Bosch Nexxt WTMC 3300 Electric Dryer Taking Laundry to the Nexxt Level
Written: Jan 09 '05 (Updated Jan 29 '05)
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Pros: Quiet, large, Sensotronic drying, tub light, optional rack
Cons: Can still sound like a dryer while drying jeans
The Bottom Line: A great, feature packed dryer that matches your Nexxt washer perfectly
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| Mark_A.'s Full Review: Bosch Nexxt WTMC 3300 Electric Dryer |
The dryer is the Rodney Dangerfield of laundry machines. While fulfilling the role of the "finisher" in the laundry room, the dryer always takes second billing to its sibling, the washer. Still, many people may not know about advances made in dryer technology as modern units get clothes dryer, fresher and to the precise degree as selected by the operator, all the while saving energy and offering outstanding convenience.
As more and more people switch to front-loading washing machines, they are also switching their dryers for either functional or aesthetic reasons. I'm sure the idea of a matching pair of machines is very appealing to most consumers. The Bosch Nexxt 3300 electric dryer is a companion to the excellent Bosch Nexxt 3200 front-loading washing machine. Both machines are manufactured by the consortium of Siemens/Bosch in their new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in New Bern, North Carolina.
Product Description: The Bosch Nexxt 3300 is a steel frame dryer that matches its partner machine in both function and style. It requires a 220v power supply, and is vented from the lower center of the rear of the machine. The unit features a high-capacity stainless steel tub and fully electronic control panel. One of the selling points of the dryer is that it is functionally matched to the washer. This benefit allows the operator more convenience, because both machines more or less complete their cycles at the same time. No more waiting for either the washer or the dryer for the next load. The machine is the standard format, 27 inches wide, so it can fit about anywhere a standard dryer can be installed, but with the optional eight inch pedestal, the machine is an impressive 44 inches tall. The best way to describe the size of the machine is "full". A nice feature of this dryer is an interior light that makes it easy to find that little sock or whatever else may try to hide from you.
The Nexxt dryer features fully electronic controls, with a positive click rotating knob to choose from three cycle areas, a start/stop button, a delicates button and an audible signal cancel button. It also has unit status LEDs that tell you without having to open the dryer door the status of your clothes, with a light for drying, damp dry, regular dry, and finished/wrinkle block. Because you don't have to open the door to know where the clothes are in their cycle, you save energy. There is one additional light that reminds the operator to clean the lint filter. The dryer also features an LED display that gives a time estimate for cycle completion and is the place where any error codes will appear in the chance one occurs.
An optional drying rack is available for the dryer that suspends whatever delicate or bulky items (tennis shoes) that you would like to dry over the bottom of the tub. Drying loose tennis shoes in the dryer is not recommended for the damage they may do to the tub (if it were me, I'd put them out on the porch to dry in the sunlight, then again, I live in Texas).
Installation Notes: The dryer is not shipped with a power cord, you'll have to buy one and either install it yourself or have it installed. The reason for this are the different code requirements depending on where you are located in the country (some areas require four bladed plugs, some three). Taking the time to set up the duct work correctly will pay dividends in quicker drying and less lint build up. Minimize the number of 90 degree corners in your duct work. The most efficient set-up is a straight duct right out of your laundry room to the outdoors. Remember, this dryer must be vented to the outdoors, and only an aluminized or metal duct is safe to install. Finally, for the best operation, use a spirit level to level and then lock the machine's feet in place with the locking nuts on the legs.
"Sensotronic" Drying: Have you ever pulled your clothes out of the dryer and found them to be scorching hot? This sensor helps alleviate over drying and under drying, and helps save energy. The way the sensor works is that as wet clothes tumble past the sensor (two smooth stainless steel protuberances) they gauge the degree of moisture in the clothes by the resistance they offer. This function only works in the automatic mode, but you can still access the information on the control panel about how dry the clothes are while using the timed dry. The sensotronic sensor requires a monthly wipe down with a paper towel and white vinegar to nullify any build-up and keep it working properly.
Available Cycles: The three cycles available are regular/cotton, Permanent Press, and timed dry. The first two cycles are automatic, and stop the cycle depending on the dampness you have chosen on the knob. The levels are damp dry, regular dry and very dry for perm press, and damp dry, regular dry, very dry and extra dry for regular/cotton. The dampness choices are useful depending on what the operator plans for the clothes after the cycle finishes, for example, if you have bed linens you will be storing, "extra dry" is appropriate. By pressing the "delicates" button, the dryer will reduce drying temperatures and extend drying time to correspond.
Operation: The dryer works extremely well, and dries quickly when matched with the Nexxt washer, because the washer extrudes lots of water from the clothes with its 1000 RPM spin. Clothes come out of the washer just damp, and the dryer works fairly quickly. A full load of towels will make it to the "very dry" in less than one hour. The drum is truly capacious and will swallow any load that the Nexxt washer can churn out.
Noise Level: I was very pleased with this aspect of the machine. It is well insulated and muffles the noise of a dryer very effectively. Things like jeans can still be heard in the dryer, but not as loud as in my old dryer. Considering it features a stainless steel tub, the rivets and buttons on jeans will make a muffled clank. Things like sheets and towels are almost completely silent. The dryer also moves air through the machine, so it still sounds like a dryer, just more subdued.
Lint Filter: The dryer has a lint filter that is probably finer than most lint filters you have seen, this is because with the washer, the machines pull less lint from your clothing. The fine filter also helps keep your duct work clean and helps keep dust down in the laundry room. The filter is easy to pull and clean, and as mentioned earlier, a light comes on after a cycle to remind you to clean it out. The lint filter/bearing cover area requires a monthly vacuuming to keep the area from overloading on lint and foreign materials.
Warranty: Bosch offers a full one-year warranty, a two-year warranty on parts and electronics (sorry, no labor), and a two year no labor warranty on the motor. We bought an extended service plan for ours for $79 from Lowes considering the electronics and the sensors in the machine. One repair could easily surpass that amount. The Lowes service agreement takes the one-year full warranty out to six years.
I am supremely satisfied with this dryer as it is perfectly matched to the washing machine and I recommend anyone who is in the market for a large format dryer to take a look at this unit, especially if you are considering the Nexxt washer.
See my Bosch Nexxt washer review here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_168804847236
Have fun in the laundry room!
Mark
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 699
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Mark_A.
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Member: Mark A
Location: Schauerberg, Germany
Reviews written: 117
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The time will come when we are no more, so let's just eat some BBQ...
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