Thor washer/dryer combo ?

[jocks54]

Have a chance to buy a Thor combo machine for $175. Used for a year than stored for 4.
Can you guys tell me all about the condenser dryer part?
And recomendations? Are these dual machines any good? Seller says it was $1300 new. Does it blow warm dry air into the house? Lint fiters? repairs, etc???
Thanks guys! Steve..... still looking for my Twin Tub machine in CT

 

[ronhic]

If it is a European machine, which it probably is, then it won't blow hot air into the house - it'll use incoming cold water to condense the water out of the washing not forced air.

As to are they any good, I'm not a fan of 'all in one' machines. If you have space for only one machine, then they are better than not having a dryer....but always remember that you can't wash full load and then dry it - most are wash 13 lb and dry about half that. As an example, a single bed sheet weighs about a 1 lb.

 

[launderess]

Cannot Remember If It Was Equator or Malber

But one of those outfits purchased the rights to the "Thor" name and was slapping it on washer/dryers sold under various brand names. Kind of want to go with the old Equator people, but would have to look it up.

As previous posted stated the unit is small so you can only dry about half of the washer capacity. Also the thing must be connected to cold water as it dries as it uses.

If Amazon.com reviews are any indication you may want to stay clear.

http://www.amazon.com/Thor-Ventless-Washer-Dryer-Combo/product-reviews/B003ZFVWOA

 

[dj-gabriele]

The one pictured in the Amazon link is Chinese made, also sold in Europe as "Teka" brand.

Malber/Equators were made by either Antonio Merloni and latter models by Indesit Compay.

Of course the Italian made machine are much better than the Chinese ones!

But still the same ground rules apply: small drying capacity and cold water use during drying.

The machine might use 45 litres to wash 6 kg of laundy and 60 to dry it!

 

[cfz2882]

splendide

i have a 2002 splendide combomatic 6100,i like it- really good little washer
water cooled condenser dryer mode does take a while though-about 2 hrs.
lots of internal parts say"philco",so Antonio Merloni i think.

 

[dj-gabriele]

Yeah, I've seen a few photos of that Splendide Combomati 6100! It's terribly similar to a Philco Agile of the same period (I had such machine in the past), the washing ability was terrific, way better than our current Whirlpool, too bad it was scraped because it could be easily repaired.

 

[combo52]

Small Imported Combos

I have seen several of these small machines here that are vented and do spew hot humid air out a vent out the back of the machine, check the specs for this machine.

 

[jocks54]

Thanks guys. I did pass on it as it was not testable.
I really appreciate all the info. I would be more concerned with the reliabilty than its quirks. Also I am on a shallow well so water consumption is an issue too. I imagine it doesn't use alot to dry though.

 

[ronhic]

I imagine it doesn't use alot to dry though.

I wouldn't be so sure of that.

LG machines are known to guzzle about 70 litres of water to dry 5 kg (11 lb)..

To put that into perspective, you should expect water condensed machines that are older to use plenty!

 

[tomturbomatic]

I read consumer reviews of these machines and apparently, the squirrel cage blower rapidly clogs with lint. This greatly increases drying time and condensing water used. Repair requires some disassembly and is a PITA.

There was someone in North Carolina selling a 220 volt version of the Splendide years ago, but then the big changeover happened and they were no longer offered.

These tiny machines are better than nothing, but most owners agreed that it would be better to have a little washer and a 115 volt dryer on top of it or elsewhere if you were really up against it for space. Many were in apartments and had to use this in the kitchen. The condensing drying meant it was hooked up to the sink for hours.

 

[dj-gabriele]

The machine might use 45 litres to wash 6 kg of laundy and 6

I had already written it.

And that data refers to current machines!