Hi all,

The Mrs mentioned our old conventionally vented TD wasn't drying like
it did so I first checked what power it was consuming with a plug-in
power meter (thinking a heater element may have gone after all these
years). Nope, ~250W running the drum and fan, ~1500W with the low temp
setting and ~2400W on high. Except the heater was cutting out quite
quickly maybe 10:1, off to on) so I wondered if the thermostat was
getting weak ... or the airflow was obstructed somehow?

I then remembered I hadn't cleared the outside exhaust vent for quite
a while and lo-and-behold, it was 50% blocked (doh).

That got me thinking of these dryers that are catching fire because of
a buildup of lint on the element and how that can't be easy to
overcome *if* it was a condenser dryer as I assume the same air was
going round and round?

On our dryer, the air is drawn in from the outside of the cabinet via
the heater element, though the drum, out via the filter, fan, exhaust
pipes and wall vent, so very little chance of any lint getting near
the heater element.

So, are the dryers that are catching fire typically the condenser
type?

Cheers, T i m

On 10/03/2016 21:16, T i m wrote:
Hi all,



So, are the dryers that are catching fire typically the condenser
type?

Cheers, T i m


The vented Indesit tumble drier that I bought recently was one of the
types that caught fire. In theory the design was modified before the
product was despatched. I must remember to keep checking the filter.


--
Michael Chare

---
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In article , Michael Chare
writes
On 10/03/2016 21:16, T i m wrote:
Hi all,



So, are the dryers that are catching fire typically the condenser
type?

Cheers, T i m


The vented Indesit tumble drier that I bought recently was one of the
types that caught fire. In theory the design was modified before the
product was despatched. I must remember to keep checking the filter.


I suspect, but I'm only guessing that some accountant deep in the heart
of Indesit decided to save two quid and removed the overheat cut out.
--
bert

On 10/03/2016 22:46, bert wrote:
In article , Michael Chare
writes
On 10/03/2016 21:16, T i m wrote:
Hi all,



So, are the dryers that are catching fire typically the condenser
type?

Cheers, T i m


The vented Indesit tumble drier that I bought recently was one of the
types that caught fire. In theory the design was modified before the
product was despatched. I must remember to keep checking the filter.


I suspect, but I'm only guessing that some accountant deep in the heart
of Indesit decided to save two quid and removed the overheat cut out.

Going off topic a bit but I wonder if it would be as efficient to use a
dehumidifier rather than a dryer. I have both but wife uses the dehumid
more now than the dryer, I suppose it depends on the urgency of getting
the clothes dry though.
Just a thought.

On Fri, 11 Mar 2016 00:14:00 +0000, ss wrote:


snip

Going off topic a bit but I wonder if it would be as efficient to use a
dehumidifier rather than a dryer.

We use a dehumidifier to dry some clothes that can't (or shouldn't) be
tumble dried ... like daughters chainsaw trousers or some waterproof
jackets.

I have both but wife uses the dehumid
more now than the dryer, I suppose it depends on the urgency of getting
the clothes dry though.

Yes, that can play a big part, plus suitable space to turn into a
drying room / area. For my Mrs a reason 'not' to use a dehumidifier is
the need to hang all the clothes up to dry (rather than just poking
them through a hole in a machine and pulling them out afterwards) and
I'm not sure if dehumidified clothes also need ironing or come out as
soft? (I know my flannel becomes rigid if the dehumidifier is left on
in the utility room with the bathroom door left open).

Just a thought.

And an interesting one, certainly re energy efficiency and assuming
all things are equal.

Cheers, T i m

On 11/03/16 00:24, T i m wrote:
On Fri, 11 Mar 2016 00:14:00 +0000, ss wrote:


snip

Going off topic a bit but I wonder if it would be as efficient to use a
dehumidifier rather than a dryer.

We use a dehumidifier to dry some clothes that can't (or shouldn't) be
tumble dried ... like daughters chainsaw trousers or some waterproof
jackets.

I have both but wife uses the dehumid
more now than the dryer, I suppose it depends on the urgency of getting
the clothes dry though.

Yes, that can play a big part, plus suitable space to turn into a
drying room / area. For my Mrs a reason 'not' to use a dehumidifier is
the need to hang all the clothes up to dry (rather than just poking
them through a hole in a machine and pulling them out afterwards) and
I'm not sure if dehumidified clothes also need ironing or come out as
soft? (I know my flannel becomes rigid if the dehumidifier is left on
in the utility room with the bathroom door left open).

They are not as soft which is a downside. And things are more crinkly.

On Friday, 11 March 2016 00:24:34 UTC, T i m wrote:
On Fri, 11 Mar 2016 00:14:00 +0000, ss wrote:

Going off topic a bit but I wonder if it would be as efficient to use a
dehumidifier rather than a dryer.

200w 50% of the time for 1hr plus 40w for a big fan = 140WH.
Versus TD at 2kW taking, I don't know 20 or 30 mins = 660 to 1000 WH.


We use a dehumidifier to dry some clothes that can't (or shouldn't) be
tumble dried ... like daughters chainsaw trousers or some waterproof
jackets.

I have both but wife uses the dehumid
more now than the dryer, I suppose it depends on the urgency of getting
the clothes dry though.

Yes, that can play a big part,

Most things are dry in an hour if you add a fan.

plus suitable space to turn into a
drying room / area.

the wardrobe

For my Mrs a reason 'not' to use a dehumidifier is
the need to hang all the clothes up to dry (rather than just poking
them through a hole in a machine and pulling them out afterwards) and

most clothes need to be hung up anyway, so no extra step.

I'm not sure if dehumidified clothes also need ironing or come out as
soft? (I know my flannel becomes rigid if the dehumidifier is left on
in the utility room with the bathroom door left open).

The only thing I find comes out any stiffer is towels, but only very mildly. It's not an issue IRL.


Tim Watts:
My dehumidifier (compressor type) takes around 200-250W and about 4
hours of run time to dry clothes (they do have some extra air-drying
time overnight without the dehumidifier running - so I'd say it has to
be a lot more efficient.

If you add a fan that drops dramatically.


NT

On 11/03/16 00:14, ss wrote:

Going off topic a bit but I wonder if it would be as efficient to use a
dehumidifier rather than a dryer. I have both but wife uses the dehumid
more now than the dryer, I suppose it depends on the urgency of getting
the clothes dry though.
Just a thought.

My dehumidifier (compressor type) takes around 200-250W and about 4
hours of run time to dry clothes (they do have some extra air-drying
time overnight without the dehumidifier running - so I'd say it has to
be a lot more efficient.

There are dehumidifier based tumble dryers coming onto the market, I
think Miele might do one.

Tim Watts wrote:
On 11/03/16 00:14, ss wrote:

Going off topic a bit but I wonder if it would be as efficient to use a
dehumidifier rather than a dryer. I have both but wife uses the dehumid
more now than the dryer, I suppose it depends on the urgency of getting
the clothes dry though.
Just a thought.

My dehumidifier (compressor type) takes around 200-250W and about 4
hours of run time to dry clothes (they do have some extra air-drying
time overnight without the dehumidifier running - so I'd say it has to
be a lot more efficient.

I wonder how they compare with a gas tumble dryer though?

Tim

On Thu, 10 Mar 2016 21:45:52 +0000, Michael Chare
wrote:

On 10/03/2016 21:16, T i m wrote:
Hi all,



So, are the dryers that are catching fire typically the condenser
type?



The vented Indesit tumble drier that I bought recently was one of the
types that caught fire.

Ah ok thanks.

In theory the design was modified before the
product was despatched.

I don't suppose you know what caught fire on that particular model?
Was it lint on the heater element (that seems most likely if it's
allowed to happen by bad design, fault or poor (user) maintenance).

I must remember to keep checking the filter.

Are these 'filters' different on different machines (as I've only ever
had this one TD)? On ours it's just some mesh on the inside of the
door opening that you scoop / wipe off with your fingers after every
load?

Cheers, T i m

In message , T i m
writes
On Thu, 10 Mar 2016 21:45:52 +0000, Michael Chare
wrote:

On 10/03/2016 21:16, T i m wrote:
Hi all,



So, are the dryers that are catching fire typically the condenser
type?



The vented Indesit tumble drier that I bought recently was one of the
types that caught fire.

Ah ok thanks.

In theory the design was modified before the
product was despatched.

I don't suppose you know what caught fire on that particular model?
Was it lint on the heater element (that seems most likely if it's
allowed to happen by bad design, fault or poor (user) maintenance).

I must remember to keep checking the filter.

Are these 'filters' different on different machines (as I've only ever
had this one TD)? On ours it's just some mesh on the inside of the
door opening that you scoop / wipe off with your fingers after every
load?
Another one bites the dust...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35790099

Mine's a Hotpoint, vented, with a filter that slides up out of the
bottom of the door frame. I got an email yesterday saying they expect to
repair it in November. Their sense of urgency is quite impressive .


Cheers, T i m



--
Nick (=----)

On Sat, 12 Mar 2016 08:19:09 +0000, Nick
wrote:

snip

I don't suppose you know what caught fire on that particular model?
Was it lint on the heater element (that seems most likely if it's
allowed to happen by bad design, fault or poor (user) maintenance).

I must remember to keep checking the filter.

Are these 'filters' different on different machines (as I've only ever
had this one TD)? On ours it's just some mesh on the inside of the
door opening that you scoop / wipe off with your fingers after every
load?

Another one bites the dust...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35790099

Mine's a Hotpoint, vented, with a filter that slides up out of the
bottom of the door frame. I got an email yesterday saying they expect to
repair it in November. Their sense of urgency is quite impressive .

Oooerr. ;-(

So, are these TD's designed is such a way that any lint that gets past
the filter can get onto the heater element?

As I said, I believe on mine it's: Air intake at the back of the
cabinet heater drum filter fan exhaust.

I think if I had a TD that was on the hit list I'd be tempted to just
replace it (you could always sell if after it got updated) but how
would you know that the new one wouldn't appear on the list in the
future? ;-(

Cheers, T i m

On 12/03/2016 09:08, T i m wrote:

I think if I had a TD that was on the hit list I'd be tempted to just
replace it (you could always sell if after it got updated) but how
would you know that the new one wouldn't appear on the list in the
future? ;-(

Hotpoint will replace it with a vented model for £59 or a condensing
model for £99. They install the replacement and take the old one away.
They are currently replacing on dates at the end of this month.

--
F

On 11/03/2016 00:13, T i m wrote:
On Thu, 10 Mar 2016 21:45:52 +0000, Michael Chare
wrote:

On 10/03/2016 21:16, T i m wrote:
Hi all,



So, are the dryers that are catching fire typically the condenser
type?



The vented Indesit tumble drier that I bought recently was one of the
types that caught fire.

Ah ok thanks.

In theory the design was modified before the
product was despatched.

I don't suppose you know what caught fire on that particular model?
Was it lint on the heater element (that seems most likely if it's
allowed to happen by bad design, fault or poor (user) maintenance).

I must remember to keep checking the filter.

Are these 'filters' different on different machines (as I've only ever
had this one TD)? On ours it's just some mesh on the inside of the
door opening that you scoop / wipe off with your fingers after every
load?


You can look at the filters on the different machines in Currys. On
ours, the filter is just inside the door. You lift it out to clean.
The problem was caused in part by people not cleaning the filters.
Clearly if the filter gets blocked there is no airflow and the whole
machine will get to hot, especially near the heating element.

I am aware that the filter on the previous machine we had did not get
cleaned that often! The replacement machine has sensor drying.


--
Michael Chare

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
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On Sat, 12 Mar 2016 09:52:21 +0000, Michael Chare
wrote:

snip

Are these 'filters' different on different machines (as I've only ever
had this one TD)? On ours it's just some mesh on the inside of the
door opening that you scoop / wipe off with your fingers after every
load?


You can look at the filters on the different machines in Currys.

Sounds like a fun day out. ;-)

On
ours, the filter is just inside the door. You lift it out to clean.

That sounds like the filter design in both of our dehumidifiers.

The problem was caused in part by people not cleaning the filters.
Clearly if the filter gets blocked there is no airflow and the whole
machine will get to hot, especially near the heating element.

Another 'problem' with that design might be (especially if the filter
is flat) it's not too difficult to knock some lint off the filter and
into the machine whilst cleaning it?

I am aware that the filter on the previous machine we had did not get
cleaned that often!

Ours stays put so there is *no* chance of any lint getting past it (if
already caught by it etc) and because it's visible every time you open
the door *very easy* to clear every use. In fact, because there is a
chance that you will pull the lint out as you pull the clothes out you
automatically clean the filter before you do.

I wonder if things were just designed better in those days as I have
often heard people say things like 'they don't make things like they
used to' and 'I wish this new thing was as easy to use as our old
one'.

The replacement machine has sensor drying.

Ours is supposed to have that but I'm not sure how accurate it is.

Cheers, T i m