Stackable washers/dryers

brib68 · Jan 15, 2015

Is it my imagination, or did someone back probably in the 70s (and maybe before) make a stackable front-load washer/dryer pair that had the dryer controls mounted on the lower front of the cabinet so they were just above the washer controls? Or is my feeble brain confusing this with the Frigidaire GMini? And/or, did the Kenmore dryer that went with the portable top-load washer have a set up like that? I remember they were offered with a rack where the dryer could be mounted up high and the washer would roll out for sink hook-up and back under when the wash was done.

The reason this is bugging me: We had to go to Home Depot for a new garbage disposer recently and they had a new HE front-load stacked pair (either LG or GE, I guess) on their floor display and I realized that at 5'9", reaching the dryer controls would not be the favorite part of my wash day, so I could just imagine how awful it would be for someone shorter--like most of the women in my family, or virtually everyone in my husband's family. Anyway, it just got me thinking back to ads I used to pore over as a kid, when there was a lot more call for the space-saving stackables.

turquoisedude · Jan 15, 2015

The early Westinghouse 'SpaceMate' Laundromat and dryer had control panels like that. I don't know if that carried over into their 60s and 70s models, though...

ovrphil · Jan 15, 2015

Then there's this

Maytag Neptune Stacked Washer/Dryer Combo w/90 day warranty or more - $500 (Des Plaines) …

but not sure about the quality, reliability of this newer unit. I have not seen maybe …but one of what you're talking about…maybe a Spacemate, but those stacked FL W&D's seem rare.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/ppd/4838363148.html

revvinkevin · Jan 15, 2015

I don't know if that carried over to the 60s and 70s....

Actually it didn't.

The original Spacemates, like many that are truly "stackable" had the option of side by side or stacked operation. When stacked, the dryer was turned upside down and set on top of the washer. The trim panels and name plates were removed, turned upside down and re-installed so it looked like it was built that way.

Pic 1: later 50's Spacemate set.

Pic 2: the redesigned '64 "spacemate" set.

Pic 3: a 1994 Westinghouse set. By this time they had dropped the "Spacemate" name long before this.

Pic 4: an mid-late 50's stacked Spacemate set.

Kevin

P.S... Yes there is the Maytag Neptune set above too, but those are not "stackable", they are stacked.

brib68 · Jan 15, 2015

This has turned up some interesting stuff!

Phil--I've never seen a stacked Neptune before! That's wild. I wonder if it had a detergent/softener dispenser? IIRC the freestanding washers had a door on the top, but nothing in the photo looks like it has one.

Kevin--Those '50 models are pretty sweet! Of course, I'm a sucker for colorful push buttons. I did have it stuck in my mind that the dryer was turned upside-down on the ones I was thinking of, but didn't trust my memory circuits.

laundromat · Jan 15, 2015

Back around 2004, LG made a stackable dryer that allowed the owner to switch the dryer control panel from the top of the dryer front to the bottom. They did it for a year then stopped production. I don't know why.

ovrphil · Jan 15, 2015

Brian - I don't see that Neptune model too often, but I've come across it at least once before. I bet Martin has one or had one before, he has a bunch of Neptunes.

ovrphil · Jan 15, 2015

Brian- sorry, Yogitunes, in case there's another Martin around here.

yogitunes · Jan 15, 2015

ding ding ding......you would be right....I DO have one.....stacked set that is....got to hand it to Maytag though, for any of their stacked sets, they come apart for transport compared to some stacked sets, are made all-in-one huge units and bulky to move around and install....

there is no detergent dispenser on the stacked set, but there are two ports/cups at the top inside the opening of the washer for bleach and softener...

have a few Neptunes...that's an understatement.....lol

brib68 · Jan 16, 2015

Very interesting

So, Yogitunes...I guess I can count you as a Neptune fan! We had a Maytag TL with matching dryer that we bought new in 1998 that had the same buttons and dials as your stackers, but your graphics look a little newer, perhaps. Thanks for the insight on the dispenser situation!

PS: nice pup!

swestoyz · Jan 16, 2015

One of these days I need to pick up a Neptune (gas) stacked set, and put the restored guts of my 3000 in the stacked unit. They are sooo cool.

yogitunes · Jan 16, 2015

it all started with one new set, and with the new house, I wanted two, then turned into a fleet.....I like the wave of the consoles!

yogitunes · Jan 16, 2015

and in the city house, is another double set.....these I got from a staged home that got sold, never hooked up....

yogitunes · Jan 16, 2015

glass dryer door courtesy of Drew, working on a windowed door for the washer.....

brib68 · Jan 16, 2015

All I can say is

holy motherflippin' cow!

Very impressive!

revvinkevin · Jan 16, 2015

The Fleet of Neptunes

Hey Martin, did you manage to get all the same model of Neppie? Like are they all 5500's or 6500's or do you have a mix of both?

Kevin

yogitunes · Jan 16, 2015

they are all of the 5500 series......thought about the 6500 with the internal heater, but all that would do is raise the wash temp to 140, my water heater delivers hotter than that, so didn't see a need to locate one, was hoping for a boil wash with an internal heater....

and haven't come along many StainBrain (7500)versions, at a decent price, who knows, someday.....

the stacked version fits along the lines of the 4000 series, still used a wax motor for the door lock....although this one has been replaced with the revision....

Hey Kevin, did you ever get those Neptune videos transferred to digital and uploaded?

revvinkevin · Jan 16, 2015

Neptune videos transferred to digital and uploaded?

No sorry to say I haven't. Actually I kinda forgot about them, so THANKS for the reminder!

ovrphil · Jan 18, 2015

Brib68 -one more

Here's a stacked unit, Speedqueen, also with controls below the dryer. Nice.

Ad: " ront Load Stackable Speed Queen Washer/ Electric Dryer set (approx. 5 years old). This unit has no issues, runs very well and is clean. This is an outstanding commercial quality washer and dryer and has many years of life left. The only reason we are selling is in preparation to down size our home.
Buyer MUST bring help to load from our basement. No delivery available. Price $1000 cash. First come first serve. Will not hold and all sales are final. Call 717-six15-xxxx (no text will be answered due to spam), leave your return information and any inquiries on voice mail and we will return your call. Thank you & please view specs down below."

http://lancaster.craigslist.org/app/4845374605.html