How to choose a clothes dryer?
Types of dryers
Choosing the best dryer would have been much easier if we lived in Western Europe 30 years ago. In those days, dryers had just appeared, the number of their models was very limited, and there was only one type - take the first one you came across, and you won.
Now the situation is different; it’s difficult even for a specialist to say which dryer is better, and there’s nothing to say about the consumer. However, having understood what types of drying machines there are, we can formulate general criteria for their selection, but first things first.
There are several types of dryers, which are presented in three classifications. For clarity, we have presented these varieties in the diagram that you see below.
Strictly speaking, there are only two types of full-featured dryers: tumble dryers and oven dryers. The third type indicated in the diagram is still a washing machine with a clothes drying function. The drum dryer is the most common in the market and is in greatest demand. This type of dryer is divided into two types: ventilating and condensing. In ventilation dryers, the moisture evaporated from things is removed through a special pipe into the ventilation shaft.
In condenser dryers, moisture is collected in a special reservoir and then poured into the sink. In this regard, condensing machines are more convenient, they are easier to operate, and because of this they are more popular. A drying cabinet is a regular clothes cabinet with built-in drying units. Clothes hang in it on ordinary hangers, and if you turn on the drying program, the moisture from the clothes will begin to evaporate. Drying cabinets differ in the number of chambers and, accordingly, in size.
Note! Drying cabinets are convenient for their dual purpose; they are simultaneously used both for storing things and for drying them.
Criterias of choice
What parameters should you pay attention to when choosing a suitable dryer? Experts will help answer this question.
- In small spaces (for example, a bathroom in a typical apartment), every centimeter counts, so choose a compact dryer. However, keep in mind that the smaller the dryer, the less laundry you can load into it at one time.
- If the intended installation location of the dryer does not have a vent or window nearby, then do not buy a vented dryer.
- Pay attention to the functional component of the dryer. Not all functions offered by the manufacturer can be useful to the consumer, but some especially valuable ones must be included. For example, the “easy ironing” function or the function that prevents things from bunching up.
- Pay attention to the material the dryer drum is made of. It is best if it is stainless steel.
- A modern dryer should be the least energy-consuming, so buy only those machines that indicate energy consumption class A, or better yet A+ or A++, on the body.
- Make sure that a heat pump is installed in the dryer; it significantly saves energy and does not release excess heat into the room.
All types of dryers on the modern market are presented in three price categories: low, medium and high. In the low price category there are only drum-type dryers from well-known manufacturers of household appliances; their cost ranges from 500 to 700 USD. In the middle price category there are drying machines and cabinets costing from 700 to 1000 USD. In the high price category there are drying machines and cabinets costing from 1000 USD.
How does a dryer work?
The operating principle of a dryer depends on its type. Drum dryers are very similar in appearance to automatic washing machines. They have the same round rotating drum and heating elements.
In addition, fans are installed in drum dryers, which ensure the movement of hot air inside the drum with laundry. This results in a triple positive effect:
- heating accelerates the process of moisture evaporation;
- the movement of air inside ensures the uniformity of this process;
- Rotation of the drum ensures easy ironing of laundry afterwards.
How does a drying cabinet work? The drying cabinet looks like a familiar piece of cabinet furniture. Inside this closet there are lattice shelves for linen and hangers for things. The drying cabinet is equipped with several powerful heating elements, as well as fans to disperse hot air.We install the drying program we like, launch it and go about our business. The program will complete the work itself, and then you will take out clean and dry things.
Is a dryer necessary in a modern home?
It would probably be unnecessary to mention the fact that in a modern, technologically advanced home, drying washed clothes on a line is not only inconvenient, but also unfashionable. And, really, why drag basins of laundry onto the balcony or outside in the cold, hanging it all on clotheslines for everyone to see. Moreover, you risk that a drunk neighbor from the top floor, having decided to smoke, will throw a smoldering cigarette butt right on your favorite sweater.
Of course, you can purchase a folding home dryer and dry your laundry at room temperature at home. But in this case, you will have to contemplate the hanging laundry all day and inhale the chemical aromas of the powder, and there is nothing to say about excess humidity. Here are the arguments in favor of purchasing a dryer.
Dryers have a number of advantages and disadvantages. Experts highlight the following advantages of drum dryers:
- relatively small dimensions and efficient drying of clothes;
- drum dryers provide the fastest drying of clothes;
- drum dryers are capable of steaming laundry, which makes ironing easier;
- Such machines have a lot of drying programs from which you can easily choose the right one;
- Drum drying is autonomous and does not require connection to any communications.
The main disadvantage of a drum dryer is that it cannot dry everything without exception. In particular, you cannot dry delicate fabrics and shoes in such a machine. For some housewives this is a very significant drawback.
Drying cabinets also have many advantages. In particular:
- They can be used to dry absolutely anything that can be dried in the open air, including shoes;
- the process of drying things in a drying cabinet is very gentle and gradual, and in most cases things do not become deformed or wrinkled;
- the drying cabinet is extremely spacious (even if we are talking about a model with one section), you can safely hang “the whole batch” of washed clothes in it;
- The drying cabinet looks very stylish; it will organically fit into the furniture composition of your home.
Consumers point out their dimensions as disadvantages of drying cabinets; they are very difficult to place in a small apartment. In addition, their cost is striking; more or less decent models cost from 800 USD, this price scares off many potential buyers.
Important! The advantages of modern dryers outweigh their disadvantages. With them you will forget about ropes, bulky home dryers, excess humidity and heavy basins with wet laundry.
Tumble dryer review: which one is the best?
Now it’s time to give examples of reliable and high-quality modern dryers. Let us note right away that choosing the best one will be extremely difficult, because this question is subjective. However, we will provide a list of good dryers, based on expert ratings and consumer reviews, and let you make the final conclusions.
- Bosch WTC 84102 O.E. Drum dryer made in Poland with a load of up to 7 kg. There is a multi-thread drying system that ensures gentle drying of laundry. You can select a program to gradually reduce the drying temperature. There is no display, but this is reflected in the price.An excellent washing machine for the money, price about 580 USD.
- Asko DC 7583S. Swedish innovative drying cabinet measuring 184x60x64 cm with a section for drying shoes. The relatively small size is compensated by its extreme capacity. The manufacturer claims that it holds the same amount of laundry as a 16-meter rope. In this case, the laundry is dried in a straightened state, which protects it from becoming wrinkled. The average price of such a cabinet is about 1400 USD.
- Siemens WT46S Another high-quality drum condensing dryer made in Poland with a load of laundry up to 8 kg. It has many drying programs in its arsenal: very dry cotton, iron-on cotton, cabinet dry, super quick dry, underwear, wool, steam dry and others. There is a display, which makes control more convenient. The average price of the model is 750 USD.
- Gorenje D 844 B.H. Drum condensing dryer made in Slovenia. Maximum drum load up to 8 kg. There is no display. There are drying modes with steam, an electronic drying control system, touch control of laundry moisture and jams. The condensate tank full indication works well, and a delayed start can be programmed. The average price of the model is 460 USD.
Important! All of the above models of drying machines have been thoroughly tested by specialists and have positive consumer reviews.
In conclusion, we note that clothes dryers are another step towards automating household work, and this is especially valuable when you come home tired from work, and a lot of washing, drying and ironing awaits you. The main thing is to choose a dryer that suits you in every way, and for this you will have to read a little information on the topic.If you additionally want to choose a more suitable automatic washing machine, article How to choose a washing machine for you. Have a nice day!
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3 reader comments
We immediately decided to buy a 2 in 1 washer and dryer. If it’s separate, then we need a penthouse. And so the bathroom - shower, stove - oven, washer - dryer. A useful thing, it’s a pity that it doesn’t iron :) The price is generally golden compared to the time savings. At first we thought about buying it online, but then we decided. I am loyal to him because I sell myself and I know that not everyone wants to make money. In addition, boxbury has become much safer.
In order not to be prohibitively expensive and normal, this is probably Indesit that you should look at first.
I agree that 2 in 1 is much more convenient and economical. My husband and I also bought everything for our house using this principle. True, we thought about buying a dryer for a long time. My husband said she was useless. But in the fall and winter, when things began to dry twice as slowly, I realized that a dryer wouldn’t be superfluous. I was hesitant to buy on the Internet, but the offer convinced me. We purchased the Candy GrandO’ Vita GVC D1013B-07 model for about $194. I don’t understand how I lived without a dryer before :) In addition to the affordable price, this model has a high-quality drum with some kind of cool coating (my husband knows more about the names), is easy to operate, has a timer, and does not take up much space. It just doesn’t work too quietly, but it’s not critical either.