View Full Version : American Style Tumble Dryers
We have just come back from our 7th Florida visit with the wife as usual going on about how she would love a tumble dryer like the ones we get in the villas.
I know I have seen them in the UK before as my local Makro used to have them in. I have done some searching on the net and Amazon has one by whirlpool listed but says out of stock and not known when back in stock.
I found another company on the net listing a Maytag one with POA next to it. Following an email to them I got the reply that Mayteg no longer made them for the UK and she was not aware of any other manufacturers.
Have any of you got one of these in the UK or know of anywhere I could buy one from?
florida4sun
09-08-2012, 22:10
Costco usually have them.
I think I got mine from Comet some years ago. It is called Capacity Plus by Admiral. I also have a large US style top-loader washing made by LG, again probably from Comet.
Andrena
We have Whirlpool US washer & dryer here (U.K.) - but about 5 years old.
Have looked at Whirlpool, Maytag, Hotpoint, Admiral, as many wholesaler websites as I can access & EBay (usually a source of everything !!).
Suprisingly, I can't find anyone importing U.S. style units - either washers or dryers into U.K. now....
Maybe they weren't good sellers ???
We did have a Maytag washing machine and a Maytag tumble dryer. Everything was ok until it went wrong, it was impossible finding someone to deal with this. I also tried to get info from Maytag as to who their recommended repairers were, they were not very forthcoming with this! They may be well supported in the USA but certainly not in the UK. We have now replaced both. As stated earlier, there are other large capacity ones available in the UK and well supported for repairs, if needed.
stephen williams
11-08-2012, 13:21
Try Costco uk they have them
Thanks for all the advice, I have tried the costco website and while the .com site shows products available the .co.uk site does not and as yet I do not know anyone who has access to Costco. My son thinks a friend at work has a cotsco card so maybe something will come of that. Although I am concerned about aftersales support.
Dads_Taxi
12-08-2012, 07:28
Costco's after sales support is superb. Don't let that put you off.
I'm fairly certain I've seen US style dryers in Costco too. Hopefully someone on here will report back soon. Unfortunately I'm not able to go to Costco for a fix of their pizza for a few days due to work commitments, otherwise I'd shoot down there and do some research for you Vickk !
Dads_Taxi
12-08-2012, 07:29
PS, but you're right, their UK website is pants!
caroline
12-08-2012, 07:35
I have a US style Whirlpool washer and dryer - I bought them about 8 or 9 years a go and they're still going strong although I did have the thermostat replaced in the dryer 2 weeks ago, no problem with aftersales from Whirlpool.
florida4sun
12-08-2012, 07:54
Yoi can look around costco for free, just ask for a visitors pass. To biy you will need to join up at around £20. If you have business they usuallyoffer free passes.
CERICROWLEY
12-08-2012, 10:24
Membership to costco has to be paid for, by both individual and business. I am a business executive member.
Anyone that has a valid self employment code can become a business member, individual membership is for certain employee groups only (copy and pasted below)
Qualified as:
Chartered Architect
Optician
Pharmacist
Chartered Surveyor
Qualified Accountant
Solicitor/Barrister
Dentist
Magistrate/Advocate
Chartered/Civil Engineer
Current or retired employee of:
Banking/Finance
Civil Servant
Education
Fire/Rescue
Insurance
Local Government
Airline
Post Office
Police Force
Medical/Health Service
Cheers for the info. Does being a school dinner lady count as in education :):)
Should count as Local Goverment as they are the people that pay you.
We joined several years ago without any evidence of any type of employment. However about 3 years ago we had let our membership lapse and when we were in Florida we wanted to go to the one there. We once more had no problems and were not asked for any details other than our Social Security number. It is much cheaper than here in the UK and we also got an Amex Card from Costco and get points with it. We can use our US Costco memberhship here in the UK.
Andrena
Dads_Taxi
17-08-2012, 18:17
Hi Vickk,
I was in Costco today, and I don't know if this qualifies as an American style dryer, but they have this model:
Whirlpool Electric Dryer 3LCED9100WQ
at £660 inc. VAT.
Cheers Dave, not exactly what I was looking for but according to Whirlpool uk it is the closest thing they make these days. It's a comercial quality dryer and thats a pretty good price compared to what I have seen on the net
Dads_Taxi
14-11-2012, 18:03
PS, but you're right, their UK website is pants!
As a post script to this thread, Costco have recently re-vamped their UK website and even include on-line shopping now, both to members and non-members.
Just a small point, but our US type tumble dryer had to be hard wired directy to the fuse box, they cant be just pluged in to a wall socket.
florida4sun
14-11-2012, 20:29
The ones sold in costco come with 3 pin plugs. The one you have must be around 20amps which would require its own circuit in the uk.
Just a small point, but our US type tumble dryer had to be hard wired directy to the fuse box, they cant be just pluged in to a wall socket.
Dads_Taxi
15-11-2012, 17:44
Just a small point, but our US type tumble dryer had to be hard wired directy to the fuse box, they cant be just pluged in to a wall socket.
Is that in the UK?
florida4sun
16-11-2012, 10:44
They have their own 20 amp 240v circuit in the USA. Although some do mow run on 110v. Dedicated circuit depends on the amp rating of the appliance. Once you go over 13amp in the uk, the appliance needs its own radial circuit (ie immersion heaters, electric cookers etc) anything that exceeds the standard 13amp plug top.
Dads_Taxi
16-11-2012, 18:39
Yes, I agree on all points. My query was whether Paul H's tumble dryer is here in the UK. A 5KW Tumble Dryer would make the meter spin!
We have been the proud owners (in U.K.) of both a Whirlpool U.S. style washer & dryer since 2004.
I've just looked out the instal. info. for the dryer.
Suggests a dedicated 30amp supply !!!
It's rated 4575W with a 9.1Kg load capacity...
Wired it on it's own spur from the fuse box.
Although it uses a fair amount of 'lektrickery whilst running, it'll dry a full load in about 1/4 hour !!!
Beats the (U.K.) condenser dryer we had previously by hours & is actually cheaper to run 'cause it doesn't run for long....
U.S. top-loading washer has no heater, relies on domestic H/W supply at mains pressure so uses very little power.
Don't think either are now imported into U.K. probably poor sellers as both are biggish units - not suited to the normal "under the kitchen worktop" installation !!
Are you still looking for them? I have a brand new washer and dryer still boxed that I might be selling. We are near LHR.
jeansusrentals
04-12-2012, 14:43
Major disaster! Just arrived home from the Villa, and DH has informed me that my US Whirlpool washine machine had blown the timer switch!!! Not one new top loader, apart from a small 6kg one, to be had anywhere in Scotland. Searched on line for spare part - Whirlpool were charging £179.00 - then went on to a US site - the same part posted airmail is $69 - so hopefully it's on it's way. If this had happened last week while I was there - I could have got the part for $48!! :(
Jean
Are you still looking for them? I have a brand new washer and dryer still boxed that I might be selling. We are near LHR.
No sorry, bought an LG 8kg sensor dryer a few weeks ago