You can't go wrong with Miele. Their condenser dryers work just as well and as fast as their vented models. You might also want to look at the Bosch Axxis line of laundry appliances. My MIL has had an Axxis laundry pair with a condenser dryer for about 3-1/2 years. She's been very pleased. A couple of things you might want to consider before going with a combo machine. Typically, you can only dry loads that are half the size of a maximum wash load. That means if the machine can accommodate a 12 lb. wash load, you'll only be able to dry 6 lbs (dry laundry) at one time. You'll either have to remove half the wet wash load before starting the dry cycle, or you'll be limited to half-size wash loads if you want the machine to automatically switch to the drying cycle after the wash cycle. Be sure to ask about this when buying and consult the owner's manual. Salesmen are notorious for forgetting to mention this little detail. Also, the combo machines generally aren't as fast at drying a load as a stand-alone condenser dryer. Some can take up to twice as long. And finally, if you typically wash multiple loads in succession, doing laundry with a combo machine will take you much longer. You won't be able to move a load of washed laundry from the washer to the dryer, then start a new load of wash while the first load is drying. You'll have to wait for the first load to wash AND dry before you can start a second load. Hope this helps.

It seems that all of Europe is moving away from vented dryers because they use more energy than modern heat-pump dryers. I was just trying to give a reason why Miele might have done away with offering condenser dryers in the US. I maybe should have said "It seems that all of Europe is moving away from vented dryers and traditional condenser dryers because they use more energy than modern heat-pump dryers." What you have heard about longer drying times, more heat output, higher energy usage etc. is true for all condenser dryers. Yes, "traditional" condenser dryers do use more energy... in comparison to the alternative the OP had in mind, which was a vented dryer. Seen as a whole, vented dryers get the worst energy efficiency rating according to the European Energy Label, though. Vented Dryer - C Rating Condenser Dryer - B rating Heat-Pump Dryer - up to A+++ Rating I will say that the system is a little biased because condenser dryers do blow a lot of hot, dry air into the room, which helps them to be seen as more energy efficient, while vented dryers suck heated air out of the house, which, in turn, increases heating costs for the home owner. Alex

@ czechchick2: Yeah, these washer/dryer combo units all use water to condense the steam during the drying cycle. Stand-alone units use air instead. @ vackeer: Well, it's nothing that you MUST do - it's like extra maintenance/care. Last time I did it was probably a year ago. Since then, the dryer has been run every week for, I guess, six hours. That's a lot of laundry. Considering this, there isn't really alot of build-up. The whole process of cleaning the dryer takes maybe an hour. Technically, dryer sheets should work even better in a condenser dryer as it constantly recirculates the scented air, rather than exhausting it and drawing in fresh air. I can't give you a real-life answer, though. I have never used Bounce or the like in our dryer as it's not sold over here. I could have it imported via eBay - but that'd cost me BIG bucks.

[This Appliances FAQ article was moved to the Laundry Room FAQ on 28 December 2004.]