[JD6]

We have always managed without a tumble dryer, preferring to air dry clothes in a well-ventilated spare room, but they do seem to be the only way to revive decent water proofing on Gore-Tex clothing, and down jackets. As I really can't be arsed to drive to the nearest laundrette and watch it dry, I am thinking of putting a tumble dryer in the garage for occasional use - probably once a month on average.

I would prefer not to have to create an external vent in the garage, so I was wondering about a condensing tumble dryer. It there any reason not to do this, in particular:

Can it cope with living in an unheated garage (one that we don't use for the cars)?
Is it worth buying more than the most basic one for this once a month use?
Do condensing tumble dryers work well enough?
Any specific recommendations of inexpensive ones?

Cheers

[Broncho]

Ours gets used 2 or 3 times a day and has done for the last 5 years or so, it’s excellent.

We had a vented one in the garage but it was a pain in the ass especially in the winter as the garage is detached.

We bought a condenser to go in the utility room just off the kitchen, it’s been reliable just needing 2 drum wheels replacing in the summer.

Ours was only about £220, I think it’s a Beko, we thought we’d see how we got on with one and it’s been brilliant so the mrs says

[Ashway]

We've got a hotpoint one in ours, it had to have a mod done a couple of years ago because of the fire risk but to be fair its been spot on. Had a vented one previously and it wasn't as good.

I bought ours from Marks electrical online and got free delivery within a couple of days. Used them for a number of our kitchen appliances and been very pleased with the service
https://markselectrical.co.uk/?refer...filiateGateway

[Daftasabrush]

I've just looked at similar and have a load of stuff from Which? about them. I'll add them to the thread later on when I get a min

[AlwynMike]

For the more frugal....just get a vented one and throw the vent hose out of the window a couple of times per month.
You can also get a water trap for vented dryers that you connect the vent hose to - about a tenner I think. So no open windows etc. Don't know how effective they are though.
We have a condenser with reheat. Works much better than the previous vented one and running costs a lot lower - but we use ours more frequently. Allegedly less of a fire risk too! Gets a lot of water out of a normal load - so much so that I'm seriously considering plumbing it in to the drains as the water container isn't the easiest to empty.

[Daftasabrush]

As promised:

[Daftasabrush]

Oh and in answer to your questions:

Can it cope with living in an unheated garage (one that we don't use for the cars)? - yes
Is it worth buying more than the most basic one for this once a month use? - probably but don't buy a shit one still
Do condensing tumble dryers work well enough? - yes
Any specific recommendations of inexpensive ones? - see above or sign up to Which? for £1 (and then cancel, but I've done the leg work already)

[EvilDrPorkChop]

We have a Miele Heat Pump dryer, gets used regularly. TBH couldn't manage without a dryer and we even have a radiator in the garage for drying clothes. Somethings aren't the same unless they are tumble dried!

But yeah, expensive but good. Has a drain to it for the condense to drain out, or it'll collect it in a container.

[JD6]

Thanks for all of the responses. Much appreciated