Which Washer Dryer?

earthmother

We're in the process of moving house, and whereas I currently have room for a seperate washer and tumble dryer, I won't in the new place.

I currently have a Zanussi Washer and a White Knight dryer, and they've both given me over 6 years good service with no signs of giving up, so I'm a bit loath to part, but needs must.

Any recommendations for a sub £500 one that will be reliable, preferably with a large load capacity? A condenser rather than vented dryer would also be useful.

I may be without internet in the coming days, so apologies if I don't respond immediately.

consultant31

Both my daughters had washer-driers and both of them used to bring their washing down for me to dry as the cycle on their machines took hours to do.........and I really do mean hours.

Both of them have since dumped them and bought separate items. Though the washer part worked perfectly, they used to end up with the most appallingly screwed up stuff from the drier which was far too hot in my opinion (and spoiled any delicate items till they learned better than to put them in).

To sum up, I honestly wouldn't buy a washer drier. If there's a severe lack of space (as was the case with both DDs) put them in the garage at a pinch.

rescuedogs

I had a washer dryer and the drying part of it was rubbish... the washing didn't even come out smelling fresh.....try and fit your seperate dryer in somewhere.

dragon47

I have had an Indesit washer/drier for about 15 years. It's only broken down once and I managed to fix that myself.

It has a condenser drier but it does take quite a long time to dry most things. Thin materials can dry in a couple of hours but normally it would take 4 to 5 hours to dry half a load. During the summer I dry everything outside on the line but in the winter I have to use the dryer although I tend to part-dry bulky items on the radiator.

Stand alone driers also have a larger drum and don't cause as many creases but if you don't have the space a washer/drier is still better than a clothes horse or indoor washing line!

tobyjug

Have a look at the Indesit range sub £300
Indesit WIDXL 126 came out as one of the Best buys at Which

also the Indesit WIDXL 126S (silver)

AEG-Electrolux L16850 came out the best but is just under £500

earthmother

Thank you all - after only a week without the dryer it's become apparent we can't manage without it - we have very little space for airers and unfortunately we don't have anywhere we could site the dryer (no garage space) - so a combi it will have to be.

I'll take a look at Indesit and AEG over the weekend.

m_k_dons

I think there must be some really bad washer dryers out there but I just moved out a rented flat and the one we had their was brilliant.

The washing was perfect and we only used the drying for underwear, pjs, towels and bedding. It would dry underwear and pjs in about 40mins nad towels and bedding would be ok in an hour although they would get hung up to finish off.

We're moving into a house at the end of the month and are going to get another washer dryer. Looking at Zanussi (I think they're basically the same as the AEGs, there is some relationship between them I think?) and Hotpoint, although heard bad things about reliability their machines seem quite good.

Let us know what you got and what you think of it.

cattie

I currently have a Zanussi washer dryer that I'm very happy with & it's a year old now. My previous washer dryer was a Whirlpool, which gave me over 10yrs of good service & never a single problem.

If you're thinking of buying Zanussi, consider buying from John Lewis as you get a 2yr guarantee through them.

Justcoll

earthmother wrote: »

Thank you all - after only a week without the dryer it's become apparent we can't manage without it - we have very little space for airers and unfortunately we don't have anywhere we could site the dryer (no garage space) - so a combi it will have to be.

I too have only heard bad things about washer-dryers. My daughter has a similar problem with space and so has put her dryer (White Knight condenser) in another room. Assuming yours is also a condenser, could it go in a bedroom or other room?