The big question!

[peteski50]

As most of you know about my disaster with my LG combo. Now that it's out of my life I am using the laundry room in my development trying to access the one wascomet washer. I am still very much into the combos. The LG is the only one that makes the tremendous combo and of course I'm not going for that one again. I see different ones out their but so many people don't service these babies and a good many are so small thats it's not worth the trouble. I am still open to the possibility of buying a combo but I would want to get one that has a minimal washing capacity of 13 to 15 pounds. On line I looked at Ariston, Equator, Summit, Splendid and Malber. I have no idea of what the service availability of these units would be in the New York area. And of cource I learned service is so important especially from the useless LG warrenty I had. A few people told me that Malber does have a excellent service for my area. I looked at their combo and it is so small. But I looked at their brochure and found 2 FL units only washers. One has the same capacity as the combo and the other is a 15 pound unit. I could match it with a stacked dryer using 110V. I do not have venting in the closet, so I was thinking of purchasing a indoor dryer vent box. I wasen't to crazy about the idea but am giving it more consideration. I just dont want lint dust all over the closet and in my apartment. I have a surge protector in the closet and would hope I wouldn't have a problem running both units at one time. I would also loose a closet shelf and than would have a total of 68" in height so it would just fit. What I need to get is openions should I skip the combo and go with the 2 seperates? Is the indor vent box for the dryer a problem? Does anyone know the reliability of Malber and service? Also does anyone have any information about Ariston? I just don't want to make any more mistakes.
Thank you,
Peter

 

[peteski50]

Picture attached

First picture the shelf with all the products would have to be removed if I go with the stack and would get 68" height.

 

[peteski50]

Picture attached2

Notice the drain pipe on right that I was uncomfortable about but was assured that this is the way the setups are done in this development. The pipe goes through the wall to the back of the bathroom sink to drain. Surge protector mounted above water inlet valves. Where would be best place to put indoor vent box?

 

[panthera]

indoor vent boxes don't work, at all

The only solution is a condenser. They are becomming more common in the US again. The heat output overwhelms them in the first few minutes...and the lint and dust does drift. Been there, done that...
This one outlet is not going to handle both running at the same time, the surge protector is irrelevant.
If I were in your position, I would do the following:
Buy stackables. Get a spinner like we use here in Europe. If you can spin the clothes dry at 2,800 rpm then even a 110v dryer can do an adequate job.
It is such a bummer that LG service in the US sucks. Over here it is quite good. That is exactly the same mistake Whirlpool made when they broke into the German market. Service was taken over by independents who were paid a ridiculously small, fixed fee...and who could not get replacement parts quickly because the idiots running Whirlpool insisted they turn in the defective parts FIRST.
Sigh. If the world ends, it will be because young-dynamic-managers, all waiving their MBAs, have taken over everything.
Good luck!
Oh, that plumbing solution would not be permitted here. Does it have built-in check valves? Not sayiing it is bad, just not "code" where I live.

 

[panthera]

sorry, I meant

"the heat output overwhelms them" in reference to those little boxes, not a condeser dryer, of course...

 

[launderess]

I'd stay away from the Malber 15lb units unless major improvments have been made. Local dealer won't touch them after to many returns/horror stories. One problem was the units would not operate unless full. That is you could not wash less than 12-15 pounds of laundry.

Malber does indeed have it's own service guy in NYC, do not know where you live and if that area is part of his manor. Had a Malber unit for ages (washer only) and it worked well for what it was. Mind you it was one of the units made by COPA in Swiss land,not one of the Merloni's of today. Still it gave good performance and many people in NYC swear by Malber.

As for those indoor dryer buckets, been there/done that and am here to tell you no matter what you do, there will be fine dust everywhere. Not to mention all that heat and humidity.

If I were you I'd scan Craigslist,eBay and other sources for a used older Equator model (they were very common in NYC), or look into the new Miele washer that runs on 120v.

Your other option is to get a good front loader but go with either a vintage Whirlpool/Kenmore or GE portable dryer. You'd have to find a spot some where near a window (yes I know), but with a high speed final spin, the 1450 watts of heating the older portables offer can dry a decent sized load in under an hour. Less if one spilts the loads and or lets items air dry before using the dryer. Don't know when it happend, but modern portable dryers all seem to be at 1200 watts, or at best 1300 watts or so.

Nice thing about the older portable dryers is one can simply throw a tablecloth over them and they are "hidden" and can function as a table or sorts.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Vent boxes

Hi Pete

Sorry to hear you`r having to resort to drastic measures, I would say a vent box dryer would be even more trouble, more dribbles of water than you have now...and so not efficient, reduces the airflow and allows lint clogging etc..It does seem like you have the space for a stacked set, and a condensor dryer would be a perfect solution...

Pete, one more thing to consider, (hold on to your hats ) if other users of this model are having no probs with them, could it be that this rubber boot and door are the trouble, might it just be a manufacturing issue with these parts, would a new complete door and rubber gasket solve the problem, and be cheaper than forking out for two newies...

I realise the pain you have had with the service and this machine, and can well understand why you want a new start etc, just an option to explore etc..

Mike

 

[panthera]

Mike,

It ain't just those things - a whole series of LGs sold in the US in the last years had problems and the support of LG in the US is rotten, inept beyond belief. I suspect their service agents work for the marketing department of their competitors.

Here in Europe, LG is marketed as upscale or really good mid-quality.

In the US it first came in as cheap stuff and was marketed accordingly.

I would definitely by LG here in Europe again. I would not wish LG even on a Christianist in the US.

 

[foraloysius]

Peter,

There is no way you can get 220V installed? That would open the possibility of having a European condenser dryer. I would stay away from those dryer vent boxes, they simply don't work. I know by experience!

Ariston is a very BOL machine in Europe. The quality of the Ariston machines is not very good. Besides that, I wonder if there is service available.

If you can't get 220V I would consider a Frigemore frontloader and a 110V dryer. Isn't there a possibility to hang a small dryer on the wall in the bathroom? Like this GE Spacemaker?

Louis

 

[exploder3211]

I agree get a Frigmore F/L and a 110 volt portable dryer..Or get a spinner like used in europe and a Frigmore F/L... I would think there is something better than an unknown name to wash what little you have.. IF i recall right you dry clean alot of your stuff??? Maybe thinking of some one else. Anyway it goes i would get a frigmore f/l

 

[peteski50]

SOOOOOOOOO Disappointed!

Well I am so disappointed - I went to the Malber warehouse in Garden City Long Island. This new P28 Malber is nothing like the P25 or even the P21 - it is totatly different and yes it is bigger but is the same machine as the small Whirlpool FL. And the same washer as the Eurotech combo as well as the Asko combo. The guy said they are good machines and any defects have been ironed out. To me it would make no sense to buy this washer and stack a dryer. I might as well buy another brand thats a combo like this. Or buy the Whirlpool FL and see if their dryer is 110V which I don't think it is. In fact I think Malber will make this their next combo even though the guy didn't say that.
No exploder I dont do dry cleaning but I do hang a lot of clothes up to dry but not everything.
And Louis Ariston left me a message and I called them back and playing telephone tag. I haven't seen them but they do look nice in pictures. I will be careful but probably won't touch it. I can't believe with all the technology their are fewer options. I just wish something would meet my needs. I still like the combo theory.
Peter

 

[decodriveboy]

Hey Pete

What did you end up doing with the LG combo? I remember all the drama well. Reminded me of my experience with Home Depot after they sabotaged my bathroom.

You think any member here might be willing to sell/trade you a vintage brand? Kind of far fetched but you never know. You might have to deal with a low RPM spin though from those older combos, from what I've read on here.

 

[peteski50]

Re: Hey Pete

Hi Decodriver,
I actually sold the LG 2 weeks ago. I don't want to get anything vintage because I don't repair and I am not a actual collector even though I would like to be.
Peter

 

[launderess]

All the combination washers sold in the United States, that run on 120v at the moment are all Merloni made. This means Asko, Malber, Eurotech and several other brand names come from the same people that bring you some of the most horrible BOL laundry appliances in Europe.

Whirlpool's small front load washer and dryer used to come from the same source, but now believe they've switched production to Mexico. However there are still quite a few of the previous units out there, and they are proving very hard to unload. There was a set in our local PC Richards that hadn't shifted in months, despite being marked "clearance".

L.

 

[lederstiefel1]

Hi, Peter - as I told you during our nice afternoon at P.C. Roberts: best is to have two machines stack together (dryer on top of washer) and buy a condenser dryer! Best brand available throughout the world: MIELE!!!!

Big hug and greetings, Ralf

 

[toggleswitch]

Without 220v you will have a hard time.

My instinct says put a gas dryer near the gas source, in the kitchen. IIRC you said you CAN vent from that side of the apartment.

Looks like there are not too many viable choices

But you keep vetoing the thought.......so I shut-up now.

 

[peteski50]

Nobody is reliable!

Remember I was looking at the posibility of Ariston - well I called them and to make a long story short they refered me to 2 different appliance stores in Rockland County one Silver City and the other Applioance City. And guess what both stores never heard of Ariston. So guess what I am probably will nix that brand, another example of the left foot not knowing what the right foot is doing. And also one guy said he used to carry LG, but because of the service they dropped them.
Peter

 

[exploder3211]

Two possible ideas for peteski

I was looking at sears web site, i think they offer a 24" stacked setup thats electric and runs off of 110volt power.. I have a freind who has one nad his works very well for what is.. Also could you consider a gas dryer?? Why not try to get a maytag stak set like this Both would be reliable

 

[peteski50]

Yes I would love to have a 24" stacked setup. But everything is 110volt in my apartment and no gas line in the closet. I don't even have a vent but would be willing to use a vent box. I don't understand why all these foreign machines that have condensor dryers don't make them in 110V. I am not going to give up and am not going to just buy anything until I find a solution I would be happy with. I think with that Maytag stack set the dryer only is made in 220 volt.
Thanks
Peter