What is a self-cleaning condenser?
A self-cleaning condenser is a feature available to clothes dryers when they dry your laundry using a condenser. These are the heat pump dryer and the condenser dryer. Most clothes dryers with a self-cleaning condenser operate with a heat pump. This is also the most energy efficient dryer on the market today.
Normally, you will need to manually clean the heat exchanger of your dryer. It is generally recommended that you do this once a month. This will help your dryer last longer and keep it drying properly. If your tumble dryer has a self-cleaning condenser, you do not have to worry about this at all. The dryer will be able to clean the condenser itself, by rinsing it while it is drying.
Condender cleaning type
There are tumble dryers on sale with three different ways of cleaning the heat exchanger. We have just discussed the ‘automatic cleaning’ one, which automatically rinses the dryer’s condenser thoroughly during the drying process through the self-cleaning condenser. There are also ‘easy clean’ and ‘manual clean’ dryers available.
- With dryers that have a manual clean, you have to take care of cleaning the condenser yourself. Most dryers require you to remove the heat exchanger from the dryer, and rinse it under the tap or a showerhead. This option is most common with a conventional condenser dryer.
- If you choose a ‘simple clean’ tumble dryer, you will not need to remove the condenser from the dryer. It is fixed. Once a month, you can easily clean the filter with your vacuum cleaner. Most heat pump dryers have a simple clean or auto clean feature, which means a self-cleaning condenser that requires no maintenance at all.
Best dryer with a self-cleaning condenser of 2023
If you are looking for a new dryer, the heat pump dryer is usually the best choice. This is a relatively quiet dryer with low energy consumption. If you choose a heat pump dryer with a self-cleaning condenser, you will soon have a heat pump dryer that is energy efficient. Most models with a self cleaning condenser have energy class A++ or A+++. In the list below, you’ll find our selection of the best dryers with a self-cleaning condenser from 2023. In making this top 5, we looked at things like energy consumption, maximum fill weight (size of the drum), different drying programs, consistent performance and noise level.
1
Best self-cleaning condenser
Pair the GE GTD72GBSNWS top load matching
gas dryer with your favorite GE washer, available in two finishes: Diamond Gray or White. This dryer comes with a total maximum capacity of 7.4 cu. ft., enough to handle up to 15 towels in one drying cycle. Enjoy the large capacity in a reasonable size. This dryer weighs only 118 lbs., and measures 30.5 inches deep, 46 inches high and 27 inches wide. The reversible glass door gives you the opportunity to place it in many different room configurations, and the interior light helps you look for specific articles of clothing when the cycle is done. Enjoy the flexibility of placing your dryer anywhere with up to 120 ft. venting, designed for optimal airflow, wherever you choose to place it.
With 12 different dry cycles, you can choose the right kind of drying for different kind of fabrics, from delicates to bulky/comforter, to mixed loads. The Sanitize Cycle reduced up to 99.8% of common household bacteria so you can keep your loved ones safe. Avoid repeatedly having to set up your dryer with the My Cycle Settings which lets you save your personal preprogrammed settings for future use.
The GE GTD72GBSNWS comes with Sensor Dry which helps prevent over drying of fabrics thanks to the innovative dual thermistor technology which monitors temperature and moisture in the dryer continually. The Wrinkle Care option lets you skip ironing by drying fabrics without heat to reduce creasing. With Quick Dry, you can dry a full load in less time so your clothes will be ready in no time. This dryer lets you choose from four different drying levels and four different temperature options. Heat up your clothes and release set wrinkles with the Warm Up feature. Never forget when it’s time to clean the vent with the Check Vent Alert, so you can keep your dryer functioning at its best.
The GE GTD72GBSNWS does not come with accessories.
The GE GFD55GSSNWW is a front load matching gas dryer with a large maximum load capacity of 7.8 cu. ft. Use the optional stacking kit model GFA28KITN and pair it with the perfect GE washer. Weighing only 135 lbs., and with True32 Closet depth at 32 inches deep, 39.75 inches high and 28 inches wide, you can place this machine in the tightest laundry spaces. Have even more flexibility in placement because it has a reversible glass door that you can see through. The LED interior light lets you see even more clearly so you can find every little article of clothing. The vent can be extended up to 90 ft. long and you get 4-way exhaust options: rear, right, left and bottom for even more installation flexibility.
With 10 different dryer cycles, you can choose the right type of care for your every laundry need from delicates to bulky/bedding. This dryer is smart home enabled with Built-in Wi-Fi so you can control and monitor your laundry with any smart device. When in a hurry, you can finish small loads in 23 minutes or less with Quick Dry. Protect your family with the Sanitize Cycle which helps in sterilizing fabrics by using high temperature levels. The Wrinkle Care option lets you skip ironing by drying fabrics without heat to reduce creasing. Get notified when your load is at the ideal moisture level for ironing or final air drying with Damp Alert. Sensor Dry helps prevent over drying of fabrics thanks to the innovative dual thermistor technology which monitors temperature and moisture in the dryer continually. The Vent Sensor alerts you when it detects blockage and restricting in your vent. Enjoy 5 different temperature options, four separate dryness levels, timed dry and other
GE dryer features like My Settings, delay dry and much, much more.
The GE GFD55GSSNWW does not come with accessories.
The GE GFD85GSPNRS is a great looking, front-load matching gas dryer available in Sapphire Blue or White. The massive total load capacity is at 7.8 cu. ft., allowing you to comfortably dry bulky items like beddings and comforters. Place it in the tightest of spots because it is not only stackable, but also features a true closet depth at 32 inches deep, 39.75 inches high and 28 inches wide. Enjoy even more flexibility in placement with its see-through reversible glass door and 4-way exhaust options with 90 ft. of venting length. See the inside of your drier more easily with its LED interior light. The stainless-steel drum is not only durable but resists rust and prevents clothes from snagging.
Because you have 12 different dryer cycles available to choose from, you can choose the right type of drying for different fabrics. Enjoy the benefits of steam with PowerSteam. Remove wrinkles and static, refresh small loads and keep clothes looking fresh. This dryer is smart home enabled with Built-in Wi-Fi so you can control and monitor your laundry with any smart device. With Washer Link, choose the perfect settings in combination with your GE Washer in one go. Protect your family with the Sanitize Cycle which helps in sterilizing fabrics by using high temperature levels. When in a hurry, you can finish small loads in 23 minutes or less with Quick Dry. Reduce cling static on fabrics at the end of the cycle as a gentle mist spray near the end of the cycle. The Wrinkle Care option lets you skip ironing by drying fabrics without heat to reduce creasing. Get notified when your load is at the ideal moisture level for ironing or final air drying with Damp Alert. Standard features include end-of-cycle signal, adjustable legs, control lock, delay start, lint filter, and much more.
The GE GFD85GSPNRS comes with hoses and a power cord.
The reliable, top load matching drier that you’ve been looking for is the GE GTD42GASJWW gas drier. Get all the benefits of the perfect drier without the bells and whistles that just drive the cost up. The large maximum capacity of 7.2 cu. ft. is enough to handle even the bulkiest of your laundry, like bedding or comforters. It weighs a measly 107 lbs., and measures 29.5 inches deep, 44 inches high, and 27 inches wide, so you have the option to place it in even the tightest laundry spaces. The steel door is reversible to allow you even more flexibility in positioning. Add the 120 ft. of venting capability, and 3 exhaust options (rear, left or bottom) to give you even more freedom. The aluminized alloy drum is low maintenance and resists rusting, chipping and catching your clothes. See the inside of your drier clearly and find small articles of clothing quickly because this drier also has interior lighting. Cased in a classic white color to fit any laundry space.
Forget about the dozens and dozens of wash cycles that just overcomplicate things, all you need is four: Casuals, Delicates, Cottons, and Easy Care. Auto Dry monitors the air temperature in the drier during every cycle to set the optimal drying time. The Wrinkle Care extended tumble reduces wrinkling and creasing by continuing to tumble at the end of the cycle with no heat, preventing wrinkles from setting in. Provide the right temperature for dryer any fabric type with 4 heat selections. Be sure to take out your laundry in time to stop wrinkles with the end-of-cycle signal. The lint filter is positioned in the front so you can easy remove and clean it. The GE GTD42GASJWW is affordable, dependable and does precisely everything you need a trusty drier to do.
The GE GTD42GASJWW does not come with accessories.
If you’re tired of all the extra functions manufacturers throw into dryers just to drive the pricing up, the Maytag MGDC465HW may be the right one for you. Encased in a classic white color, it will look great in any laundry room. This machine is top load matching and runs on gas. It features an impressively large capacity of 7.0 cu. ft., so you can dry even the largest of your loads in the comfort of your home. It weighs only 113 lbs., and measures 28.25 inches deep, 43 inches high and 29 inches wide so it will fit in smaller laundry spaces comfortably. The square metal door is reversible to give you even more flexibility in placement. The exhaust vent is located at the rear. Maytag® Commercial Technology features high-performance parts, including a durable, heavy-duty motor and a 5-rib belt built to last. The heavy-duty motor has the power to handle even your largest loads for years to come. Find smaller articles of clothing more easily with the Built-in interior lighting.
Featuring 12 drying cycles, take on delicates, jeans, and heavy-duty items like beddings comfortably. The wrinkle control cycle controls creases and wrinkles by continuing tumbling your clothes at the end of the cycle with no heat. Four separate temperature options are available for you to choose from so you can dry your clothes the way you want. The IntelliDry® sensor monitors the temperature and moisture level from inside your dryer to make sure that every load is evenly dried. These two sensors stop the cycle when the ideal temperature and moisture level is reached to help prevent over and under drying.
Proudly designed, engineered and assembled in Marion, Ohio, an American pride. The Maytag MGDC465HW gas dryer may be simple, but it gets the job done. This dryer does not come with accessories.
Wash dryers without a condenser
If you want a new dryer without a heat exchanger, you should look at the air-flow dryer. This only needs a heat element when drying your laundry. Because of this, it does not have a condenser. The airflow dryer is very cheap to buy, but in use, it is the least efficient of all the tumble dryers. So be aware that airflow dryers use considerably more energy than condensers or heat pump dryers. This is bad for the environment and will mean high energy bills. If you want to keep your energy use down, choose an energy-efficient heat pump dryer.
When to buy a heat pump dryer with a self-cleaning condenser, what should you look for?
There are a lot of things to consider when picking out a new dryer. Do you want to buy an energy-efficient heat pump dryer that’s low-maintenance? Then you’re well on your way! But of course, there are many more specifications and options to consider when buying a heat pump dryer. Keep the following tips in mind when shopping for a heat pump dryer with a self-cleaning condenser.
Fill weight
The fill weight of a dryer indicates how many pounds of laundry will fit inside the drum. We recommend that you buy a heat pump dryer that has at least the same fill weight as your washing machine. That way, you can always get all your wet laundry into the drum of your dryer. Buying a new dryer and washing machine? Use the chart below as a guide:
- a household of 1 or 2 people will need a 7kg capacity dryer.
- a household of 3 or 4 people will need a 8kg capacity dryer. Most heat pump dryers have a rim weight of 8 kg.
- a large household of 5 people or more would need a dryer with a rim weight of 9 kg or more.
Energy class
The heat pump dryer is more energy efficient than the other types. But there can still be a difference in how energy-efficient two different heat pump dryers are. For this, you look at the energy label. Most heat pump dryers with a self cleaning heat exchanger have energy class A++ or A+++. This can save up to 888 in energy costs over its lifetime, compared to the energy consumption of a conventional condenser tumble dryer.
Drying programmes
Like your washing machine, tumble dryers also have programmes for different types of laundry. There are special programs for wool, shirts, silk, baby clothes and towels. These programs ensure that your laundry dries perfectly and lasts as long as possible. Almost all new heat pump dryers also have an eco-setting, to further reduce energy consumption during drying, or a setting that makes your laundry ‘extra dry’.
Sound level
The sound level of a dryer indicates how loud it is when it is running its drying cycles. Almost all clothes dryers make a lot less noise than the average washing machine, but the noise can still be distracting. If you want a quiet tumble dryer, you should look for one that produces less than 65 dB (decibels). Dryers are divided into 3 categories when it comes to noise level: loud (67 dB or more), normal (65 dB or 66 dB) and quiet (64 dB and under). Most heat pump dryers are quiet, producing 64 dB or less.
Building Quality
The build quality of a dryer tells you something about its sturdiness and expected lifetime. Looking at build quality, all dryers are divided into basic, mid-range and top-range. If the build quality is not mentioned for a heat pump dryer, the brands and prices can also give an indication. According to the Consumers’ Association, these are the best brands for clothes dryers: Miele, Bosch, Siemens, AEG and Samsung. Brands that score better on price-quality ratio are Beko, Indesit and Zanussi.
