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Home About us Research services Reports Childcare products Continence Household products Mobility Telecoms and alarms General Surveys Design Ordering Links Site map change text size and colour ?		Choosing a tumble drier that's easy to use (view report contents) Controls The main control was a rotary dial for setting drying time. The pictures show some of the different types. The bar grip on the White Knight condenser and compact driers was shallower than some others. The recessed bar on the Crusader dial gave limited space for swollen fingers. Recessed bars on the Creda full-size machines gave reasonable grip because they still protruded. White Knight Intellidry's instructions: orange printing was not easy to read. The lint filter slipped down in the door on the Bosch drier - easy to reach. Emptying the water container from a condenser drier involves bending very low. All had a bar across the dial for gripping. In general raised bars are easier to use than recessed bars which restrict finger space. Also a control that sticks out can be pushed round with the side of the hand if fingers are swollen, stiff, weak or painful. Thicker bars are easier to grip than thin ones. The Summaries ratings cover how easy the dials were to grip and the strength needed to turn them. Most of the dials had detents: you could feel them stop at each setting. They avoid the need to line up a setting, which is difficult for people with unsteady hands. They can also be helpful to blind people, who count the number of clicks. Heat Setting Most driers had a push button or switch for selecting high or low heat. Few needed much strength to push, though with some your finger could slip. Ratings in the Summaries are based on size, grip and the strength needed. Start button A few driers had a start control (see above) - either a push button or switch. The Whirlpool drier also had a gentle action button for delicate fabrics. Back to top Report contents Introduction Guide to types of tumble driers Buying Guide Bosch WTA31002 Crusader 37660 Whirlpool AWZ 121 Creda T602CW Hotpoint TS12 White Knight 312WV Hoover TV30 Hotpoint Aquarius TL62 Miele T490 White Knight High Speed BG442 AEG 56600 Creda 37764E Finding an easy to use drier Guide to test results Controls Visibility Order by Grip Order by Mobility Order by Sight Manufacturers Addresses
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Choosing a tumble drier that's easy to use (view report contents)

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