Washer/dryer combination

adonis10

Need a new washing machine and seriously thinking of a combi, but never had one before so looking for advice.

appreciate they’re nowhere near as effective as a standalone but don’t have room for both so feels like a nice half way house between not having one and going to the laundrette all the time, especially with 2 young children the washing machine is never off!

Could the washing quality be compromised, ie. not as good as standalone with a combi or is that a little bit of overthinking?

YBR

We found that our washer-dryers didn't last as long as separates do - had to keep replacing them. Also a separate dryer is more efficient than the drying of a washer-dryer.

Is there space to stack separates one above another or must it fit under a work-top?

elsien

The washing quality is fine, it’s always the drying aspect that can be more difficult. 

Unless you split the washing into smaller loads, they can take a long time to dry.

My personal view that if they’re on the hot setting and in for too long they shrink the clothes, although I know a lot of people don’t agree that is an issue.

Then it’s just making sure if it’s a condenser, the water container is emptied regularly and the filter is cleaned out. 

They have a place. But I’d still rather dry outside if possible.

rach_k

I've always found the wash quality as good as separates.  We try not to use any disposable stuff at home so I've washed nappies, wipes, CSP, hankies, cleaning cloths etc with results as good as in a separate washing machine.

I also have two children and, as you can appreciate from the list above, we've always done more washing than the average family.  It's been fine with a washer-dryer.  The thing you can't do is decide that everything must be tumble dried and you're going to do 10 loads of washing and drying over the weekend.  You just need to plan ahead a bit.  I'd say you can comfortably do 4 loads fully dried in the machine over a weekend (not using the machine at night), but if you're a bit more eco conscious or want to preserve your clothes and hang dry things that would otherwise require ironing, you can get through more.  I tend to only tumble towels, socks, knickers/pants, PJs and bedding and spread the washing out over the whole week.  

Veteransaver

Main trouble with most washer dryers is that they use a lot of water on the drying cycle as they use incoming water as the condenser.

Emmia

We have a 9 year old John Lewis branded washer/dryer which works fine. We mostly use it to wash only, and hang clothes up to dry indoors or outside on the line (depending on the weather) we tend to use the dryer mostly for socks and pants. The only things that get put straight through wash/dry are bedding (we only have 1 set) and towels. 

I'd like a separate dryer, but in a 2m x 3m kitchen that means losing one of the very limited number of cupboards - we can't stack due to the position of the boiler.

SadieO

We've never had a tumble dryer. Our last washing machine was integrated, so when we moved house we needed to buy a new one. We were trying to decide whether to get a dryer as well as a washing machine, but decided we wanted the space more. But we thought that as we had to buy a washing machine anyway we might as well get one that was also a dryer, just to have the option, even if we rarely used it. I tend to hang things to dry whenever possible as it's cheaper and supposedly better for your clothes. However I like the option to have the dryer, I just don't use it enough (not do I want to!) to have a separate one. It's handy to have for towels and bedding though. 

I've never noticed a quality issue with the washing. I believe the drying takes longer than a separate machine but I've never had one to compare it and, as I say above, I don't use it enough for that to be a major issue. I'd definitely rather have the space. 

adonis10

Thanks for the replies, some good info.
I think we will go for the washer dryer, as someone said it’s nice to have the option especially if needing to get specific things dry quickly especially when the weather is terrible, which it often is.  Always dry outside when we can but between November and March  that’s almost impossible bar the occasional day! 

If the quality of washing isn’t compromised then I don’t see why not have the extra option of the dryer

adonis10

anyone know if these beko pro recycled tubs are brand new or refurbished?

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/beko-pro-recycledtub-wdex8540430w-bluetooth-8-kg-washer-dryer-white-10212769.html

Albermarle

adonis10 said:

Thanks for the replies, some good info.
I think we will go for the washer dryer, as someone said it’s nice to have the option especially if needing to get specific things dry quickly especially when the weather is terrible, which it often is.  Always dry outside when we can but between November and March  that’s almost impossible bar the occasional day! 

If the quality of washing isn’t compromised then I don’t see why not have the extra option of the dryer

There are a number of pros and cons.
Yes the washing quality is the same but they use a lot more water ( in the drying process) and are more prone to break down. On the other side you get two machines for the price of one ( nearly).
Is It Worth Buying A Washer Dryer? - Check Appliance

My own very limited experience is that we had one, and have never had another one. The drying capacity was limited and it needed replacing in about 4 years rather than the usual 8 or so. Was not a top make though.

coffeehound

adonis10 said:

anyone know if these beko pro recycled tubs are brand new or refurbished?

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/beko-pro-recycledtub-wdex8540430w-bluetooth-8-kg-washer-dryer-white-10212769.html

Just the tub is made with recycled plastic bottles apparently