Seeking Advice

[patttifrank]

I just recently moved from a house to an apartment. The apartment, in fact, does not have a washer/dryer hook-up, so I need to find a portable washer/dryer. Years ago, when my kids were little, I had a yellow Maytag A-50. I'm looking for something similar now. My first choice would be to find an older working model; however, I've checked Ohio's and WVs craigslist several times and called every used appliance store around ... there are none to be found. I know there are newer models you can order over the internet. My question is, has anyone had any experience with these models ... the twin tub and top loader ... and have they had good results? Also, the portable dryers ... the old portable dryers were used by my mother, grandmother, and aunt. Do the new models that they say can fit on a countertop really work?

 

[pierreandreply4]

Have you tryed looking for a portable set like this one

hello have you tryed looking for a portable set of this model type i think that some use appliance stores might still sell this desing?

 

[patttifrank]

Are you able to connect this particular washer to the kitchen faucet and does the dryer work on a regular 120 outlet?

 

[pierreandreply4]

yes it do this particular washer can connect to the faucet and the dryer can be plug in a 120 outlet
and whats the advantage of this particular model his there is even the option that the washer can be converted to become permanent

here is a pic of the faucet adapter for this particular washer model

 

[countryguy]

I would also check with your landlord to see if portable washers/dryers are allowed to be used.  When I had an apartment in Toronto, I had a portable washer for several months.  Then one day I got a letter from their lawyer saying that if the washer was not removed within 30 days I would be evicted.  They claimed that the way the washer was connecting to the faucet was causing hot water fluctuations in the rest of the building and people were getting scalded.  It was a load of crap - they really just didn't want me using the washer because they were losing out on the money I was not putting in the coin operated machines in the laundry room.    Gary

 

[patttifrank]

Gary, I don't think that would be an issue. There isn't a coin-operated facility in this building. For the most part, the landlord isn't concerned with much of anything except for receiving the rent payment. We aren't supposed to have pets here, but there are two tenants with dogs and one with a cat ... not that I object to anyone having pets, but just saying that as long as the landlord receives his rent, he's not too concerned with what goes on here, including non-tenants coming for extended stays and packing up the parking lot.

 

[patttifrank]

Pierre, what type of model should I be asking for? All I've found in this area are the stackables, and I've been told the dryer is 220, not 120.

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Some stackables can be a different story as far as electrics is concerned. Most stackables can be wired to operate on 120V. If you are not sure, just post a picture of the stackable here, along with the model number, and someone will be able to tell you whether or not the dryer especially can be wired for 120V AC.

 

[pierreandreply4]

and it also depends on the model number and the year it was made as well like stated some dryers can be made for a 120 volt power

 

[3beltwesty]

philosophy of dinky machines and landlords concerns

A landlord's concern is that folks cause damage.

Thus if one has a dinky Haier HLP 21N from ebay for 208 with freight one can often not get caught. Gobs of folks actually do this. A 120 volt dryer is often more expensive and really is whimpy like 1300 watts.

In Southern California it was so dry that things would be bone dry often without a dryer if one used a homemade clothes line about the tub. I actually did this for small wash jobs with a simple homemade washer. I did not pay for water or hot water. A dumb 20" box fan blowing on items would dry stuff real quick and lift the humidity up above the teens too.

The landlord does not want a leak to ruin the place; or have water useage go up either.

If one openly displays one has a washer, pets etc one is probably going to get busted.

Home depot here sells a stackable 110 volt spacesaver set at times.

There was one on ebay a guy had last week for 1 dollar in socal; one had to remove it from their apartment.

I actually got a Haier HLP21N last fall off of ebay as an "as-is" junker; one that was described for parts only. I was high bidder at 5 dollars. The shipping was 39 dollars. Somebody bought it last summer via Amazon and returned it since the frame got dented and styrofoam pieces got broken. After rebending the thin sheet metal and removing a zillion pieces of styrofoam the unit works real fine. It pulses back and worth; it has a 1.0 cuft drum and is 6.6Lb load; more like say a 4 Lb load as practical. I purposely wanted a wimpy machine for my shop in case I have to go through a hurricane and live here awhile; one that will run off a dinky generator I have. A machine like this is not for everybody. There are kids I know who have them "illegally" in dorm rooms in college

If one has ever been a landlord ones biggest mess is folks tear up and ruin the place and one has to fork out cash and labor to do repairs.

About the biggest downside with a line or fan dried "dryer" is one's towels etc are not fluffy.

There are many variants of "portable washers" going back many decades. Do not assume that you sink faucet will magically have the right connection. If one is the assuming type and you skim details; you are going to be in trouble. Leaving one connected while not there; or if one has kids horsing around is a danger; you will have a hose pop or the kids will pull it off and one has water everywhere.

From the standpoint of quality; the cheap Chinese Haier is a junk. But it actually works quite well. There are many Youtube videos of these small washers. Many many folks actually use units like this type in dorms and apartments "under the radar" by being quiet.

Many small portable washers really cost one more than a dumb starter real TL 27" washer. Ie Home depot had starter Amana TL 27" machines for 218 and 235 bucks last year on the super sales; vasty better than a dumb Haier portable.

With a bigger machine or dog your chances of getting caught by the landlord go up.

 

[macboy91si]

New or Old?

Have a look at the link below if you are looking for new. If you are looking for a new twin-tub machine, the only maker that offers one in the US is Danby. It's a 10lbs wash / 6lbs spin rated machine that isn't terrible to use. Realistically it's a solid 6lb of laundry that can be done at one time and it's very quiet to boot. The model is the DTT420. They also make a little portable automatic, the DWM99W that is a very decent little performer as well. Both the of the Danby offerings are agitator based models not pulsators like the Haier units and I prefer this. There were no transmissions in either of, just a reversing motor connected to the agitator. I think the Danby's both work very well, just depends on you flavor of either automatic or twin-tub.

 

If you're looking for vintage, there are a lot of harder to find options but still worthwhile. It depends on whether or not you are looking for an automatic or twin-tub. For the twin-tubs, the older Hoovers are loud but good machines. They can plow through a lot of laundry quickly if you come across one with a spray rinse feature (common). The little Maytag's are good as well, but be looking to replace the diverter valve in the machine and a new poly-belt for the wash side. The parts can still be had, and the little dryer (DE-50) is pretty cool. Those were the 2 most popular units, with the occasional Japanese  unit here and there.

 

If you want an automatic, the Kenmore/Whirlpool machines are still popping up here and there. I have an 1981 set of the belt-driven Lady Kenmore's and I like them. The 86 and later models are direct-drive just like the full-size machines and are easy to work on and parts are cheap if they need repairs. I'm personally not a fan of the 90's and up newer, taller models known as the world washers, but I hear they work well also. All of the KM/WP portable dryers are essentially the same, with different features here and there. They still sell the same dryer today as they did in the 70's in terms of design for the most part.

 

Hope this helps a bit, I have a lot of portable machines, so let me know if want pics or specifics.

 

-Tim

 

 

http://www.compactappliance.com/Laundry/Appliances-Laundry,default,sc.html

 

[qsd-dan]

How far are you willing to drive?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Maytag-A50-Port...48327?pt=Washing_Machines&hash=item519800ec67

 

[macboy91si]

Coppertone Beauty

That is a handsome little machine Dan, I don't see brown very often. I've never seen a back panel like that however. I'm set on my A-50's unless I come across an Avocado or Harvest set of a cheap to free one.

 

-Tim