Washer & Dryer Combo Units - Vintage vs Today

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launderess

launderess

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Just wondering about combination washer and dryer units. They have been around on or off for years, but wondering if technology has managed to over come the limitations of having one machine perform two very different functions.

Maytag tried their hand at combo units, and rapidly got so many of them "off the streets", they are rare as hen's teeth.

General Electric,IIRC had more sucess with their units, and it appears quite a few are happily chugging away still, but that still leaves more failures at this than successes.

Thoughts?

Launderess
 
Laundress, Growing up our neighbor had a Bendix Duomatic. (I am giving away my age). As kids, we used to like watching it. The machine did a very nice job. and it lasted for quite a few years with minor repairs. I think these units are great is space is at a premium and one washes clothes daily. I for one like to do a lot of laundry at once and have it all done. Growing up in a family of five, and with me being the oldest, we washed twice a week, towels and works clothes were done every other day. It was nothing to do 18-20 loads per week. I still think there is nothing like having a separate washer and dryer to keep to process going. I have two washers and one dryer. The smaller AEG I use to sweaters, fine washables and smaller loads that usually get hung up. We use the LG for all the other larger loads. However, I would still like to own a combo.
 
Combos--

I am somewhat conflicted on them.

One: If a separate washer or dryer fails, you still have the use of the other unit.

Two: They are not rapid.

Three: Stain removal...with a separate washer and dryer, a person can check to see if stains have come out before drying and setting the stain(s).

Four: The engineering is a nightmare. Two very divergent tasks, a lot of water, a lot of mechanical parts.

However-

They do save space. Some of the vintage ones are very nice to look upon.--the RCA Whirlpool is my favourite.

If I could be certain that they would be as reliable as separate units, I might be more enthusiastic about them.

My aunt with the Bendix Duomatic used it solely as a washer. She had a Flowing Heat Frigidaire dryer. A year and a half later, she had a Frigidaire washer.

Lawrence/Maytagbear
 
After college had a 120v GE "Space Maker" compact dryer. When shopping around the appliance salesman at Sears told me that bascially all three compact dryer units on the market at that time (GE,Kenmore,Maytag) all came from the same vendor as there was not much demand for small 110v dryers.

Today there may be a few more makers of small 110v dryers, but basically they still are very inefficient in terms of performance. Would think anyone whom could fit a large LG dryer unit, would have the 220v connection (or a way to install one), for a full sized dryer.
 
Re: Well Toggles:

"May the Force be With You" I guess that you will have to get an "LG" Large Capacity Combo, similar to Peter's or another Model in order to get a Condensor Washer/Dryer Model. Are you really wanting one of them, unless you've got enough space to have both a Combo Unit and some separate Washer and Dryer Units, with considering all of the talk about just how long they take to complete a full Cycle of Washing, Drying and the Cool-Down???

I've been actually thinking about looking into one of the "LG" Large Capacity Combo Units, but I've also got the space to have a couple of separate Washer and Dryer Units operating at the same time as well. I would like to check them out, as far as being able to Wash/Dry a much larger Load than my Compact does. As far as I'm concerned, considering the time factor, my Compact Combo does a pretty good job at Washing and Drying, even if I do at times tend to get a little too large of a Load Washing and Drying, but mainly if I am doing that, it is items that I'm not caring if they are a little overloaded {I don't purposely or way overload it however} and given that the items aren't really going to be something that will get very wrinkled, if they are to stay in the Drum, after completion and not being taken out right away. I'm going to be looking into the Front-Control Panel Model, because I want the extra Top area, without the Console taking the extra space, besides having the Dispenser's on the Front, instead of on the Top of the Machine...

Peace and Holiday Cheer, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...
 
110 volt dryers

I have a portable compact Wards dryer from 1972 (Norge-built) And it had a very simple solution it could be wired for 110 OR 220 volt operation. Don't know why nobody has thought of that in the current compact dryers or combo units. It's like engineers don't chck to see if anything has been done before.
 
combos

Combos were never really popular because they really were useful in only 2 situations.

Space (one of the reasons where they more popular on the in the West because of lack of basements and laundry rooms with space for only one machine)

This had to be balanced against:

High purchase price

Long cycle times

mechanical complexity (especially gas units) resulting in more breakdowns.

Therefore, the pool of customers tended to consist only of people who had the space consideration, and those who had to have the "latest thing" and could afford to indulge themselves.
 
Cimberlie, do you remember any of the brief comments on THS that speculated the HE5T would be/or include a 220v. washer/dryer combo? Brent is one of us that would love to see a 220v version of the LG too (Peteski). I think they're marketing 110v big machine so that it's still flexible in installation without having to involve an electrician as well as some NYC flats/condos either not having the electrical capacity or have rules against adding 220v.
 
If I get stuck in a NYC rental apt, there may NOT be 220v available.

Of course I know to try to choose a place with better electical service, but sometimes you have to swallow hard and deal with the inconvenience.

Even today's code requires only 40a 220/110V, assuming gas cooking and heat and HW provided by landlord. (oil or gas)

I can probably survive with four circuits, min.
110v

1)W&D (assuming a gas dryer or a small portable electric one)
2)A/C or portable electric heater
3)General lighting
4)Kitchen (DW / toaster/ ref etc.)

and YES that is with EXTENSIVE load management at all times.

I MAY NEED a 110v condenser dryer or combo, sadly.
 
Uber-combo

I wouldn't mind having an LG uber-combo on the bottom with a regular dryer stacked on top.

MRB
 
Large 220V Machines In The United States

Highly doubt one is going to see many if any large 220v washing machines offered on this side of the pond. Amercians just do not seem intrested enough to supply the demand appliance makers need to invest the R&D money. Mind you these large uber front loaders from GE,LG,Maytag et all could benefit from the powerful water heating a 220v washer provides.

According to so many appliance people we speak with, the main deal killer for the Euro washers is the 220v connection requirement.

Yes, some large washers like the Bosch "Nexxt" and even the smaller Danby will take in cold water and reach "hot" water temps, but they take a pretty long time to do so. All the while one's laundry is being "washed" as the cycle profile on many of these units does not extend the pause/tumble ratio. This can lead to some very long wash times waiting for the temp to reach hot or hotter.

Shame washer makers don't take a cue from commercial front loaders, where even small units without heaters run on 220v. IIRC single and double phase 220v motors are much more reliable especially when dealing with heavy loads. But considering how many of these new home front loaders have warranties measured in months, reliability does not seem to be high of attributes.

Launderess
 
220 volts

Ironically, in the US, electric dryers outsell gas dryers, so quite a few people have 220 volt capability. The main drawback is both the washer and dryer would have to replaced. The up side is that, surprisinigly, our 30 amp 220 dryer outlets allow higher wattages for both water heating and drying
 

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