imlach

Need a tumble dryer (not had one before)

What should I be looking for?

- Condensing one seems sensible but not essential (going in garage).
- 6kg one seems nice and big
- auto sensing seems a nice idea

Anything else?

brickboy

Condenser ones don't work as well IMHO ... also, even with two kids we never manage to fill our ancient Zanussi 4.5kg dryer.

IMHO, go for the simplest -- mechanical timer etc. Less to go wrong, electronics always cost a fortune to replace if faulty. My advice would be to make sure the door catch is robust -- that's been the most recurrent fault for me.

NeilT

and go for the most energy efficient models (A or B rating I think).

We have a condensor job with B rating and it works just fine.

Mice_Elf

We have a tumble dryer that has been in the family since we were tiny - mum used to dry the nappies in it during winter and the youngest of us is now 26. It's as basic as you can get - a mechanical one that has a timer on the front and that's it.

Still works to this day - despite about 4 moves about, from house - house and room - room.

TelBoy

Bosch 5500. You won't be sorry.

<wanders off in a daze, wondering how my life got to the stage where i know the manufaturer AND model number of a good tumble dryer. I need an Anadin.>

Jolly Green Monster 2

I usually look for clothes in my tumble drier!!

Sorry

JGM

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

I once had to look for our cat in mine--the stupid thing went in when I dropped the door down to take clothes out. When I came back down I kicked the door shut, and the bl**dy cat gave an enormous screech! I nearly shat myself, I was sure it'd be mangled, but it just ran off and hid when I opened the door!
Alcazar

TAZMAN

tumbling and drying mainly??

PG

as good an energy rating as you can afford.
reverse - air or similar ( spins in both directions )

Scoobydick

Look and see if any birds have left their knickers behind in it - you may get lucky, you never know!

Boost II

iTrader: (1)

Watch out in the garage - you need to put it near a door/window you can leave open or get a condenser - otherwise all your tools will go rusty over time from the steam.

blair

and there is nothing worse after a long session tumbling than a rusty tool

Brendan Hughes

Condenser ones (at least, the ones I looked at) use twice as much water as a washing machine as they use an extra ?50L of water per load to trickle across the condensor to keep it cool. Might be worth considering if you're on metered water.

Luke

Gas. very good and cheap to run.

Toerag

My condenser dryer doesn't use any water at all, and it sits in the lounge of my flat and nothing gets damp. Hotpoint something or other. Door catch is crap though.

druddle

I have got a Bosch one in the garage. Dead simple, mechanical timer, thats it, cable tied the vent pipe into the roof thru a hole. Marvellous for 120 quid a year ago.

C h a z

Miele, the best bar none.

SilverSmith

The cheapest condensing drier Currys/Comet (or wherever) sell. Got a Whiteknight one from Currys a couple of years ago, cheap and cheerfull works well, half the price of the more fashionable models. Don't take out the extended warrenty and save the cash - pays for half the next one, or some bits for the Scoob