Does anyone have any good, up to date information on the new "ventless" condensation clothes dryers? I'm tempted to buy one for my New York Cit apartment as the laundry I used to use closed recently and the drop off service just raised their prices to the pont that I can pay for the washer and dryer in about 6 to 7 months. The building I live in does permit me to have a washing machine and dryer, but the dryer has to be "ventless." The new machines from Bosch and Ariston sound great, but I don't know anyone who has actually used them. I remember, but am not sure about, hearing that older models of the "ventless" dryers didn't work very well and took a long time to dry the clothes.

Eric,

       LG Electronics sells an excellent design of the all-in-one washer and dryer combo. A large capacity model and a small capacity model(actually there's a 3rd model--a small one also but I do not recommend it). Inspite of the fact that these are two appliances built as one---they are amazingly simple to service. The only drawback to using a *condensate-dry* type dryer is that it can take approx two hours to dry light fabrics and up to 4 hours to dry heavier fabrics(towels/denims etc). For those who live in homes without exhaust venting--this is really the *only* option.  I'll post the models numbers of the 2 models in a following post...

John

Condenser dryers are not as fast and efficient as vented dryers, but they are a very valid alternative if you don't have the option of installing a vent. Bosch and Miele (and many other European brands that aren't available here) make decent condenser dryers. I would probably stay away from Ariston (and Italian company). It doesn't seem as if they have a good service network in place and the performance is also questionable.

The advantage of a separate dryer over a combo unit is the larger capacity of a dryer. A dryer is supposed to have almost the double capacity than the washer, which doesn't work in an all-in-one unit. A separate condenser dryer can dry a full size load in a reasonable amount of time (depending on the spin speed of the washer, maybe about 25% more than a vented dryer) without excessive wrinkling. In a combo unit you can either do just half capacity loads and get good results, or you do a full load and risk excessive drying times and wrinkling.

If I had to pick between a laundromat, a laundry service or having a washer and a ventless dryer, I would definitely choose the latter. If there isn't even enough room for a w/d pair, then a combo unit is a decent last resort.

Marion

Okay.

If space is a major consideration...

LG offers the model:  WM3431HW

Drum Size:  2.44 cu.ft

Dimensions: 23 5/8" Width X 33 1/4" Height X 23 13/16" Depth (Can be installed under the counter in many cases)

Door swings out another 25 inches when opened.

MSRP: $ 1599.00

 

If space is not a concern...

Model: WM3677HW

Drum Size: 3.77 cu.ft

Dimensions: 27" Width X 38 11/16" Height X 29 3/4" Depth

With the door open--the TOTAL depth is 50 13/16 inches.

MSRP: $1899.00

 

I've found that if there's (3) or more occupants living under the same roof---it takes a really long time for everyone to get ALL of their laundry washed and dried. Some have asked if there was any way to "speed" up the drying process. The answer is no. The main reason for a condensate dryer or washer-dryer all in one--is to allow those without traditional venting or living arrangements(i.e. high-rise community) to even be able to have and use their own set.

 

John, true, the only way to speed up the drying process is to have a larger drum. A washer and dryer set with the same footprint offer a relatively small washer drum and a dryer drum with an appropriate capacity. Those really don't have terrible drying times. In

We had a w/d in Germany - where practically no house has dryer vents - and with the fast spin speed of the FL (1,200 rpm if I remember correctly) the drying time was roughly an hour. We had a 7kg FL and a matching ventless dryer. We didn't have a place for hang drying, so I was very glad to have the condenser dryer. Combo units are also somewhat common in Germany, but you really just want to go that way if there is NO other option.

Marion

Thank so much John and Marion. Your advice and recommendations are very much appreciated!

Interesting information.  Wer'e currenly considering buying an apartment in Brooklyn that has space for a stackable separate washer and dryer in a  laundry closet, but no venting.  We've got a 220 volt outlet, so it looks like we should go with a stackable and separate washer and dryer. 

My only question is:  does anyone have experience with a ventless condensation dryer as far as capacity goes?  I was looking at the Bosch units at Lowe's and they only hold about half as much as a vented dryer.  Miele sells "high capacity" condensation dryers, but they don't provide any quantitative measure of how much the dryer holds.  I don't relish the thought of having to do 3 dryer loads for every wash load.

Thanks in advance.

I know this is coming late to the party, but FWIW - ASKO makes a ventless dryer, also.

I am going to nudge CR for them to include these dryer types in their next review, so that they can give a more scientific review of their energy efficiency and other costs.

Robert,

We did look at these some time ago. They take a long time to dry..very long, even hours. They are used as a last resort where venting cannot be accomplished due to codes or location. We don't recommend them.

What about the Bosch Axxis condensation dryer?

This seems to work better.

I understand that Bosch came out with a new version in 1996.  Have you reviewed this?  What are the largest capacity ventless dryers available?   The only options for me is a conventional dryer vented into the box (kit sold by Home Depot) or a ventless.  With the box one must add water regularly to avoid excessive lint being blown into the laundry rooom through the vents in the box.  We had a 1992 Maytag Heavy Duty Extra Capacity dryer attached to the box and it worked just fine until this year, but would like to explore buying a ventless before purchasing  a new dryer.   Dryer times are not excessive using the kit , as the dryer drum is full-sized.  I see no difference in times from when I lived in a house with a vented dryer.  Only the lint is an issue, if I periodically forget to add water to the box-which I do from time to time.  Also would like to know if I can use the new steam feature with my ventless kit if I don't get a  condenser dryer. 

  There are many people living in condos or apartments that have space and wiring for washers and dryers that would like to know about these options.  For example, in my building there are 82 apartments each containing a full-sized washer and full-sized dryer but no vents.   I hope CR will take a fresh look sometime soon.

Irma

 

Eric:

I own the Bosch Axxis model (WTE86300).  I just posted my review; in sum, I recommend it, but be sure to get the extended warranty.  In one year, I needed to have a condensation hose reattached (minor), and the control board replaced (major).  Also, if you need low-temp drying, you might have issues...mine is like a blast furnace at any setting.

That said, it seems to be a workhorse, and the ventless / internal condensation is great...that all works well.  I live in a 1920's vintage apartment, and though I could have penetrated the wall, my contractor convinced me there was no need, and he was right.

All things considered, I would recommend it, but please get the extended warranty.  Good luck,

Jeff

Hi. This is kind of a late reply to your post, but I just joined. I purchased an LG combo unit. It looks sleek, and fits nicely under the counter. However, it is the most sensitive appliance I have ever owned. Over the course of the last year, the electronic boards have been replaced three times, and now, every time I use the machine, I get some sort of error, along the lines of "unplug the machine and call the factory". I have been trying to get the machine replaced.
Option two is to replace it with a different model, such as the Haier. Do you have any comments on either of these issues?
Thanks.

Hi,

Have you had any experiences with the Miele ventless dryers? 

Thanks.

My Company sells LG ventless condensing dryers.  The technology has been used in Europe for almost 40 years and the air-to-air condensers in the stackable dryers is about the same as conventional models.  They work ont he same principle as a room dehunidifier- think of the dryer drum as a very small room.  The average dry time is about 48 minutes, and 55 or so for a load of towels.  Because they do not throw away 10,000 cubic feet of conditioned air but re-cycle the already heated air, they use about 30% of the electric.  The heat gain for an adjacent room is 1-2 degrees.  You also do not have to heat or cool the replacement air.  The washer/dryer combination machines aren't as efficient at drying but they do have a timer so your laundry can be done while you are somewhere else.

Hello,

How loud are the ventless dryer units you've all mentioned above?

I have an Ariston that is so loud, when you run it you can't hear the person next to you shouting in your ear.

I HAVE to replace it, but I can't deal with another loud, rumbling dryer.

Please help!

Thank you!

I would also like to know if people are happy with the Miele ventless dryers.  I am in Canada, and I believe my options are the Bosch or the Miele, as it has to be a ventless in our condo.  I would appreciate any advice on which to buy.  Our old washer just bit the dust, so there is some urgency.

Thanks

Actually John, There is one more option, a vent kit. This is a very short tube, just like the standard ones, that have the one end going into the rear of the dryer and the other end is situated in a container that just needs a little water. I have not tried it yet as I have not found a portable dryer. Just way too much information out there and I don't want a piece of junk. Found some interesting news on FREE SHIPPING, beware call company ask questions regarding surcharges, lift charges, these charges are billed directly by the freight companies.

good luck