Neeeed a dryer in Dubai - does anyone know if the condenser dryers really work? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Neeeed a dryer in Dubai - does anyone know if the condenser dryers really work?

93
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 July 2012 - 14:49

So I've been struggling with laundry as I've been dryer-less for almost 9 months now here in Dubai. I've just about had it and plan to buy a dryer for my apartment, but I want to know if the condenser dryers really work? I've waited this long because I've never used a "condenser" dryer before (had a good old whirlpool dryer with vents leading out of the house in America, etc) and I am doubtful that the "condenser" dryer really drys clothes completely. (and for those who don't know, like I didn't, a condenser dryer has this little drawer for the water that you just dump out after each use, so it doesn't need vents, just a plug)

The hotel we stayed in Dubai upon arrival had a combination washer-dryer, but it totally sucked and the clothes were hardly dry, just twisted. So ever since we got our apartment, we bought a washer only and I've been using the rack stand out on the balcony and have the crispy, dusty laundry...which I've been putting up with, but now its like 114 degrees outside and its wayyyy too hot to be hanging the family's laundry (ie. 4 loads a week) on the balcony practically everyday (between hanging and then collecting laundry)

going to buy a dryer in the next week, so any advice much appreciated! I want to know if the clothes come out totally dry end of story, or is it still heh?
<em>edited by cleoExpatra on 25/07/2012</em>

116
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 July 2012 - 16:56
One tip that makes a big difference...... Between the wash and dry cylces - remove each item - hold each one at the top and shake several time to fluff each item up before returning to the washer/dryer and starting the condense drying cycle. If you do not do this the items remain stuck to the sides of the unit from the spin cycle and end up stiff as cardboard. Also if you remove when items are about 75% dry and line and hanger dry to finish this works quite well. This gets you results fairly close to using an air / tumble dryer.
93
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 July 2012 - 13:57
thanks for all the recommendations ladies!!
1996
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 26 July 2012 - 00:12
Ours is a Whirlpool-it works really well although we seldom use it as everything dries inside within the day anyway
4329
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 July 2012 - 00:05
I have an LG one - it is great and has sensors so stops automatically. Very reasonably priced too. Check them out at the LG shop in Ibn. There are masses of programmes and you choose cupboard dry, iron dry etc. We only really use for towels - don't like hard towels and if things dry too slowly here they smell. <em>edited by spongemonkey on 26/07/2012</em>
2383
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 25 July 2012 - 18:51
Thanks berniea - think next time I wash towels I will just let the drying cycle run on as I have never tested to see how long it actually would take. Much prefer a separate dryer but DH decided we would have a combi ! Decision was made because we can't open any windows !
344
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 July 2012 - 17:40
I have a Samsung here and I love it. It has a button you can press for anti-crease so when it stops drying it will carry on tumbling the clothes every so often to prevent creases so easier to iron :) Never got on with a combi, I just don't feel they dry stuff anywhere near as good or quick as a separate drier!
234
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 July 2012 - 17:30
I have a Siemens condenser dryer and it is great. It works better than the vented dryer I used before. I am also a very happy user of the Siemens condenser dryer. I will never use the 'ventilation' type again. I have a Siemens condenser dryer at home and it's great. I have a Bosch washer/dryer here, it's okay but I really don't like the combination machines, the drum is okay for washing but always seems too small for drying. Also hate with the combi when I stop drying just to see if things are dry enough the door remains locked for one minute. Both machines beep for too long to announce they've finished doing their jobs.
344
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 July 2012 - 17:00
Well, I put 3 big thick bath towels in and two hand towels this morning for an hour and they are dry. The one I have, I don't have to use any particular setting, I can just put it on for however long I think it will take. I did see that the cotton setting was a stupid amount of time so I don't use it!
2383
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 25 July 2012 - 16:56
How long, on average, would it take to dry six handtowels in a condenser dryer ? I ask as I have a washer/condenser dryer and only use the drying cycle to 'fluff up' the towels for about twenty minutes. When I select the drying cycle for this purpose the timer shows that a full cycle would take about 2 1/2 hours, which is just silly. A vented dryer would take about forty-five minutes. Problem is that to use a vented dryer you need to be able to open a window so that you can hang the vent hose outside to get rid of the moisture. Not an easy thing to do in an apartment !!
300
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 July 2012 - 16:32
I have a Siemens condenser dryer and it is great. It works better than the vented dryer I used before. I am also a very happy user of the Siemens condenser dryer. I will never use the 'ventilation' type again.
352
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 July 2012 - 15:33
I bought mine second hand and hardly use it but love it when I do. It is handy for when it rains (!!) and I use it for about ten minutes to fluff up towels and soften anything up that has been overly dried outside. You will not regret it.
940
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EW GURU
Latest post on 25 July 2012 - 15:32
I have a Siemens condenser dryer and it is great. It works better than the vented dryer I used before.
365
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 July 2012 - 15:17
Hi there, also from the States so having a condensation dryer was new for me too. Have had mine a few years now and they are great. Not like home of course but they get the job done. Lots of settings and I can always get our clothing completely dry.
344
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 July 2012 - 15:04
I have one and it is great!! I really do recommend getting one. Wouldn't be without mine :D It collects the water and you empty it after every dry is best. Clean the fluff out as well. This is the second one I have had here and by far the better. They come out as dry as you want them. The one I have now has a timer on it, different types of material and even something to put your trainers on so they don't get chucked around the drum :)
 
 

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