Washer dryer - combo or separates?

[Parm]

Wow, that settles that, separates it is.

I'm also liking the idea of drying stuff outside. Wasn't a great option in our top-floor apartment, but now that we're going to have a garden...

Looks like it's gonna be a dedicated washing machine to start with (Miele if I find a good offer, Bosch if not) and see how we get on.

[Kaged]

Just to add to the above, AEG have always been good to me for a manufacturer.

[directhex]

Just to add to the above, AEG have always been good to me for a manufacturer.

Basically, Germans.

[superlattice09]

If you have space, get a separate one. I don't use one myself. Just hang dry in the storage room where the hot water reservoir is.

[Trash Man]

If you do go for a Boosh, be sure to check up on the model as some of the cheaper ones are made in Spain. Not saying they worse then the German made counterparts but the cheaper ones all seem to come from Spain.

[pp05]

I agree with everyone else that said buy seperates.

For washing machine - look at Siemens range.
For dryer - look at gas based ones if you can. They are cheaper to run. If electric based get a cheap one depending on how much you think you will use it.

[Saracen]

....

Looks like it's gonna be a dedicated washing machine to start with (Miele if I find a good offer, Bosch if not) and see how we get on.

Well, your call of course, but personally, I'd say Miele if you can afford it, Siemens/AEG if you can't. Too many people I know in the trade have said that they wouldn't buy a Bosch washer. I haven't asked too much detail about why, but the general opinion was .... too many of them come back or need call-outs.

But it's an anecdotal view, and maybe not that reliable a view. I just know, I wouldn't buy a Bosch washer, based on what I was told. We will probably now get numerous comments from people that have them and have had no trouble.

[pipTheGeek]

We have a Bosch washing machine. It was expensive and has needed a drain pump so far. Better than our previous Indisit though, the bearings died after 18 months, replaced them, 6 months later it stopped going round, as far as I could tell it was the motor control board, binned the machine at that point though. It is nice to take apart though, the Indisit was like working in a £5 PC case, lots of sharp edges.
I haven't owned a combined washer/dryer, my dad used to have one and it could only dry half a load, it took ages and used loads of water while it was drying. I don't think they have improved very much since though.
There are tumble dryers now that use a heat pump so they are slightly more efficient than normal ones. Although currently VERY expensive. Also, just because you have a tumble dryer, doesn't mean you HAVE to use it. We use ours during winter but dry the clothes on the line when we can.

[RobTi]

Agree with all the above, had a combination a few years ago for space (everyone told me not to) and never again after drying the clothes would come out hot, sometimes too hot to handle and the company said this was common (before condensing dryers) so never again.

Also with regards to the Bosch items, have a Bosch washing machine that is made in germany (says on the label) and has never put a foot wrong in 6 years, also have the same level of Bosch dryer (made in the E.U.)and has had 3 belts, so i would always try for a made in Germany model

Robert

[pp05]

We have a Bosch washing machine. It was expensive and has needed a drain pump so far. Better than our previous Indisit though, the bearings died after 18 months, replaced them, 6 months later it stopped going round, as far as I could tell it was the motor control board, binned the machine at that point though. It is nice to take apart though, the Indisit was like working in a £5 PC case, lots of sharp edges.
I haven't owned a combined washer/dryer, my dad used to have one and it could only dry half a load, it took ages and used loads of water while it was drying. I don't think they have improved very much since though.
There are tumble dryers now that use a heat pump so they are slightly more efficient than normal ones. Although currently VERY expensive. Also, just because you have a tumble dryer, doesn't mean you HAVE to use it. We use ours during winter but dry the clothes on the line when we can.

I think for most people having at least a 1200 spin machine leaves your clothes pretty rinsed. It might be worth looking into a traditional spin dryer in conjunction with a clothes-horse.

[Smudger]

We've got a 1400 spin LG - the one off the gadget show a few years ago - and the clothes come out pretty dry. 'Er indoors then hangs them on the line, or the clothes horse, and they're proper dry in about an hour or so...

[Saracen]

We've got a 1400 spin LG - the one off the gadget show a few years ago - and the clothes come out pretty dry. 'Er indoors then hangs them on the line, or the clothes horse, and they're proper dry in about an hour or so...

And that's more or less what we do, with the caveat that, in decent and warmish weather, we always hang stuff outside to dry. They "air" better that way.

But fast spin speeds are one reason for buying a decent machine, like Miele, Siemens or, yes, LG. An old machine we had (Hotpoint, IIRC) had a mind of it's own when it spun at high (1400) speed. We never knew quite where we'd find it, but it'd often be 6 inches, or more, from where it was before it spun. And we tried everything, from service engineers, to adjusting the feet, to carpet pads underneath it. It still sent walkabout.

And a friend had one that, on one occasion, went walkabout so badly it pulled the water feed pipe off and spouted water all over his utility room from the mains pipe. Fortunately, he saw it pretty quickly and turned off the water.

Our more recent machines ("decent" makes) don't go walkabout at all. If they move a millimetre, I'd be surprised, unlike the frequent escape attempts that blasted Hotpoint used to make.

[Parm]

I've had a few people put red alerts next to Hotpoint - thanks all for the warnings, that's them ruled out.

But I'm still nowhere near finding the right washing machine. Seems you can almost get two Bosch units for the price of a Miele (so, naturally, I'm thinking if it breaks I could just buy a new one), and what's the difference between an £800 Miele and a £2,000 Miele?

Who'd have thought laundry could be so complicated. I have a new found sense of respect for the missus.

[Saracen]

... and what's the difference between an £800 Miele and a £2,000 Miele?
....

Sorry, but I've gotta say it.

£1200.



But as it happens, I was looking at two (side-by-side in the showroom) Miele double ovens a couple of days ago, at roughly £600 and £1200 respectively. And I asked that question. It turned out there were a number of differences, ranging from the trivial to the fairly significant.

So the only serous answer to that is to ask, and compare specs of the £800 and £2000 machine. Personally, while I could stomach £800-£1000 for a very high end washing machine, on the basis of the durability as evidenced by the guarantee, I'd find it very hard to see what could possibly justify going from £800-£2000.

My guess is that a fair bit of it will be marketing, designed to appeal to those with too much money, that are stupid enough to pay the two grand because, as it's the top-of-the-line, it 'must' be the best, or because they want to boast to neighbours/friends.

But if you ever find out what the differences are, let us know, please, I could use a good laugh.

[doyll49]

Might consider a dehumidifier if drying inside.

Dehumidifier helps keep bungalow dry in wet weather, steam from cooking, hot showers, etc. as well. I dump 2-4 litre a month in winter.

[Saracen]

Might consider a dehumidifier if drying inside.

Dehumidifier helps keep bungalow dry in wet weather, steam from cooking, hot showers, etc. as well. I dump 2-4 litre a month in winter.

Indeed. It depends, though, on the house. Here, it's not needed, as we've plenty of space and a large utility room. The mother-in-law, though, did need one.