Washerdryer/W.machine AND a T.dryer

sayahu

Hi,
I currently have a washing machine and a tumble dryer in my small flat (as a result we have no seating in the kitchen).

Now the washing machine has broken down and I want to replace it with a washerdryer, however everyone I've spoken to (they do not have a washerdryer) claim that this would be a nightmare as I will have more problems with it breaking down or not working etc.

My current washing machine has finely broken down after almost 10 years of heavy loads (on average 1 new wash every day). I've never had any problems with it before, and have seen others suffer breakdowns regularly with newer models.

Please help, which is best?
(sorry for being long winded)

munchings-n-crunchings

My mother decided to donate her tumble dryer to me, as mine was kaput, and upgrade to a Miele washer / dryer combined.

At a cost of around £1000, this wasn't cheap.
A big mistake!
You would expect to dry the load you had just washed, but no! most of the washed load had to be taken out, and just a small quantity could be dried at a time. Even so, things got wetter before they started drying.
The Miele engineer tried to prove the machine was working ok, by drying a small hand towel, but that is not a realistic load.

After 18 months, the machine has been disposed of, and she has gone back to the separates, each with their own purpose.

Regards
Munchie

stmatt

I've always had a washer/dryer. I use the washing machine daily but only use the dryer occasionally for drying large items in winter (towels/bedding). I've had 2 machines in 20 years (one a hotpoint, the other was LG).

sayahu

Thank you Munchie, thats the mistake I can't afford to make which is why I'm hesitant.

Stmatt, during the winter when you use both the dryer and washing function do you have any problems? as I would need to use both, if not everyday then atleast 3 times a week.

OJJ

I have a bosch washer / dryer and it has been great. I spent quite a long time reading product reviews and chose the machine about 18 months ago. Many reviews complained about clothes not being completely dry, I cannot say that this has ever been the case although I think the drying times are a little longer than for a dedicated tumble dryer. It is the first washer / dryer i have ever owned but it's been great.

bluecelticgirl

I had an LG - loved the washing machine part - but hated the dryer bit - never used it. Would take forever to dry, couldnt put whole load in you had just washed and most if it came out half wet/totally dry and anything it did totally dry came out like an old rag as it didn't have a cool down cycle

ic

I've had my Zanussi washer dryer for six years - no problems so far, my parents have had two washer dryers in the last 20 years - so I'd take the "all washer dryers die early" comments with a pinch of salt. Washing machines also break down, just it can't be blamed on the fact there is a dryer in it too.

With my machine the wash load is 6Kg, whilst the dry load is 3 or 4 Kg, so you can't set it to wash and then immediately dry a full load. If you currently run the washer and dryer at the same time, bare in mind that won't be possible unless you only wash a half load, and the dryer will need to run longer than what you're used to in order to compensate for the smaller tumble space. I only use my dryer during the winter for the bed sheets, otherwise I have space to dry in or outdoors for everything else. Should mine die, I'm half and half about getting a larger capacity washing machine and then a small tumble dryer for occasional use.

mandragora_2

These sites are great for advice:
http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/

and

this forum:

http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/forumsphpbb3/viewforum.php?f=45

They've given me great help more than once, and I'd recommend them.