Stacking washing machine and tumbler dryer

d0nkeyk0ng

So as part of our planned kitchen renovation, we are looking to stack the tumble dryer on top of the washing machine. Bosch do stacking kits. 

Are there any downsides to this plan?

Has anyone had problems with stacking their laundry equipment?

getmore4less

Get a kit with a pull out shelf for your basket.
If part of a build you could have a proper shelf for the TD.

princeofpounds

Make sure you do it the right way round! And that things are well-balanced.

If one device breaks down before another, you will be restricted to finding a compatible model.

Martin_the_Unjust

In the past I’ve only ever stacked them by putting the tumble dryer on a proper shelf above the washing machine.

Never been happy with the idea of stacking kits as washing machines have been known to wander a bit when the load is unbalanced.

Alanp

Having worked for many years on commercial laundry equipment, I can tell you from an engineers point of view, that it is a complete nightmare to work on them if a repair is needed, certainly on the washing m/c, be prepared for the engineer to refuse to carry out any repairs to the washer should the need arise, unless you are prepared to assist with lifting the dryer off for access, 

donemedosh

I have fitted a couple of these stacking kits they look & feel safe enough but I am not a fan of them. As other posts have said if it is part of a refurb a proper solid shelf is (in my opinion) the best option. It also looks better if you use the same worktop as a shelf

knightstyle

When DD wanted to do this a couple of months ago we decided to build a cupboard with a shelf over the wahing machine for the tumble dryer and louvre doors on the front. Looks good and if/when there are problems with the WM it can easily be pulled forward to work on. We used a spare bit if kitchen worktop for the shelf.

d0nkeyk0ng

Alanp said:

Unless you are prepared to assist with lifting the dryer off for access, 

Happy to do that. 

We were looking at an open faced cupboard with a dividing shelf to support both units. However the kitchen designer was concerned vibration from the washing machine might disrupt the cabinetry. 

EssexExile

Alanp said:

Having worked for many years on commercial laundry equipment, I can tell you from an engineers point of view, that it is a complete nightmare to work on them if a repair is needed, certainly on the washing m/c, be prepared for the engineer to refuse to carry out any repairs to the washer should the need arise, unless you are prepared to assist with lifting the dryer off for access, 

Having worked on domestic laundry equipment for many years, I can tell you that tumble dryers aren't heavy, even I can lift them with my dodgy back. It does help though if there is somewhere to put it at roughly the same height, getting it up from the floor can be a pain (literally).

Alanp

EssexExile said:

Alanp said:

Having worked for many years on commercial laundry equipment, I can tell you from an engineers point of view, that it is a complete nightmare to work on them if a repair is needed, certainly on the washing m/c, be prepared for the engineer to refuse to carry out any repairs to the washer should the need arise, unless you are prepared to assist with lifting the dryer off for access, 

Having worked on domestic laundry equipment for many years, I can tell you that tumble dryers aren't heavy, even I can lift them with my dodgy back. It does help though if there is somewhere to put it at roughly the same height, getting it up from the floor can be a pain (literally).

Yeah, you’re probably right, I was basing my experience with commercial stuff, but I still wouldn’t fancy lifting a domestic t/d on my own, it doesn’t take much to do your back in

onomatopoeia99

EssexExile said:

Alanp said:

Having worked for many years on commercial laundry equipment, I can tell you from an engineers point of view, that it is a complete nightmare to work on them if a repair is needed, certainly on the washing m/c, be prepared for the engineer to refuse to carry out any repairs to the washer should the need arise, unless you are prepared to assist with lifting the dryer off for access, 

Having worked on domestic laundry equipment for many years, I can tell you that tumble dryers aren't heavy, even I can lift them with my dodgy back. It does help though if there is somewhere to put it at roughly the same height, getting it up from the floor can be a pain (literally).

40kg, friend and I recently put mine on top of my washing machine.  Easy enough with two people, but if I ever need to remove it, that will not be the work of a moment due to lack of space as the adjacent larder cupboard will have to come out first.

Also without any shelf or "kit", just one on top of the other, and I've stood and watched the washing maching with a heavy load (towels etc) at 1400 spin speed, and the tumble barely moved.