This excellent machine is the unsung partner to the Miele Model W4840, large-capacity front loader (read my full review of that beauty at:
http://www.epinions.com/content_417949388420).
Until this machine, I had no idea that my prior Maytag dryer (stacked MLG2000AWW) or LG (DLG5966) were frying the bejeepers out of my clothing. But they were.
As a practical matter, Miele tunes its dryers to leave 5% of moisture in the load. Thus, there may be some dampness felt, but it dissipates within minutes of handling and folding. The benefit is that inevitable creases are not baked into your wash.
But even more noticeable is that each load fluffs itself in volume in a way no other dryer I have ever owned accomplished. It is very noticeable. Instead of wads of tangled wash, you get volumized articles separated by the drum action to a very remarkable degree.
OPERATION
The buttons are laid out in a very simple design with one-touch operation and affirmative detents for each push. They reside next to a status bar indicating the ongoing level of dryness. There is no LCD display, which is not necessary, but would have been nice for easy information.
Miele uses reference products among their line to suggest drying amounts: Hand iron, "rotary iron" (a Miele product), etc. This is not as intuitive as a timed display, but you get quickly used to it.
There are options for high-heat drying ("Turbo") and no-heat drying; and there is a sturdy rack included for shoes, sweaters, etc. There is no delay feature (the washer does have one), which would actually be useful to time finish upon arrival home.
Miele extolls their "reverse honeycomb" drum pattern, in stainless steel. The washer uses a similar technology to believable effect. It is hard to believe that this pattern does anything for drying, but who knows?
What I do know is that the drum rotation is managed more extensively than any other manufacturer, reversing direction repeatedly during and at cycle end. This, more than anything, is probably what detangles and gives volume to the load.
Finally, the anti-wrinkle function common with most dryers these days is employed here, too. The anti-wrinkle function, if turned on, will last up to three hours.
Oh, and the buzzer (actually a beep), can be turned on or off.
NOISE LEVEL
The noise of this dryer is different and somewhat more pronounced than any machine I have previously owned. It appears that this is due to using higher volumes of air to achieve drying, vs higher heat.
The dealer explained it to me this way: If you hung your wash outside it would dry faster in the wind than on a calm, breezeless day. This makes sense, and I believe it.
So what you will hear is more wind, which means more noise. Not intolerable noise, but more nonetheless. I did notice what seemed like a "bad bearing" sound, and was assured by several resources that it is just the sound of the air. I believe this, too.
MISCELLANEOUS
The lint filter is more robust in design than any I have ever seen. The screen is far finer, and the size larger.
I have noticed that lint can accumulate around the rubber gasket on which the screen resides when inserted. This can cause small lint amounts to fall free when it is removed, which is a minor annoyance.
Exhaust ventilation is a key factor, here, likely due to the high air-volumes this dryer is configured to employ. These high air volumes make proper ventilation especially important.
INSTALLATION
Correct installation is critical for every brand, and Miele is no exception. Your best bet will always be to minimize the exhaust ducting as much as possible. Miele insists on rigid ducting, unlike, say, LG, with its sagging, low-rent tube.
I have had excellent results with a low-profile, aftermarket exhaust vent leading from the back, permitting me to get this unit very close to the wall. These low-profile tubes are available at most hardware stores. But beware: Once configured, tape it up with the metal "flashing type" ductwork tape, purpose made for this application. The aftermarket low-profile tubes **do not** seal to the degree necessary. And buy the widest (3 inches+), highest-quality metal ducting tape you can find. Cheapo tape will be most unsatisfactory and require a re-do later.
Professional installation will extend your warranty by one year. The pro technicians, employees of Miele, can also diagnose your machine by hooking up a PC, a forward-thinking utility that anticipates decades of use.
All things considered, the very best thing about this machine is that it cares for your clothes in a way that no other does--and which I did not realize until the first load was done. Who knew?
