There are lots of different tumble dryers available on the market that offer a variety of features and functions. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a large family, it's important to find the best appliance to meet your needs.
DRYING METHOD
The first decision you'll have to make is which drying method you want for your tumble dryer. Currently on there are three options, vented, condenser and heat pump tumble dryers.
Vented
A more traditional style of drying, vented tumble dryers remove moisture from the clothes and expel it through a hose and vent outside your house. These models tend to be less energy efficient and subsequently have higher running costs.
Condenser
Unlike vented models, condenser tumble dryers remove moisture which is then condensed and stored inside a removable tank. This is a popular choice for households who are unable to vent their tumble dryer through a wall.
Heat Pump
The most energy efficient models on the market, heat pump tumble dryers recycle hot air created inside the drum, rather than drawing in air from the surrounding environment. This means that running costs are a lot cheaper, but cycles make take a little longer.
DRUM SIZE
The second consideration to make is the size of the drum and drying capacity. This will depend on how often you run a wash cycle and how much laundry you have.
- Small 5-6kg: a small drum size is capable of holding around 7-9 towels, 5 trousers and t-shirts, or 1 single duvet.
- Medium 7-9kg: a medium drum size is able to hold around 10-13 towels, 7 trousers and t-shirts, or 1 double duvet.
- Large 10-13kg: a large drum size can hold around 14-18 towels, 10 trousers and t-shirts, or 1 kingsize duvet.
For optimal convenience, it's a good idea to match your tumble dryer capacity with your washing machine capacity. This allows you to move your wet clothes straight into the tumble dryer.
FEATURES
Finding a tumble dryer that works for you is important to ensure your laundry pile stays under control. Here are the most common features.
Sensor Drying
Having to constantly check if your clothes are dry can get very annoying, but not with sensor drying technology! You simply select the desired dryness levels and let the sensors automatically detect the moisture levels in your clothes.
Reverse Tumble
Tired of having to untangle your laundry after a drying cycle? The reverse tumble action makes sure that your clothes don't end up a tangled mess.
Smart Technology
If you own a Google Home, Amazon Alexa or smartphone, you'll need to look out for smart technology enabled models. These allow you to control settings, functions and programmes remotely through an app.
TUMBLE DRYER FAQs
As you can imagine, we get asked a lot of questions about tumble dryers. That's why we've compiled a list of our most commonly asked questions.
Which is the most energy efficient tumble dryer?
Out of the three options, heat pump tumble dryers offer the most energy efficient performance. Often a little more expensive than their vented or condenser counterparts, they ensure your running costs stay low.
What can't I put in a tumble dryer?
Luckily nowadays, a lot of garments can go inside a tumble dryer, however there are a few items that you should avoid. These include bras, tights, swimming costumes, embellished clothes and sports shoes with rubber soles.
How hot do tumble dryers drums get?
Tumble dryers can actually get surprisingly hot! It depends on the manufacturer and model, but they can get as hot as 175 degrees Celsius.
What is the cost of the cheapest tumble dryer?
Here at Kitchen Economy we have a large variety of tumble dryers under £200.
