Are you a fan of single, standalone tumble dryers? Or are you of the view that a combined washer dryer does the job okay? Opinions on tumble dryers versus washer-dryers seem to vary – there are those that love ‘em and those that hate ‘em – but investing in a tumble dryer, as opposed to a combined washer dryer, does have its benefits. Here’s an insight into why.
Drying capacity
For a start, it’s a specialist machine and the single option tends to be more efficient overall than a machine designed to both wash and dry.
The amount of washing a tumble dryer can cope with is generally more than a combined machine (as I have found out, to my detriment). Although you may wash your normal load in the machine, in order to get the best out of the drying capabilities, you’re likely to need to remove some of the wet washing before you can dry the rest.
In fact, some combined machines are only able to effectively dry half the amount that they can wash. So unless you put it on for two drying cycles (which costs more and uses more energy), you’re left with some wet laundry.
Cooling issues
Hot on the heels of a tumble dryer’s drying capacity comes issues relating to cooling. A good brand of standalone tumble dryer uk is designed to have an effective cooling down function. This means that by the time you open the door and take out your tumble dried washing, it’s cool.
In contrast, with many combined washer dryers, when the drying cycle has stopped, you’ll often find that your clothes are still very warm when you take them out. Yes, your items will feel cosy and warm to your touch on a cold day, but it does indicate that the cooling function on the machine isn’t as good.
Faster drying times
Thanks to their larger drum, a tumble dryer is able to dry items at a much faster rate than a combined washer dryer.
Plus, as there’s more room inside the drum, items are less likely to come out looking creased. So there’s more of a chance you won’t have to do any ironing – bonus!
Space
When it comes to having two machines in a small home, space can be an issue. But there are ways around it that can help overcome space restrictions and give you the ability to have both a washing machine and a tumble dryer.
A tumble dryer can be stacked on top of a washing machine, for example (just ensure it’s done in a safe manner), or it could be installed in a garage or in an understairs cupboard.
We’ve even come across some instances where people have taken out the bath in their bathroom and installed a shower instead – leaving space in the bathroom for a tumble dryer (and if you don’t want it on show, it can be hidden in a built in cupboard).
Technology
And finally, it’s worth considering the technology involved in each machine. A tumble dryer benefits from being devoted to one type of function – drying your washing – and the technology and machine capabilities reflect this,
Although washer dryers are more advanced these days, as there’s two main types of technology involved, the drying part may be less sophisticated than the offerings of a pure tumble dryer. For example, it may have fewer settings and do a bit less.
The Fresh Design conclusion
There’s no denying that combined washing and tumble drying machines certainly do have their place and, if you’re not going to be doing multiple loads of washing and drying, do their job well. But if you’ve got lots to wash and dry, or want to benefit from being able to dry more in one go, the lack of a separate machine can be frustrating.
So if you’re in the market for a new machine, it’s definitely worth weighing up the pros and cons and seeing which could serve your needs better. A single tumble dryer may be a bit more of an investment, but it could well save you lots of time and hassle in the long run.
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