New dryer help - what do the kg ratings actually mean?

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David321

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#321462 18-Aug-2025 15:19

Hi all,

My wife wants a dryer and has left me in charge of the research, I know not much about them but have learnt a bit recently, I want to get a Fisher and Paykal as they match our current front load washing machine, and the heat pump dryer technology seems to be the most efficient (I am aware they take a long time to dry clothes but that's not an issue for us.

One thing I have had mixed advice on is the KG ratings, for a 9kg dryer does that mean it can take 9kg of dry clothes? or damp clothes? We have a 9kg washing machine and I want to be able to dry a full load from that with our new dryer, so do I need a 9kg dryer or something bigger or smaller?

chat GPT tells me to match the kg ratings to the washer, google ai tells me a smaller dryer is fine.

One thing I have also noticed when looking at the fisher and paykal washer and dryer combos is the was capacity always exceeds the dry capacity, leading me to believe we could possibly have a smaller capacity (in kg's) dryer.

I am asking because the 8kg fisher and paykal dryer is significantly cheaper than the 9kg

_David_

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#3405396 18-Aug-2025 15:33

The rating is to dry a "standard load", at its finished dry weight. Make sure you understand the different models of dryer, vented, condenser, and heatpump condenser. Heat pumps are more expensive upfront but economical to run long term.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#3405397 18-Aug-2025 15:34

Rather counter-intuitive in my view, but the capacity refers to the dry weight. The capacity also varies by the cycle used, so I recommend reviewing the user manual when comparing products to see if they meet your needs.

wellygary

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#3405400 18-Aug-2025 15:49

A 9kg dryer can dry the clothes from a 9kg washer, - the 9kg are both dry measures,

- for the dryer, 9kg is not a limit, the clothes will weight MORE than 9kg when you put them in, but that's OK

Goosey

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#3405404 18-Aug-2025 16:11

To avoid buying a dryer and associated power costs, I just try make sure I do the washing and hanging and folding more.

seems to work. Hahahah.

as the kids get older it will be their job.

plus I can’t be bothered tryna get a venting solution…that’s more cost.

Paul1977

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#3405415 18-Aug-2025 16:43

Goosey:

To avoid buying a dryer and associated power costs, I just try make sure I do the washing and hanging and folding more.

seems to work. Hahahah.

as the kids get older it will be their job.

plus I can’t be bothered tryna get a venting solution…that’s more cost.

Not always feasible in Winter if you don't want clothes strung up all over the house.

And towels come out much softer from the dryer than line drying.

Heat pump dryers are good. They avoid the need for venting and cost significantly less to run, but as mentioned the upfront cost is a lot higher. I would recommend running drainage to your laundry tub waste (usually easy) - you can skip this but you'll be forever emptying the water collection thing if you don't (sometimes mid cycle).

Paul1977

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#3405417 18-Aug-2025 16:51

I wouldn't get too hung up on sticking with the same brand. If they aren't the same generation, they probably won't match anyway. And at the end of the day, it's only the laundry - not the room you wow visitors with. I'd get whatever ticks the most boxes.

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richms

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#3405419 18-Aug-2025 17:08

60c worth of power to use the dryer makes the added time spent hanging out get valued at near nothing, plus theft risk of the clothes, plus bird shyte risk and also drying doesn't happen outside at night when I am there to do washing. Also fading from the UV.

Its a nice idea hanging over from the era of housewives who were home all day.

Condenser and heatpump driers have no venting needs.

Richard rich.ms

Bung

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#3405420 18-Aug-2025 17:18

Unless you're just shoving all your dirty washing in at the same time most people would struggle to get to the rated loads. Consumer suggests most washing loads are 3.5 - 4kg. Surprisingly they say that full loads achieve the same dirt removal but don't rinse as well. God help you if it all turns grey from a new T shirt.

hsvhel

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#3405430 18-Aug-2025 19:30

richms:

60c worth of power to use the dryer makes the added time spent hanging out get valued at near nothing, plus theft risk of the clothes, plus bird shyte risk and also drying doesn't happen outside at night when I am there to do washing. Also fading from the UV.

Its a nice idea hanging over from the era of housewives who were home all day.

Condenser and heatpump driers have no venting needs.

I got to know, theft risk?? what has someone pinched from your line before?

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David321

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#3405431 18-Aug-2025 19:44

Ok, so I am guessing that the drums on the dryers must be bigger per rated KG than the washing machines. For example a 9kg dryer will have more space inside it than a 9kg washing machine?

It's the only logical reason the washer and dryer combos have a lower kg dryer rating than the washing kg rating With the same size drum for both jobs. Could be to do with the dryers need to have warm air circulating around the clothes.

_David_

insane

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#3405455 19-Aug-2025 07:43

We got a 11kg washing machine and 9kg dryer. Mainly to align the internal volumes and match a previous top loader. As above though it would be near impossible to actually fit that weight of clothes in - and even if it were possible it wouldn't wash or dry well.

We do multiple loads a day, and the heat pump dryer is the way to go, but our clothes do age faster than line drying.

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BlargHonk

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#3405456 19-Aug-2025 07:59

I wonder how the economics of getting a cheap standard vented dryer and using it on the 3-hrs free power plans stack up vs the extra capital cost of the heat pump/condenser dryers that take much longer to dry?

insane

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#3405458 19-Aug-2025 08:09

From memory they run significantly hotter, so you'd pay more as you replace clothing sooner.

Bung

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#3405460 19-Aug-2025 08:36

F&P quote heat settings ranging from unheated airing to 80⁰C for both vented and heat pump dryers. You don't have to use high heat on a vented dryer.

johno1234

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#3405466 19-Aug-2025 09:19

Curious to know how good/bad just using a portable dehumidifier and clothes rack to dry a load is. The unit I have here is only 280W vs 900W for a heat pump clothes dryer and 1800W for a vented dryer.

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