Esatto Dryer - potential issue with lint build up on heat exchanger

• 

  ChillBro on 02/09/2022 - 15:45

  +1

  Yeah it's a PITA but the instructions say to clean this, the filter in front, as well as the filter on the bottom of the door every use. Still, this is the hardest bit to clean but using a brush helps a lot.

• 

  AirbusA389 on 02/09/2022 - 16:11

  +1

  yeah i use a toothbrush with a shortened handle to clean the fins. the double lint filters unfortunately doesnt work very well.

  one trick is to clean immediately after a load of laundry is dried. the lint would be damp, and that makes it easy to pick up with the toothbrush

  there are tools to clean fins on ebay for $10-20. the same tools supposedly can be used for cleaning the fins on heat pumps.

• 

  AB100 on 02/09/2022 - 16:12

  +2

  My Esatto builds up on the heat exchanger as well. I bent a toothbrush handle to allow the brush head to get into the tighter areas of the heat exchanger and gently use the bristles to loosen the fluff, and then vacuum off the fluff. I do this about every 3 months. Make sure you brush in the direction of the fins (downwards or upwards), and never across the fins (sideways), as you will bend them.

• 

  JimmyF on 02/09/2022 - 16:22

  -1

  Is that 'normal'

  Yes it is. They all do this regardless of the brand, hence why some of the 'fancy' ones have a self cleaning exchanger. Basically they dump a heap of water over the exchanger to flush the fluff off at the end of each cycle.

  For those without this feature, you have to manually clean it. Just be careful not to bend the fins over. so work it up and down, not side to side.

• 

  brilliantthings on 02/09/2022 - 16:28

  +3

  I wrote to Estatto about this this week. Here's what they told me:

  Ensure the lint filter (within the door) is completely clean. This needs to happen after every load.
  Unplug your dryer to remove it from its power source, leave unplugged for 40 minutes to reset sensors.
  Open the base access panel (bottom left on the front of your appliance) by clicking down the two tabs.
  Give this pathway a good clean removing all lint.
  Use a vacuum hose (head removed) to clean the metal condenser which will be visible.
  As necessary, or at least once every two months, you should remove the fluff from the heat exchanger using a sponge or soft brush. The heat exchanger is located directly behind the base filter and visible when you remove the base filter.When doing this, please wear gloves to protect your hands. You can also use a vacuum hose to remove any residual lint and grime that may have built up on the condenser/heat exchanger.
  6. Close the access panel.
  7. Then reconnect to power and the Full indicator light should have now disappeared.

  • 

    Shoocat on 02/09/2022 - 19:10

    Thanks very much, had no idea I needed to do this and lo and behold it was disgusting back there after only a few months use.

• 

  EightImmortals on 02/09/2022 - 16:30

  Cheers, didn't know about that one, I do now and gave it a good clean.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 03/09/2022 - 16:43

  Thank you! I have exactly the same issue with my Esatto dryer.
  I previously owned an Electrolux condenser dryer and the heat exchanger never got clogged.
  I guess that it had superior filters.

  • 

    Shoocat on 03/09/2022 - 21:01

    I'm sure anyone who owns this knows that a fair bit of lint collects around (and gets past) the filter. The filter really needs a rubber seal around it.

• 

  Kapitoshka on 09/09/2022 - 11:15

  +1

  Not sure if it is helpful, but recently I posted video on how to clean filters, it is important to keep any heat pump functional.

  Esatto EHDP7 heat pump cleaning the dryer and filters: https://youtu.be/zuZOMPdUwRQ

  Also, looking at the picture, the way dryer's filter seal is damaged could be THE reason why you have such build up.

  Hope it helps.

• 

  stumo on 13/12/2023 - 18:47

  I just stumbled upon this issue myself. Here's what I did, after brushing and vacuuming…

  I sprayed some simple green water based degreaser on the condenser and left it for a while. Then I got my waterpick flosser with its jet of high pressure water and water blasted that bad boy. It came out sparkling like new.

  So much fluff-sludge was washed out of the front of the condenser. You have to get your fingers in there and scoop/pick it all out at the bottom front of the condenser. Note the condenser also goes quite far to the left hidden behind the opening. Lots of buildup was found in that location in particular.