stacking kitchen appliances

thursday

I'm in process of planning my new kitchen and am wondering if stacking dishwasher on top of washing machine is a viable option. (Both semi-integrated Miele, same dimensions). Kitchen is tiny, 2.35x2.1m with huge window...will post layout options soon for comments too.
Also, I want domino hobs combo barbecue/induction and need very good and very small and unobtrusive extractor as possible. Barbecue will be 150mm from external wall and ideally it would be side extractor...

Comments from kitchen experts like CK designer is what I'm fishing for as well as good old common sense from others, thanks in advance..

premkit

miele do a conversion bracket that fixes to the top of the washing but is usually for a dryer.
also there is a cooker with dishwasher underneath if space is tight.

thursday

Thanks.
I've seen the dryer on top of washing machine...(no room for dryer in this kitchen)..but was thinking if dishwasher could be put instead then loading/unloading could be done with no bending down...and I could put it so that dishwasher door, when opened, streches right up to the sink, which is, again, handy...

baby-mechanic

Know what you're trying to do would help in your kitchen, but would the fact that the dishwsher will need to fill with water have an adverse effect on what you are wanting to do ?

We've got our dryer on top of our washing machine in our utility to save floor space, but haven't thought of it being too heavy, a dishwasher full (or however full it gets) of water would be a diffenerent matter.

Thinking on a bit, would installing some from of bracket system to the wall, to help suport the dishwasher on top of the washing machine help ?

thursday

Thanks baby-mechanic, you are spot on about my main concerns - the weight of it all...there are stacking kits available; not sure if they could be fixed to the wall instead of fitted on top of washing machine.
I could fix this to the side wall (solid party wall), and back to the stud wall (timber studs 70/100 @ 280mm, so, providing we hit the studs, a fair support) but the other side would have to be fixed to tall unit (oven housing)...

baby-mechanic

Wonder if this might be of use -http://www.screwfix.com/prods/34119/Ironmongery/Shelving-Systems/Shelving-Brackets/Bracket-120kg-250-x-250mm-Pk10

Forgot completely, does the manufacturer give details of the weight of the dishwasher, both empty and full ?
Even if you only get the empty weight, they should provide the amount of water needed to wash, and add the two together.

Another thought, could the washer and dishwasher be sited in a corner ?
You'd then have the capability of using the two corner walls to provide support for the dishwasher

thursday

baby-mechanic wrote: »

Wonder if this might be of use -http://www.screwfix.com/prods/34119/Ironmongery/Shelving-Systems/Shelving-Brackets/Bracket-120kg-250-x-250mm-Pk10

Forgot completely, does the manufacturer give details of the weight of the dishwasher, both empty and full ?
Even if you only get the empty weight, they should provide the amount of water needed to wash, and add the two together.

Another thought, could the washer and dishwasher be sited in a corner ?
You'd then have the capability of using the two corner walls to provide support for the dishwasher

Thanks for brackets. I did think of this, however using them would lift the dishwasher further up and that's what I'm not too keen on...
Yes, it is going to the corner with solid wall to one side...

loracan1

I'm not familiar with Miele dishwashers but if it's like any other conventional washer how would you access the middle of the upper shelf? Plus the only stacked appliance I've seen before now is a tumble drier - mine I can just about lift on my own but as far as a dishwasher goes I can barely shift along the floor.

poly1

You might want to read THESE comments here on why it might not be a good idea to stack a dishwasher on top of anything (scroll to the comments bit) but don't know if this is an issue with a miele though.
Edited; Oops link not working when I do that but it says:If the dishwasher leaked it could potentially soak the washing machine beneath and cause physical and or electrical damage.

Dishwashers also tend to be a different shape and depth than a tumble dryer which tends to be quite similar to a washing machine so the dishwasher is likely to be a poor physical fit.

The biggest problem is that the drain hose for the dishwasher would be far too low because the plumbing would be a few feet beneath it. This could allow water to siphon out during use causing the dishwasher to malfunction
AND then this:
The main issue apart from stabiity and leaks is the drain hose. A drain hose on a washing machine or dishwasher needs to go up well above the level of the water inside the machine to prevent siphoning.

The waste water pipe is usually near floor level and extends 2 – 3 feet up the wall where the drain hose is then placed. To position the waste water pipe in the correct position for a machine elevated 3 or 4 feet high it would need to be similarly elevated which depending on the siting could be undesirable. On the other side of the wall the pipework would run outside at about 5 feet above ground and would look similarly bad.

thursday

Thanks all for very valuable points raised above.
The link did not work (Poly1).

Point about the drain hose on the right level is excellent one, thanks - but I can actually achieve this; this space was once upon a time someone's batroom...(victorian conversion) so there are lot more drainage pipes than you ever need in the kitchen, on top of that there is raised floor with 500mm high storage below my kitchen now, so, drain pipes can be fitted into any direction and then up the wall behind my wall of appliances....I believe it only needs to be 35mm pipe for dishwasher, and then 40mm after the point where it picks up washing machine drain hose... am I right? Sink has its own drainage, which is what I want anyway.

I know one appliance above the other is not ideal as one can damage the other with leak...maybe being Miele would reduce risk here . Lets hope.

There is a comment about the height (loracan1, thanks) and how to reach the upper basket...Washing machine is 800mm high and so is dishwasher (the models I am after) so, providing the support for diswasher does not take much space, the top of diswasher would be at 1650ish, hopefully, I am not sure if this can be achieved... Upper basket is at least 200mm below this level, so, we should have no problems here as I am 1.720m and shortest (!) :eek: in the family. Honest.
Besides, Miele model I am after has everything you need to access in the door, so, no more bending down in awkward corner to unscrew salt dispenser.

regards

ic

I wouldn't even consider this, it sounds dangerous and will look a complete mess. You'll find it difficult to fill the machine correctly - normally you're looking down at the baskets so can see what goes where - not if you're side on with it. I wanted a dishwasher in my small kitchen, and achieved it by relocating my washing machine out of the kitchen and under the stairs. Granted I had to run in both a water supply to the location, plus drainage away (including an underground 120mm sewer pipe run up the side of the house), but it was well worth it. I now have my slim-line integrated dishwasher and more cupboard space. Meanwhile the space under the stairs has been put to good use (was previously boarded off!).