower efficiency rating and will see if it any better at doing the job!
Some Siemens Tumble dryers have a rapid 40 setting - quick dry in 40mins. Not got one so no idea if it actually works.
https://www.euronics.co.uk/catalogue/laundry/tumbl...
https://www.euronics.co.uk/catalogue/laundry/tumbl...
WindyCommon said:
We replaced an ageing but functional Miele tumble dryer with a modern LG heat pump / inverter model. It’s a condenser model, the same as the Miele.
It’s quieter, but takes absolutely ages to dry anything. I am sure that it’s using less energy per hour, but if you have to run it for longer that isn’t really a benefit. In fact quite the opposite.
I would like a large capacity tumble dryer that drys clothes quickly. I am (for this) not concerned by energy consumption; I want a dryer designed to dry clothes quickly, not one designed to contribute to someone’s net zero target etc etc. Just our preference as we have an active family with constant loads of sports kit etc. Our current dryer is running almost non-stop trying to keep up with drying demand - clearly not a sensible situation.
So what do I need? What type of dryer provides the greatest drying effect?
An old (pre-climate crisis publicity?) model?
Some sort of commercial dryer?
A vented dryer - it would be easy to install a vent/outlet
I’m asking the PH hive mind here because all the marketing / tech help on tumble dryers seems to be based on telling you how energy efficient they are, not how effective they are at drying clothes. The two are not the same!
Heat pump dryers are definitely slower, but the energy saving is significant. Just because it takes longer doesn't suddenly mean that the energy saving is not present, the energy used per cycle is what matters in that respect, not how long it takes.It’s quieter, but takes absolutely ages to dry anything. I am sure that it’s using less energy per hour, but if you have to run it for longer that isn’t really a benefit. In fact quite the opposite.
I would like a large capacity tumble dryer that drys clothes quickly. I am (for this) not concerned by energy consumption; I want a dryer designed to dry clothes quickly, not one designed to contribute to someone’s net zero target etc etc. Just our preference as we have an active family with constant loads of sports kit etc. Our current dryer is running almost non-stop trying to keep up with drying demand - clearly not a sensible situation.
So what do I need? What type of dryer provides the greatest drying effect?
An old (pre-climate crisis publicity?) model?
Some sort of commercial dryer?
A vented dryer - it would be easy to install a vent/outlet
I’m asking the PH hive mind here because all the marketing / tech help on tumble dryers seems to be based on telling you how energy efficient they are, not how effective they are at drying clothes. The two are not the same!
I am planning to have two dryers when I change my condenser one now. Not everybody has that space I guess.
Which has good reviews on this type of topic.
skilly1 said:
Some Siemens Tumble dryers have a rapid 40 setting - quick dry in 40mins. Not got one so no idea if it actually works.
https://www.euronics.co.uk/catalogue/laundry/tumbl...
Yup, my heat pump dryer includes a rapid dry function - i assume it just directly heats.https://www.euronics.co.uk/catalogue/laundry/tumbl...
WindyCommon said:
I am sure that it’s using less energy per hour, but if you have to run it for longer that isn’t really a benefit. In fact quite the opposite.
They use less electricity both per hour and over a whole cycle. Measure it if you disagree,I am not sure I get this whole heat pump dryers take ages thing but perhaps my model of dryer is particularly good. A basket of washing can be dried in my heat pump dryer in 90-120 minutes. It uses 0.6-0.8 kW for that type of cycle. Certainly way quicker than my previous combined washer/dryer.
skilly1 said:
Some Siemens Tumble dryers have a rapid 40 setting - quick dry in 40mins. Not got one so no idea if it actually works.
https://www.euronics.co.uk/catalogue/laundry/tumbl...
I’ve got a Bosch one (from same stable) that’s about 7 years old that has a Super Quick 40 selection on the ‘Easy care’ options. Does a fairly decent job but does need the filters to be kept pretty clean for better performance. A fine adjust option let’s you adjust the time up to a maximum of 55 minutes too.https://www.euronics.co.uk/catalogue/laundry/tumbl...
If you google 'best tumble driers 2022' you will get a few comparison tests from the likes of T3 who do highlight which dryers have fast dry settings such as 40 mins (even 20-30 mins in some cases) using a higher temperature.
Just be aware that not only are these longer drying cycles on modern machines more economical, they are better for the clothes because they use a much lower temperature. The rapid dry cycles of 30-40 mins use much higher temperatures and can have a tendency to shrink stuff.
Just be aware that not only are these longer drying cycles on modern machines more economical, they are better for the clothes because they use a much lower temperature. The rapid dry cycles of 30-40 mins use much higher temperatures and can have a tendency to shrink stuff.
malaccamax said:
You say "we have an active family with constant loads of sports kit etc" so maybe upgrade the sports kit to avoid cotton. Modern sports fabrics are virtually dry out of a wash spin cycle.
Thank you. I will inform the kit suppliers to the various school and club teams we all play for...We've just replaced a 12 year old White Knight vented dryer with a relatively expensive Beko heat pump model. The White Knight had a faulty mechanical timer, which frequently jammed at 40 minutes. Had to set an alarm, and turn it off manually.
I was very sceptical about heat pump tumblers, but the potential energy savings (at least, while the October price cap was 52p) convinced me to give it a go. It gets a 2/3rds load from the 9kg washing machine "hanger" dry in 135 minutes, using less than a kwH of electric. The old vented one took about 100 minutes, and used just over 3kwH.
We replaced the washing machine at the same time, as the old Beko one was too small to take a double duvet. I was a bit surprised that the washer was two thirds of the price of the tumbler, but the washer is saving us a fair bit on electric too. A bigger drum means that my normal full load from the old machine has a lot more space to move around, so the quick wash (38 minutes at 40 degrees) works perfectly. The old machine took close on 90 minutes.
Combined laundry time is less than it was, and saving a pound a time on electric.
I was very sceptical about heat pump tumblers, but the potential energy savings (at least, while the October price cap was 52p) convinced me to give it a go. It gets a 2/3rds load from the 9kg washing machine "hanger" dry in 135 minutes, using less than a kwH of electric. The old vented one took about 100 minutes, and used just over 3kwH.
We replaced the washing machine at the same time, as the old Beko one was too small to take a double duvet. I was a bit surprised that the washer was two thirds of the price of the tumbler, but the washer is saving us a fair bit on electric too. A bigger drum means that my normal full load from the old machine has a lot more space to move around, so the quick wash (38 minutes at 40 degrees) works perfectly. The old machine took close on 90 minutes.
Combined laundry time is less than it was, and saving a pound a time on electric.
Condenser dryers can be very quick, but they get less efficient as clothes get dryer - as all dryers do. A full load takes 20/25 mins to dry down to "just about dry" and then chuck the clothes on the bed for 10 mins before putting in the cupboard, using the heat in the clothes to evaporate the last of the water.
Also make sure you're using the max spin in the washing machine - it's by far the cheapest and quickest way to get water out, especially heavy or thick sports gear.
Also make sure you're using the max spin in the washing machine - it's by far the cheapest and quickest way to get water out, especially heavy or thick sports gear.
WindyCommon said:
Understood and agreed re lower power usage over a cycle.
It’s just that I’d like a dryer optimised for drying time not energy usage, and I can’t seem to find one.
In car terms I would like a large capacity V8 not a tiny diesel where mpg is the main criteria.
The cost difference is eye watering though It’s just that I’d like a dryer optimised for drying time not energy usage, and I can’t seem to find one.
In car terms I would like a large capacity V8 not a tiny diesel where mpg is the main criteria.
we have a mile heat pump dryer- it seems to dry 7kg or laundry to "cupboard" dry in about 2-2.5 hours.
Even with today's costs that whole cycle is about 40p. A vented dryer would cost about £1.10 for the same load. We do at least a load per day, so over a year that's about £320 for very little benefit. Over the 8 year life of machine you've just spanked £2,400!
PugwasHDJ80 said:
The other thing to add is that heat pump dryers can go in any room of the house and are very very quiet.
Vented are noisy and need an outside wall with a big hole in.
But if you read the original post he already has a modern heat pump dryer, so you are answering the wrong question.Vented are noisy and need an outside wall with a big hole in.
Vented hot air dryers are always going to be the quickest.
https://ao.com/l/vented_tumble_dryers/1/17-19/?mmr...
Also note that condensor dryers are not the same as heat pump.
https://ao.com/l/vented_tumble_dryers/1/17-19/?mmr...
Also note that condensor dryers are not the same as heat pump.
We have a vented white Knight gas dryer, not that old but it looks like something from the 80's which is ideal as it's very basic so less to go wrong. I am sure it is (was?) a lot cheaper than an electric one and dries large loads pretty quickly.
Someone told me you can't buy them anymore which is a shame.
Someone told me you can't buy them anymore which is a shame.
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