Washer Dryer Combo's.

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arrrooohhh

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Greetings friends,

Im just wondereding what everones opinions are on Washer/Dryers. I had a Bendix (Philco) washer/dryer for a while and it was okay, drying didnt impress me that much, or the fact that it used mains water to condense.

As there are many examples in Europe I just wondered what everyone thought of them.

I have noticed recently that LG's large size front loaders on the AU market are dryers as well, and many of my friends have asked me what I have thought of them.

Over to you!
 
as a rule

never have a washer dryer. Even in bad weather a couple of clothes maids in front of a radiator or in a warm room is better. Always have a seperate dryer if you can. Although ive got my eye on a washer dryer on ebay its a vented one as opposed to a water using condensor. I suspect it will dry quicker than your usual combo. But the creasing issue is still there with a smaller drum. Just my take on the various washer dryers ive used over the past 10 years or so. Nick
 
Ive never seen a vented washer dryer how does that work?

I agree with your comments, I think that even with the space issue, just stack a dryer on top it isnt going to take up any floor space.
 
i dont know how it works.

chestermike probably knows how they do. But if he doesnt i will no doubt write a full report when i get it. Bidding on a Hoover Logic 1100 from 1986 ish not sure tho, has a vent hose attached at the top of the back panel, so im guessing a heater came on under the drum and the steam just flowed up and out the hose? Nick
 
Re: Vented Combo's:

Robert "Webmaster" has the older Whirlpool Combo that is a Vented Model and the Kenmore Model's were also Vented as well. I've got a 1965 Lady-Kenmore and a 1967 "MOL" Model that are Vented Models. The Dry Cycle in the Timer changes the Controls from Wash to Dry and they basically have Sensor's just like a typical Gas/Electric Dryer, to Sense the Moisture going out the Vent Opening.

I'm sure that Robert can/will explain in more detail, or someone else who has had/has any older Combo's. I just remembered that Austin has the GE Combo, that he got more recently, but I'm not sure if his is Vented or Condenser Drying.

Peace and Fun Laundry Times, with Combo Machines, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...
 
i had a hoover newwave washerdryer. it was fantastic. Even through the fact it span at 800rpm instead of 1300rpm as it had a module fault. the tumbles were great it reversed about every 37secs true hoover style. It did the whole package wash through to dry perfectly.

I was impressed with my cousins zanussi washer/dryer too. it was very good.

In truth i wouldn't mind another washer/dryer as i'm limited to space in my garage and i have a seperate dryer in the house too. So sheets and bulky items could always go in that.

Everyones opinions are different and people have always been scepticle. But for my money there good for what they are but obviously if space is not an issue seperates are better.

Darren
 
My views reflect Nick's.

I have a WD in my flat. I would only use the drier in emergencies or for smalls. WD's leave the clothes more creased and do take a very long time to complete the cycle. Remember not only does the machine have to dry the clothes but also residue water in the drum and rubber ring. The heat also rots plastic parts more quickly.

If you use a dryer occassionally or don't have any space I would recommend one, but where possible always go for separates.
 
If you have the space.....

Id always go for seperates, even a compact 6kg dryer is better if you can- however if you really dont have the space then they are ok if you can live with the shortcomings.....

Seamus
 
Washer Dryers

The Hoover vented dryer worked a lot quicker than normal condensor washer dryers, the steam quickly being vented out the back instead of being condensed by cold water, the only exception being AEG of old, there w/d used a high velocity turbo fan with a very high autosensing heat, starts on cotton high on all progs and then reduced to low with less moisture and then cooldown...

The Hoover had the heater & blower unit on top of the drum with an outlet at the back of the drum connected by pipe to the vent outlet, like a normal t/d at the back of the machine. this had a metal flap which would open by the force of the air and be kept closed during washing.

I used the first Hotpoint w/d the W9934 and found it to be a good machine, bit noisey on dry but handy for small loads.

Who remembers the Colston washer dryers that had the dryer in the front door??

Cheers. Mike

10-5-2006-05-54-26--chestermikeuk.jpg
 
Sorry to be dense, (was it mentioned?) but what is the brand-name of the machine pictured on the right?

My aunt had this one (here in the USA, 110v). I beleive it was Italian-made and known as a Comb-o-matic.

Although vented, there were two smaller filtered tubes rather than a 4-inch (100mm) standard duct connection.
 
On The Right!!

Hi Toggs

The machine on the right is the Colston Consort, this was just a washing machine, I think the combomatic was based on the later Colston 850xd which had a h&c connection pipes but had an internal condensor dryer which pumped the steamy water down the drain...this did look like the machine on the right.

Colston was an old UK firm from the 1950`s which later merged with Italian firm Ariston in the 1970`s.

Good machines in their day!!
 
I used to have an Indesit vented washer dryer.
It had a blower/heater box on top of the drum which blew hot air in through a slot in the door rubber boot. There was a vent outlet at the top of the outer drum which led to a concertina tube to an outlet on the rear of the machine. This had a mesh screen covering it to catch the lint.

It worked similarly to a conventional dryer, but its element was only 1300 watts so it was pretty slow. I guess the heat was limited to stop the door boot from being cooked. I previously had a Bendix w/d (Philco Italy, late 70's) had cooked its boot and the boot went rock hard. The machine still functioned normally but on spin it leapt around violently as there was no "give" in the boot, so when the drum wanted to jiggle around, it moved the whole machine. The boot was no longer available so I scrapped the machine.

I agree with others who have said if you can possibly have separate washers and dryers, it is preferable to having a washer/dryer. The washing function compromises the drying function too much.

Chris.
 
washer/dryers

My great aunt had the Bendix,our neighbors across the street had the Norge,a neighbor of my uncle's had the Hotpoint(GE),and we got the Lady Kenmore(1963).It was the gas model meaning it ran on 120 volts and the heater for the drying was powered by natural gas.It worked great and we used it every day for almost 30 years.It was repaired only twice.Once for the sump which would collect items lrft in pockets that could damage the pump and the second time for the ballance system lock which was a MAJOR repair.Charly(our Sears repairman who was a genious on these combination models)was cussing like a sailor as he took apart the entire machine and warned my dad that because of the combo's age (by then they were no longer in production)he'd probably have to either replace the system with a rebuilt one or have that actual one rebuilt.I had a 1955 Frigidaire washer I found at Baltimore Gas and Electric's warehouse neerby and it worked great untill the combo was finaly repaired.in 1986,my stepmother had it replaced with a Montgomery Ward Signature top loader and a Whirlpool gas dryer.
 
Washer dryer

Grnadparents have a hotpoint washer dryer not bd driesrelatively quick but creasng is not good
 
i had an ariston marghita W/D

we bought it after a long line of washer dryers that just didn't work properly, but the ariston actually did a good job, i hated the washing machine, but i must say that its drying capabilities were very good.

I live in a small flat now with built in appliances, and it came with a Brandt W/D, its good, but only has a 2.5KG dry load, so i rarely use it, there's no point in trying to dry my bed sheets or towels in it, even socks dont dry so well. BUt for smalls and cottons it can get things dry in about 30 mins which isn't too bad.
 
Washer Dryer Combos

In the US, COMBO has two meanings: 1.) a seprate washer and a spearate dryer unit stacked but united in one cabinet with two controls and two drums, used in condos and apartments where space in limited. Could be front load, could be top load. The washers work ok, smaller capacity(usually) and the dryers if the are only 110 volt, take a long time to dry clothes in their seperate drum. 2.) single washer and dryer drum, not common in the US, but some were offered in the 50's to the 70's, but now making an emergence due to foriegn brands coming in, energy costs and second homes. General complaint is that drums are small, and can only dry half the capacity of what is washed. Also, most are only 110 volts(here), and dry really slowly as opposed to a seperate 220v or gas dryer. None of the big US manufactures who do front loaders offer them, they are mainly imports here. Pretty much, to dry a load, you need almost 50% more the drum that you washed them in to avoid creases, wrinkles,energy time to dry, and hot and wet spots, so the clothes can move around. I have a front load Haier washer that I just stuff full of clothes, and a huge vintage Kenmore dryer that gets them dry in less than 30 minutes. I cant imagine what the clothes would look like if spun in that tiny Chinese drum to dry.
 

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