Tumble Dryer Sizes & Formats
Introduction
The major aesthetic issue with UK tumble dryers is their dark porthole which can spoil the lines of any kitchen. Obviously, this can be overcome by using an integrated machine, which will cost significantly more than its freestanding equivalent but does completely hide the entire of the machine’s fascia with a panel to match the rest of the kitchen cabinets. Alternatively, various manufacturers have produced machines that have a plain flat door that covers the porthole.
Generally speaking, the majority of tumble dryers available on the UK market are full sized, however if you search hard you will find a couple of alternatives.
Full size
The vast majority of tumble dryers, whether freestanding or integrated, are supplied with full size dimensions to fit beneath a worktop and/or between cabinets.
These machines can often be stacked on top of a washing machine, usually of the same brand. To do this you will need a stacking kit from the manufacturer that is suitable for the particular pair of machines that you have.
- Full sized machines are 85cm (33½in) high x 60cm (24in) wide x 58cm (23in) deep.
Compact
A couple of compact models are available on the UK market to fit where space is tight.
- Dimensions are 69cm (27in) high x 49cm (19¼in) wide x 48cm (19in) deep.
Top Loading
Popular in the US because of their large load capacity, there are also a handful of ‘top loading’ washer dryers available on the UK market. These can be of a range of sizes some of them very large indeed.
- Slimline top loaders measure 63cm (24¾in) high x 44cm (17¼in) wide x 44cm (17¼in) deep.
Remember, though, that these cannot be hidden beneath a worktop as access to the door needs to be maintained.
Operating methods
Tumble dryers use two methods to extract moisture from damp laundry;
- Vented dryers - expel the hot, damp air to the outside via a large, flexible hose. This requires that the hose is either permanently fixed to a vent on an external wall, or that it is hung out of a window each time the dryer is in operation. These machines can have their vent on the back, side or front of the unit, and there are also those with multiple outlets, so be sure to select the appropriate model to suit your kitchen or laundry layout.
- Condenser dryers - do not need to be vented through an exterior wall, so they are more flexible since they can be positioned against any wall in a room, but they also tend to be more expensive than their vented counterparts. These machines remove moisture from the laundry by carrying the hot, damp air away to a reservoir where the moisture is condensed and stored. These reservoirs need to be emptied regularly.
Further information and useful links
- Find a Kitchen Appliances supplier near you
- Find an Electrician near you
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