Washer dryers

[3sixty]

Yes, possibly the most boring post on Pistonheads ever.

I am about to move into a new house, and having left our trusty washing machine behind, the OH has decided that a washer dryer would be best.

Theres just the 2 of us, with a little one on the way, so we don't need anything big. Plus having just bought our 2nd house, we're not as rich anymore so we are looking to spend sub £350.

I've read (Yes, there are washer dryer review websites!) that Bosch are good and I've found a few that are around £320.

Anyone any recommendations?

[cjs]

My recommendation is not to have a washer-dryer, if you have the space go for separate units. Combined washer-dryers are a compromise, they do not perform very well, especially the dryer. They go wrong more often. Having owned one myself I would not have another, there again this was 10 years ago so things may have improved.

[Cupramax]

Yep, pretty much the same here, had an all in one originally which was crap fro drying, now have two separate units, much much better.

[Morningside]

I give it 6 months before failure.

[3sixty]

Yeah, I understand 2 is better than 1 combo, but we simply don't have the room for two separate units. I also understand they wont be particular good at drying, but so long as it does at least part of the job it will be of benefit.

Slightly worried about them not lasting long though, but most I have seen do have 1/2 year warranties.

[voicey]

If you do buy one it is worth factoring in the cost of an extended warenty - as mentioned above they do tend to go wrong quite often.

[freecar]

Also invest in a guard as the glass gets hotter than normal single ones, there was a thing on TV a few years back about toddlers and burned hands!

[Simpo Two]

Get a condensing one, and note that it you want it to tumble try effectively don't cram it full (unless you want to take half out and dry in two batches.

Years ago I had a Philco model with a flat panel front which dropped down horizontally - so nothing hot to touch and you don't pull clean washing onto a dirty floor.

[Engineer1]

3sixty said:

Slightly worried about them not lasting long though, but most I have seen do have 1/2 year warranties.

Don't buy Hotpoint/Indisit/Aristion or any of the other related ones, I got through 2 in 3 years as they kept failing both flooded my kitchen, both stopped drying properly both had the same stty designed in faults.
Buy a real washer then find a small cupboard and get yourself a mini dryer similar to this.

If you do buy a washer dryer get the maximum warranty because unless you are massively lucky you will be claiming on it.

[GarryA]

Just had my Hotpoint w/d fixed, never use the drier 'cos its st so, it must have felt left out when deciding to turn itself on during a wash cycle and not shut off, ended up with a wash basket full of smoking clothes. If I wasn't at home it would have burnt the house down.

The engineer that came out could not believe how hot it had got, the safety cut outs did not operate.

It also needed a fricking laptop plugging into it - diagnostics on a washing machine, jesus wept.

[freecar]

Simpo Two said:

Get a condensing one, and note that it you want it to tumble try effectively don't cram it full (unless you want to take half out and dry in two batches.

Years ago I had a Philco model with a flat panel front which dropped down horizontally - so nothing hot to touch and you don't pull clean washing onto a dirty floor.

That sounds just the ticket! The program I watched was probably 15 or more years ago so I'm glad to see that design features have saved the day!

[3sixty]

Thanks for replies guys

I have read the Hotpoint and Indesit horror stories, looks like I am going with the Bosch one I found (Germany = quality surely? ) and get a warranty with it

Edited by 3sixty on Friday 3rd December 16:43