Tumble dryer troubleshooting

Tumble dryer troubleshootingcredit

Tumble dryers might not be among the most important appliances in the home, but they are indeed very useful. Today, more and more people are turning to dryers to get their laundry dried, and, certainly, the number of users will only keep growing. However, it’s not uncommon to see this home equipment malfunction occasionally. Luckily, you don’t have to call a technician every time your dryer fails. There are many problems that you can correct yourself. Simple knowledge of common tumble dryer issues and their solutions may be all that’s needed to save you money and time. This post breaks down how to troubleshoot dryers and fix common problems.

Common dryer problems and their solutions

Below are some of the problems you may encounter while using your dryer:

  • Dryer fails to start

If your dryer fails to start, the first thing to check is the power source. Confirm that you’ve plugged it in properly. If you did, then make sure the circuit breaker is intact. Also, check the fuses. If the breaker is tripped, flip it back on. If the fuse on the plug is burnt out, replace it. However, if the power source is OK, check the dryer’s fuse and also the start button. Confirm from the back panel that the start button is appropriately engaged. If the fuse is in place and the start button is engaged correctly, then the only thing left is the door latch. Remove any lint in the latch and clean it to make the door close properly.

  • Dryer suddenly stops after starting properly

If your dryer suddenly stops working in the middle of a drying cycle, then the power was probably cut off by a protection mechanism. The first things to check are the fuses. If every fuse is in working order and the circuit breaker isn’t tripped, check the thermostat and the thermal resistor. You can use a multimeter to check if all these are working correctly.

  • Dryer won’t stop once you open the door

Opening the door should automatically stop the dryer, but if it fails to stop, then check the door switch to confirm it’s intact. A failing timer or start button may also be the cause. Confirm that all these are working properly.

  • Dryer makes too much noise

You should be accustomed to the sound produced by your dryer when it’s working. If it makes abnormal noise, then something may be wrong. Check if your dryer is standing level on the floor. If not, adjust the balancing of your machine, but if it is balanced perfectly, then it may be that you have a loose object inside the drum. Check to confirm coins, keys or any other noise-producing objects haven’t been accidentally loaded into the dryer. Remove all the clothes and check the drum properly and reload the dryer, checking each item carefully before reloading them. The dryer can also make unusual noise if a roller or belt has failed. Check these and also check the idler pulley.

  • Dryer dries too slowly

The most likely problem here is that something is stopping the dryer from circulating damp air. There may be a clogged vent, so clean the vent. It could also be a result of lint build-up. Check the lint filter and clean it if necessary. Also, ensure you didn’t overload the dryer. You may need to remove some of the clothes to allow air to circulate properly.

  • Dryer not heating up

This could be due to a blown fuse or a failed heating component. Check the internal fuses to be sure all of them are fine. If one fuse has blown and the other is working, your dryer will start but won’t heat up. Also, if the thermostat or thermal resistor failed, there will be no heat. You can detect a blown fuse easily by doing a physical examination, while you can use a multimeter to check if the thermostat and the thermal resistor are functioning correctly.

  • Clothes don’t dry

If you’ve completed an automatic cycle, but the clothes are still damp, then it may be that the moisture sensor is failing, or it doesn’t connect properly with the clothes. Try to clean the sensors with cotton wool dampened with surgical spirit. The load may also be too small for the sensors to work effectively. If you’re only drying a couple of items, avoid using an automatic drying cycle, use timed drying instead.

  • Dryer doesn’t spin

You can see that your dryer is powered, but it doesn’t move, or it doesn’t spin properly. This is usually caused by a failing belt. It could also be as a result of a failed idler pulley or glide. Check all of these. If the belt is broken, you can remove it, order a new one and replace it. Note that it’s essential to take photos of your dryer before you remove any component so that when you want to replace it, you’ll know exactly where it was positioned before you removed the part. A problem with spinning could also be due to the motor; although, that’s not a very likely cause.

Washing machine and tumble dryer

 The take-away

You don’t have to call out a technician each time your dryer has a problem. Most of the time, you’ll be able to fix it yourself. All you need to do is work out the likely cause and correct it. Common problems that can arise when using a tumble dryer include failure to start or stop, a slow rate of drying or the dryer failing to heat up. Your dryer may also make a strange noise or struggle to spin.

In any case, make sure you take a photo of the layout of your dryer part and position before you remove it for fixing or replacement. If you need to clean any part of your dryer, do so with a cotton swab moistened with surgical spirit and, if you need to order any component, ensure you order from a place where you can trust the quality of their product.

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Price Points: Soup makers

Soup makers

Winter is the time that we turn to soup to warm us up from the inside out. Hearty bowlfuls full of chunky potatoes and beans or smooth versions containing puréed vegetables and pungent cheese.

Soup makers are relative newcomers to the kitchen appliance world, but boy, are they useful! You can simply fill the jug with your ingredients, turn it on and time the cycle to when you want your meal.

Let’s say you’re planning on going for a lovely winter walk – you can switch on your soup maker as you step out the door… and have a hot, satisfying, tasty meal ready & waiting on your return!

If there are only a couple of you, the basic Morphy Richards compact example would be a good option. It make 1 litre of soup in 19 minutes flat and you can choose either a chunky or smooth setting.

We were sent the Simplissimo to review some time ago, and as its name suggests, it’s really simple to use. You can cook your soup and then keep it on a ‘keep warm’ setting until your ready to eat. This is a great choice if you’re going to be out all day, it has an 8-hour timer function. And to top it off, it’s self-cleaning!

The Vitamix is waaaaay more expensive than the other two models, so what do you get extra? There are 5 settings compared to Simplissimo’s three. It has wireless connectivity technology which Vitamix says, “will not power on until a container is properly seated on the motor base, and certain programs are automatically disabled if the wrong container is used”. Also, I’ve read many customer reviews that claim that the interior of the plastic jug is easily scratched, making it look opaque and worn (The Simplissimo’s jug is made of tough glass). Are these features worth over £450.00? The choice is yours.

Finally, as well as hot food, you can use a soup maker to make cold smoothies – so it will get used in the winter AND summer.

  1. Morphy Richards soup maker 501021: from £29.99 “buy it now”, eBay
  2. Scott Simplissimo Chef all in one cook blender: £195.95, Wayfair
  3. Vitamix Ascent blender A3500i: £675.00, Lakeland

shop soup makers

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Vitamix Ascent blender A3500i
Vitamix Ascent blender A3500i
£675.00
Scott Simplissimo Chef all in one cook blender
Scott Simplissimo Chef all in one cook blender
£195.95
Morphy Richards soup maker 501021
Morphy Richards soup maker 501021
from £29.99 "buy it now"
Vitamix Ascent blender A3500i
Vitamix Ascent blender A3500i
£675.00
Scott Simplissimo Chef all in one cook blender
Scott Simplissimo Chef all in one cook blender
£195.95
Morphy Richards soup maker 501021
Morphy Richards soup maker 501021
from £29.99 "buy it now"
Vitamix Ascent blender A3500i
Vitamix Ascent blender A3500i
£675.00
Scott Simplissimo Chef all in one cook blender
Scott Simplissimo Chef all in one cook blender
£195.95
Morphy Richards soup maker 501021
Morphy Richards soup maker 501021
from £29.99 "buy it now"
Vitamix Ascent blender A3500i
Vitamix Ascent blender A3500i
£675.00
Scott Simplissimo Chef all in one cook blender
Scott Simplissimo Chef all in one cook blender
£195.95
Morphy Richards soup maker 501021
Morphy Richards soup maker 501021
from £29.99 "buy it now"
Vitamix Ascent blender A3500i
Vitamix Ascent blender A3500i
£675.00
Scott Simplissimo Chef all in one cook blender
Scott Simplissimo Chef all in one cook blender
£195.95
Morphy Richards soup maker 501021
Morphy Richards soup maker 501021
from £29.99 "buy it now"

When is it worth repairing appliances over replacing them?

When is it worth repairing appliances over replacing them?

If you have a broken appliance or electronic device in your home, are you more likely to replace it or repair it? These days, a lot of tech is so inexpensive that it’s often better to just scrap the broken item and replace it with something new. To make this even easier, you can usually speak to the company that you bought it from and ask them to send you a new one. Perhaps you have a warranty agreement that lets you replace it for no extra cost. You may even be entitled to a free upgrade depending on the company.

With all of these incentives, it’s easy to see why people are more likely to just replace their broken item as opposed to fixing it. However, there are still a couple of good reasons why you might want to repair something. In fact, there are some situations where it could be beneficial to repair instead of replacing.

Taking apart an Apple laptop

Is the appliance or electronic device old?

If your appliance or device is a little old then you may be able to fix it yourself without much trouble. For example, if it’s a computer with fairly old components then you might be able to find spares on websites like Amazon or eBay. You can usually replace components and swap them out for something with the same or a similar configuration.

However, if it’s an appliance such as a microwave, then you may be better off replacing it since spare parts might be difficult to come by or may be just as expensive as buying a new one. If it’s a very old device then you likely won’t find much info on how to fix it or replace highly specific components.

Someone repairing a computer

Is it cheaper to repair the item as opposed to replacing it?

Since a lot of tech these days can be bought for a very low price, it’s tempting to just replace something such as a television or kitchen appliance if there are newer and cheaper models available. However, before you decide to trash your current item and replace it, we suggest calculating repair costs to see how much money you can expect to pay to fix it.

If the device is cheaper to replace then we suggest replacing it. However, if repairing it is cheaper or around the same price, then it may be beneficial to just fix it. This is especially true if you want to keep the appliance since you’re accustomed to it.

Illustration of a repair manualcredit

Are there guides on how to perform a specific repair?

You may be able to repair something yourself if there are repair guides available for it. Of course, you’ll need to be confident in performing the repair and you’ll need the tools for it. You might also need to spend a bit of money on replacement parts.

However, if you’re willing to put a little bit of time investment into repairing it, you could do it yourself at home without paying a professional to do it for you. This could save a bit of money and teach you new DIY repair skills that you can use to repair other appliances or electronics in the future.

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Price Points: Slow cookers

Slow cookers

Autumn’s here, and it’s the perfect time for those comforting slow cooker dishes. Think about all those bubbling stews, casseroles and curries to be enjoyed. One of my favourite things to make in the slow cooker is tarka dhal to serve with a paratha and basmati rice.

There’s a huge range in prices, from less than twenty quid to almost two hundred. Personally, I’d pick the Swan Retro model; the cream colour would go with the rest of our kitchen décor and the huge 6.5 litre capacity means that I can cook up a big batch of my dhal and store most of it in the freezer divided up into 2-person portions.

Slow cooking is one of the most economical cooking methods. Even though you’re cooking for hours at a time, slow cookers don’t use much electricity. I’ve read that it uses about the same amount of juice as a single light bulb; whether that’s an old fashioned one or those new-fangled energy savers, I don’t know…

  1. Breville VTP169 slow cooker, silver: £14.99, Robert Dyas
    1.5 litre capacity
    3 heat settings
  2. Swan Retro SF17031CN slow cooker, cream: £39.99, Currys
    6.5 litre capacity
    3 heat settings
    glass lid
  3. Sage BPR700BSS The Fast Slow Pro slow cooker, brushed metal: £199.00, John Lewis
    6 litre capacity
    6 heat settings
    Dual slow cooker and pressure cooker functions

shop slow cookers

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Sage BPR700BSS The Fast Slow Pro slow cooker, brushed metal
Sage BPR700BSS The Fast Slow Pro slow cooker, brushed metal
£199.00
Swan Retro SF17031CN slow cooker, cream
Swan Retro SF17031CN slow cooker, cream
£39.99
Breville VTP169 slow cooker, silver
Breville VTP169 slow cooker, silver
£14.99
Sage BPR700BSS The Fast Slow Pro slow cooker, brushed metal
Sage BPR700BSS The Fast Slow Pro slow cooker, brushed metal
£199.00
Swan Retro SF17031CN slow cooker, cream
Swan Retro SF17031CN slow cooker, cream
£39.99
Breville VTP169 slow cooker, silver
Breville VTP169 slow cooker, silver
£14.99
Sage BPR700BSS The Fast Slow Pro slow cooker, brushed metal
Sage BPR700BSS The Fast Slow Pro slow cooker, brushed metal
£199.00
Swan Retro SF17031CN slow cooker, cream
Swan Retro SF17031CN slow cooker, cream
£39.99
Breville VTP169 slow cooker, silver
Breville VTP169 slow cooker, silver
£14.99
Sage BPR700BSS The Fast Slow Pro slow cooker, brushed metal
Sage BPR700BSS The Fast Slow Pro slow cooker, brushed metal
£199.00
Swan Retro SF17031CN slow cooker, cream
Swan Retro SF17031CN slow cooker, cream
£39.99
Breville VTP169 slow cooker, silver
Breville VTP169 slow cooker, silver
£14.99
Sage BPR700BSS The Fast Slow Pro slow cooker, brushed metal
Sage BPR700BSS The Fast Slow Pro slow cooker, brushed metal
£199.00
Swan Retro SF17031CN slow cooker, cream
Swan Retro SF17031CN slow cooker, cream
£39.99
Breville VTP169 slow cooker, silver
Breville VTP169 slow cooker, silver
£14.99