Washer Dyer Combo Good or Bad?

ste2012990 · 28 Mar 2013 at 16:15

Hi.

I'm not sure if this has been asked before, but I really need some feedback from current/previous owners. I live in a 1 bedroom apartment with a really small kitchen, so I can't fit both, a washing machine and dryer in the limited space I have.

I already own a Hoover washing machine that is starting to get a little inefficient and slow. I can't use a washing line to dry my clothes as there's no backyard or garden where I live. So, would I be wise to purchase a washer dyer combo? Or should I just buy another washing machine with a lower failure rate?

If anyone can recommend a good washer dyer combo please leave a reply. to make thing a lot easier, my budget is £500 to £700.

Jono · 28 Mar 2013 at 16:37

In your case, I would probably go for it - I've never had one myself, but some friends have and they seemed to get on ok with it.

I wonder if you can get combi condenser units... I'm assuming you'd not be able to vent it outside, and those little boxes you fill with water are utterly useless.

If you can't get a condenser combi (dryer part is a condenser one) then I'd probably not bother... and just leave a window open a bit and freeze my bits off drying things near radiators on a rack.

Grimley · 28 Mar 2013 at 16:45

ste2012990 said:
Or should I just buy another washing machine with a lower failure rate?

This. A Washer Dryer is probably the least reliable of all domestic appliances. Get a small tumble dryer if needs must. White knight preferably.

phil-k · 28 Mar 2013 at 16:54

The combi ones don't dry as well as a dedicated dryer

ste2012990 · 28 Mar 2013 at 17:33

phil-k said:
The combi ones don't dry as well as a dedicated dryer

I was looking at the LG washer dryers. They are quite expensive but customer reviews seem positive. However, the reviews was on the sellers own website, so, could be biased?

Here's a link to the washer dryer combo;

http://www.appliancesonline.co.uk/product/F1480RD-LG-Washer-Dryer-White-23731.aspx

Jokester · 28 Mar 2013 at 17:37

Personally I use a indoor drying horse for my drying, the only exception being bed sheets which I tumble dry in a combi unit. It's a Siemens one, never given me any bother in the past 4 years.

ste2012990 · 28 Mar 2013 at 17:42

Grimley said:
This. A Washer Dryer is probably the least reliable of all domestic appliances. Get a small tumble dryer if needs must. White knight preferably.

From what I've been reading, it seems to be a bit of a mixed bag. I'm thinking the cheaper brands have a higher failure rate? I'd only buy from Bosch, LG or Siemens. Are these brands even bad?

ste2012990 · 28 Mar 2013 at 17:43

Jono said:
In your case, I would probably go for it - I've never had one myself, but some friends have and they seemed to get on ok with it.

I wonder if you can get combi condenser units... I'm assuming you'd not be able to vent it outside, and those little boxes you fill with water are utterly useless.

If you can't get a condenser combi (dryer part is a condenser one) then I'd probably not bother... and just leave a window open a bit and freeze my bits off drying things near radiators on a rack.

If you can't get a condenser combi (dryer part is a condenser one) then I'd probably not bother... and just leave a window open a bit and freeze my bits off drying things near radiators on a rack.[/QUOTE]

I think all LG washer dryers are condenser! Not sure about other brands though.

Danthus · 28 Mar 2013 at 19:04

As long as you are aware of the pitfalls with a washer dryer they are fine.

The drum in a washer dryer is rated for a wash load and a drying load with the drying load being smaller.

If you have a 7kg wash capacity and 5kg drying capacity you will struggle to dry a load if the load is closer to the 7kg.

As long as you bear that in mind then it will be fine.

Nightglow · 28 Mar 2013 at 19:56

OldCoals said:
As long as you are aware of the pitfalls with a washer dryer they are fine.

The drum in a washer dryer is rated for a wash load and a drying load with the drying load being smaller.

If you have a 7kg wash capacity and 5kg drying capacity you will struggle to dry a load if the load is closer to the 7kg.

As long as you bear that in mind then it will be fine.

Spot on 100%.

Would prefer seperates myself, I have both of these, been brilliant, never have ever gone wrong.

Bosch Classixx WTE84105GB Condenser Tumble Dryer £399
Bosch Classixx WAE24368GB Washing Machine £375

Slightly over budget, but shop around & haggle for both, you should be able to get them cheaper, below £700, there is also a stacking kit available for them.

EDIT: A quick google & I've got them down to £687:94p here

http://www.sonicdirect.co.uk/ they have Bosch spring deals at the moment, & your might screw a bit off with a bundle deal.

Danthus · 28 Mar 2013 at 21:33

They are bottom end Bosch machines.

If you are going for separates get an LG with direct Drive and a White Knight tumble dryer.

Tesla · 30 Mar 2013 at 08:11

I think all washer dryers are condensing, pumping the water out of the waste. Never seen a vented one.

We don't have space for seperate units so have a Zanussi washer dryer. They use water whilst drying, we're unmetered so not an issue but something to consider.