Drum dryers for clothes: condensation and ventilation types, the use of narrow machines

During drying on city balconies, dust and dirt settle on freshly washed clothes, rain and debris from the upper floors also fall on them. Many housewives no longer want to dry things like that. Drum dryers can solve the problem. Although these machines are less common than washing machines, they are gaining in popularity. This technique allows you to dry things quickly and without problems.

Types of dryers

You can dry your laundry in different ways: you can squeeze it hard, treat it with steam or a stream of hot and dry air. The maximum effect is obtained by the simultaneous use of all these methods, on which the principle of operation of modern machines for drying clothes is based. Manufacturers produce three types of such devices.

Automatic drum machine

These are the most popular devices produced by many well-known manufacturers. They look like washing machines - they also have rotating drums. The devices are equipped with heaters and fans that create hot air flows.

When working, a triple effect is obtained:

• the heater quickly evaporates moisture;
• evaporation occurs evenly due to the air movement that the fan creates;
• the rotating drum makes light ironing of dried laundry.

Modern models are equipped with moisture drying indicators, timers and a digital display that allows you to set the program and control the operation of the device.

The dryer is installed in a row with the washing machine, which ensures the unity of the design of the room. Many models have brackets for wall mounting so that damp laundry can be immediately transferred from the washing machine to the tumble dryer and the drying program can be started. Products have different capacities: 5, 7 or 10 kg of clothing. The more spacious the car, the more expensive it costs.

Drum machines have their own advantages and disadvantages. Their pluses:

• compact size and fairly large capacity;
• high drying speed;
• steam treatment of things, which is why it is much more convenient to iron them;
• numerous work programs.

The disadvantages include their rather high cost.

Cabinet and dryer

A drying cabinet is an alternative to a tumble dryer. It really looks like a wardrobe with hangers and laundry baskets. The device is rather bulky, but it has its advantages:

• on hangers, you can place things in such a way that they dry quickly and do not wrinkle;
• even large-volume outerwear can be dried there;
• The closet can be used to ventilate items such as seasonal clothes after long storage or raincoats after rain.

When buying a drying cabinet, you need to pay attention to the installation method. Some models are simply plugged into an outlet, while others are in addition to ventilation.

The washer-dryer saves space in the apartment. It removes moisture from laundry in just 2-3 hours. But some models have the following feature: before drying, you have to partially unload the drum, otherwise the hot air will not be able to cover all the washed laundry. Most often, there are 2 dryings per wash. But in many modern machines, this problem has already been solved.

How the devices work

When the laundry dries, moist air is formed, which must be completely removed from the drum, or moisture must be removed from it. Depending on the design solution drum dryers are divided into the following types:

1. Condensing. Moisture in them is removed by condensation. During the drying process, the air in the tumble dryer heats up and draws moisture from the laundry. When it cools, it sinks to the bottom and forms condensation. The moisture flows through a special hole into a special reservoir, which is then manually emptied. The advantage of the condensing unit is that it does not need to be connected to a ventilation pipe. This makes installation much easier. Such dryers can be installed in the hallway or dressing room and not clutter up the bathroom. They are very popular with buyers, many manufacturers produce only condensing models.
2. Ventilation. The design of these devices is simpler than that of condensing devices, and they are more resistant to breakage. In them, humid air is removed from the tanks into ventilation. Such models are considered obsolete. Some owners of dryers try to operate them without being connected to ventilation. But in this case, humid air goes directly into the room, which causes mold and mildew. Ventilation models are preferable to use in private houses and summer cottages, where humid air can be taken out into the street. In apartments where there is no possibility of connecting to an air duct, it is better to install such a machine closer to the ventilation hole.
3. Heat pump machine. This is an improved model of the condensing type machine. It is equipped with a cooling circuit similar to that used in refrigerators. In these machines, the air is cooled much faster and the condensate is removed more intensively, which significantly reduces the drying time. The energy consumption in them is not much higher than in conventional condensing machines. This is because the heat generated by moisture condensation is used to heat the air. For machines with a heat pump, the price is slightly higher than for standard types, but it pays off by saving time.

Selection Tips

There are various factors to consider when choosing the right reel machine. Experts advise when buying a washing machine to pay attention to the following characteristics:

• Drum capacity. It should be no less than the capacity of the existing washing machine. This is necessary so that the washed laundry can be dried in one load.
• Functionality. It depends on what kind of laundry will be dried in the machine. It is desirable that there be a function for working with delicate fabrics. In this case silk and wool can be dried in the machine. Many consumers prefer machines with a humidity control function, which allows them not to overdry their laundry. So, extra drying can be done if the clothes are placed in a storage cabinet. For ironing, it is best to leave the laundry slightly damp.
• Dimensions. The height and depth of the appliance must be taken into account so that it can be placed in the bathroom. For installation in confined spaces, manufacturing companies produce narrow tumble dryers up to 45 cm wide. They can easily be placed in the bathroom next to the washing machine.
• Principle of operation. You should not buy a vending machine if there is no ventilation hole or window near the installation site. From condensing machines, it is better to choose models with a heat pump, which prevents heat generation in the room and reduces energy consumption.
• Manufacturing material. Preference should be given to automatic machines with drums made of stainless steel.
• Energy intensity. Buying machines with energy class A, A + or A ++ will reduce the consumption of electrical energy.

Tumble dryers reduce household chores. They allow you to get clean, dry clothes with a minimum of time and energy. Although they dry things well, they do not allow creases and folds to appear on them. There are various models of drying machines in stores, and you can always choose a product that is suitable in terms of power, size and principle of operation.