Washer/Dryer Condenser Clogging

[Crinkle]

I have regularly needed to de-clog the condenser in an LG F1480 washer/dryer in the 10 years it has been running. Replaced various other bits to keep it going and it has been a good machine. Whilst I know how to de-clog it, it is getting a bit boring now!! Is this issue likely to still occur on newer machines? Do they all still use the same technique? Because it seems to me that the water used to cool the condenser needs to run much more frequently or for a longer period to stop the fluff clogging up. Is there a washer/dryer design that is less susceptible to this problem or maybe easier to disassemble? Considering a newer LG model to replace the F1480, but don't want the same problem. Thank you!

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hello Crinkle. Yes, my feeling is that they all work on virtually exactly the same system. They all suffer from this fundamental flaw of getting clogged up inside the heater element housing, inside the fan, and inside the condensing chamber at the back.  I would expect that some are more susceptible to it than others, though.

The way they work is that cold water only trickles inside the condensing chamber. The water flow is nowhere near strong enough to flush the fluff properly down into the water pump. The fluff and lint created during the drying process also snags on parts inside the heating chamber, and even the fan housing. The fact that these places are often constantly damp assists this clogging.

What would be needed is a filter to catch all of this lint and fluff, like you have inside tumble dryers. As far as I know, no one has tried it. Either because they haven't thought that it is necessary, or something about the design of the washing machine that's also a tumble dryer makes it very difficult or impossible to build in.

Another possible help would be a drying maintenance cycle that flushed water properly through the chamber. I'm not sure if anyone's actually done this or not. But they can't really flush water through the heating chamber or the fan.

To be fair, tumble dryers commonly also get severely clogged up as well due to poor design and function, or users not cleaning filters out properly or often enough. This fluff and lint sometimes even catches fire.

I Personally think washer dryers are rubbish. But if they are the only option, and you definitely need a tumble drying function, I would definitely try a different brand altogether. I would look at either Bosch or AEG though I couldn't tell you whether or not they would be any better. They have good reputations though.

[Crinkle]

Thanks very much for your reply Andy. I appreciate it! The LG is my son's machine and there is also something wrong with the display - I think it has done it's 10 year service. We have a much older Miele washer which is very reliable - only a washer though - no dryer! It's got through several sets of brushes and one pair of dampers so far. Maybe time to recycle that one as well!