Advice regarding sanity of putting a freestanding dryer into integrated slot

[DIYdisaster]

Hello,

I am considering buying a 7kg freestanding Beko heat pump dryer (model DTLP71151W).
However the only space available is an integrated dryer alcove that is barely larger than the Beko (which itself seems one of the smaller machines).

The dimensions (in cm) are; dryer: H84.6/W59.7/D50.8cm and alcove: H85/W60/D60.
As you can see, very snug with less than a cm difference in height and width.

I’ve read the manual and it states: “Ensure that the air inlet of the dryer is open and it is well-ventilated.”
But I cannot find where the air inlet is (the manual does identify ventilation grids? Presumably air goes in and/or out there?).

Further the dryer will be in a corner with a 60cm deep worktop above, a wall to the left and rear, and a freestanding washing machine (also in an integrated alcove) to the right. So air movement around the dryer (especially at the rear) will be almost non-existent.

Unfortunately there really is nowhere else to site the machine 🙁

So my question is: will this free-standing dryer be OK in such a space?

I have no idea how much heat it needs to dump (or where from) nor do I know where the air inlet/outlets are.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated including, if this dryer is not suitable, any heat pump or condenser alternatives.

FWIW the manual I read was at https://bekoplc.blob.core.windows.net/bekoupload/manuals/DTLP71151.pdf

Thanks in advance for your time and trouble, it is really appreciated.

Cheers!

[don]

Page eight of the instructions state that one cm is required for ventilation of the appliance. As you mention the air vents are at the front. It just depends on how much warm air the machine emits from around the machine. I would personally say your spacing is a little tight. Problem is that if it failed during the warranty Beko may say “it’s not being used in accordance with our instructions” which may render your guarantee void.

I think you are going to struggle with the spacing that said I have seen condenser and heat pump dryers in tight spots such as yours.

Don

[DIYdisaster]

Hi Don,
Thanks for taking the trouble to reply, much appreciated.
Heh, just re-read page 8 … I remember most of those points but not the one about 1cm one clearance near the end. I’m getting senile…
Struggling to find a smaller dryer that has the capacity I want (ideally would’ve preferred something a bit bigger than 7Kg).

don wrote:Page eight of the instructions state that one cm is required for ventilation of the appliance. As you mention the air vents are at the front. It just depends on how much warm air the machine emits from around the machine. I would personally say your spacing is a little tight. Problem is that if it failed during the warranty Beko may say “it’s not being used in accordance with our instructions” which may render your guarantee void.

I think you are going to struggle with the spacing that said I have seen condenser and heat pump dryers in tight spots such as yours.

Don

[murv]

Ideally should follow the manufacturers guidelines.

That said, our Grundig(Beko) heatpump dryer has well less than 1cm gap at the top, back and sides. I left the side kickplates off in the dryer slot and it’s been functioning for over five years.

Heat pump dryers vent less cooling air from the cabinet than a standard condenser.

[DIYdisaster]

Hi Murv,
Thanks for the reply, much appeciated!
We decided to look at some dryers in the shops and I thought then that Grundig and Beko had many similarities…

murv wrote:Ideally should follow the manufacturers guidelines.

That said, our Grundig(Beko) heatpump dryer has well less than 1cm gap at the top, back and sides. I left the side kickplates off in the dryer slot and it’s been functioning for over five years.

Heat pump dryers vent less cooling air from the cabinet than a standard condenser.

Yeah, I got the impression they ran cooler than condensers. I think, given the lack of decent alternatives I’ll have to shoehorn in the Beko.
I’ll try and move the washing machine a tad to the right (might gain a few mm but there really isn’t much free space there either).

[Author]

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