Can you use an integrated washing machine but not integrate it?

[FlouncingBabooshka]

Possibly a silly question, I know.

We need a new washing machine. Currently we have to have an integrated one but early next year we hope to be moving things around and it will need to be freestanding. For obvious reasons we don’t want to buy now and then replace within a few months. Is there any reason why an integrated machine cannot be used as a freestanding - beyond aesthetics?

Wondering if it needs the support of the surrounding cupboard. Would it move around too much?

Does anyone have experience doing this?

[DappledOliveGroves]

It will work fine. Ours is integrated but the surrounding units make absolutely no difference to how it stands, moves or functions.

[FlouncingBabooshka]

Thanks @DappledOliveGroves - good to know.

[Cherrypicker85]

Ours is a hisense integrated and it wouldn't work without the support from the furniture boards on either side and the weight of the front panel. Before we screwed it in it kept moving around and the door wouldn't stay open - it needed to be weighted.

[FlouncingBabooshka]

Ah, that’s what I was worried about @Cherrypicker85. Thanks for the letting me know.

[ramblingsonthego]

Just buy a freestanding one and take off the door and kick board etc.... it will work out a lot cheaper and be more aesthetically pleasing than an integrated, not integrated.

[olivo]

We had a free standing one for years once the integrated one gave up. No problem.

[WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants]

Yep, I'd buy a freestanding one & just remove the door etc

If you haven't bought one fir a while, watch out for the length of the cycles Everyone seems to be saying they're hugely long, even the 'quick' washes.

Dreading having to replace mine (going the opposite way to you, have free standing, need integrated. (Small kitchen, have to
Put it near the oven, needs to be flush with the cabinets & have a cabinet door)

[BlahBlub]

Our integrated machine worked just fine as a freestanding appliance for nearly a year. We bought it in anticipation of installing a new kitchen and integrating it then.

However, you could very likely fit a freestanding machine in the slot now as suggested by PP - it should be a standard width.