Looking For Combo Washer-Dryer Recomendation

[takacedon]

Long time reader, rarely do I post but I'm hoping the best and brightest here can help me out.

I'm looking to put a combo washer-dryer in the apartment that I rent. It seems the most logical to squeeze into the laundry closet. Right now there's a stacked Kenmore unit with a center post agitator. The capacity is much too small and very rough on clothing. Frankly it's just junk.

So far I've been able to locate info on the LG combo and the Fagor. The Fagor sounds like it needs some special plug - not sure if that's accurate - but if so, that's out. Currently the unit is an electric dryer - no gas available in this community.

So what say you all, is there a machine I'm not seeing or am I headed for a world of hurt. Should I just stick with a front loading stackable unit?

Thanks for the help!

 

[henene4]

Ohh, thats hard.
First of all: If you are abled to, DON'T, I mean, NEVER EVER EVER IN YOUR LIFE get a washer dryer if you complain about capacity.
Think about it: The washer/dryer has a drum of 3 to 4 ft³. Now, subtract about half of that as the load needs space to tumble during drying. And than add the long drying times. No way to get the "not enough capacity"-fault out of the door.

Next, I would recomend Spees Queen, but than, you would need to get a stacked set like this:
http://www.speedqueen.com/home/en-us/products/product.aspx?id=350
But, as you rent, what if you move? (Keep in mind, these are SQ units. They will last...)And your new appartment offers only space for side-by-side washer/dryer installation? You would have spent 2500$ for nothing.

So in the end, the only way that could work out positivley (in my opinion) would be getting a nice pair, stacked with a stacking kit.

But than agin, which brand? I would personally vote for either Miele (I'm from Germany and used Miele washers for half of my life. I HAVE to love them!) or Asko. They produce high quality machines, even though they have smaller capacitys (like maximum of 2.5 ft³ round about). But they offer you true temperatur selection (not the wonky hot/warm/cold, you can select the temperature in °F, so you are sure you get what you want).
Now, this decission could be made by one simple question: Would you have any way to get 2 220V connections? (Or two of any higher voltage connection? I don't get USA's voltages on dryers...)?
If so, I would go for Asko as they have a true 205° wash. That will clean anything. Further, the washer spins at 1800rpm, pretty fast, so you get a faster and more efficent drying. AND (last but not least) you COULD get a ventless dryer so you won't have any problem if you move and there is no vent for the dryer. As long there is 220V (or what so ever) avaible, you're in the game!

The washer would be this one:
http://www.askousa.com/laundry/family_size_laundry/washer-w6884eco/
The vented dryer this one:
http://www.askousa.com/laundry/family_size_laundry/dryer-t784/
The ventless dryer would be this one:
http://www.askousa.com/laundry/family_size_laundry/dryer-t783c/

Now, if there is only one higher-voltage-connection, Miele would be my second choice:
The washer:
http://www.mieleusa.com/usa/laundry...Laundry Care&fourthL=Washers&fifthL=Products&
The dryer vented:
http://www.mieleusa.com/usa/laundry...=Laundry Care&fourthL=Dryers&fifthL=Products&
And again, non vented:
http://www.mieleusa.com/usa/laundry...=Laundry Care&fourthL=Dryers&fifthL=Products&

But, in the end, of course, you could also pick any [insert main stream brand name with poorish quality here] set and stack these, as long as they have an internal water heater on the washer and a back-to-front-airflow on the dryer...

 

[takacedon]

Blast, I was afraid of that. But I'm glad I got someone else's opinion. It's so hard to locate a decent priced but still good quality machine. The landlady refused to let me replace the machines last year in exchange for one month's rent. I'm thinking of trying to push it again since I'm stuck here another year.

 

[NYCWriter]

Thanks, henene ...

... I also have been scouting out washer/dryer units that can fit under a kitchen cabinet. I hadn't even considered the Asko. How do they compare to Miele?

I don't care about cost; I'm already resigned to the fact that this washer/dryer installation project is going to cost me about $12,000, all told. Sadly, the cost of the actual units themselves is secondary to the cost of upgrading my electric, changing the plumbing, ripping out and replacing my cabinetry, and installing a new farm-style sink to catch the washer's drain water.

 

[foraloysius]

It might be cheaper to buy a small washer/dryer combo that uses a 110V connection and use a laundry service for bigger items like towels and bed linens. No hassle with putting in a 220V connection and with a laundry service for the bigger items you don't have problems with long drying times.

 

[NYCWriter]

Laundry service ...

… is not an option for me.

 

[foraloysius]

Well, laundry services are better than laundromats. And you still would do your tighty whities yourself.

 

[NYCWriter]

Again ...

… laundry SERVICES are not an option for me.

 

[foraloysius]

NJET!

Perhaps you could enlighten us why you don't want to use them.

 

[henene4]

@NYCWriter: Well, Asko has the better suspension (4 really strong dampers) and, as you mention it, these washers and dryers are avaible fully integrated either! You just mount a matching front (but ask your dealer, I don't know how and if they are adaptable to you kitchen) and make them invisible. But Miele has them either, but there you still see the panel. But anyway, the 1300 RPM of the Miele are just out off date, and the Asko reaches higher tempertures. You couldnt even have problems with mould.

@takacedon: I just rememberd a post 2013 where somebody needed help on a I think Frigidaire Gallery washer/dryer. He sad he would have them stacked and that they would be good over all. They are not longer made, so you would need a used on, but that would make the cheaper...

 

[NYCWriter]

Laundry services ...

... in my neighborhood in Manhattan are more trouble than they're worth.

I've used them before. They absolutely suck. And I saw first-hand why, one day, when I was picking my load up: one of the women was actually packing the clothes so tightly into the washer, she was bracing herself against a table and using her foot.

No wonder my clothes reeked of that cheap laundry detergent they use (that pink stuff they apparently buy by the 55-gallon drum), with an underlying stench; there's not enough room even for WATER to get into that washer!

And even if they DID wash the clothes properly, not having a doorman makes my life miserable, trying to coordinate pickup and drop-off times (they require two-hour windows on both ends).

 

[takacedon]

@henene4 - thanks! I'm thinking of just trying to find some cheap stackable units that can fit a queen comforter. I have 2 cats so I like to wash it pretty often. It's either that or just deal with it, replace the dishwasher (the current one is from 1986, washes well, but sounds like a damned bulldozer) and go to the in-laws to wash my comforter once a month.

 

[logixx]

Queen comforter? Are you looking at 24" units or larger ones? Depending on the comforter's size, it might fit - or not.



Does the dishwasher have any sound insulation. You might just need to put some in there to make it quieter.

Alex

 

[tomturbomatic]

How about instead of washing the comforter frequently, you purchase a duvet cover or two for the comforter then it would just be the equivalent of washing two queen sheets. You don't say if you have venting for the dryer or 240 volt service in the closet. If you have space for the 24" wide stacking Kenmore center, you would have space for a 24" front loader. You can buy Miele 24" wide washers that operate on 120 volt power. You could stack a 24" wide WP dryer over it. They operate on either 240 or 120 volts. Even if the dryer had to operate on 120 volt power, the superior water extraction of the Miele would not mean excessively long drying times. I just used Miele as an example. There are other brands of good 24" front loaders including the Fagor you mentioned. The 24" WP-made dryer is a better constructed and performing and often less expensive dryer than most of the imported machines so I would recommend sticking with that for the dryer. If you choose a washer that does not heat the water, you will have to make sure that you have a way to purge the hot water line of cold water that is standing in the pipes because FL washers use so much less water to fill. If the machine is not near a water heater, you might have to start it empty on a hot fill then drain that water before loading and starting the washing.

You would need to investigate what kind of floor and subfloor bracing are under the closet because it would be a shame to run into trouble with vibration complaints from neighbors. If you are on a concrete slab, you would not have to worry. As you have no doubt read, a top loader generates far less stress on the floor during spinning because the movement is parallel to the floor instead of perpendicular to the floor like in a tumbler machine.