Washer and Tumble dryer OR Washer Dryer???

[sum11]

Need some advice. Redoing our kitchen next week. So far we have kept two slots one for washer and other for dryer.

My better half is not happy as we are wasting space. According to him, these days you can buy washer/dryer as one machine from Bosch or Samsung. I need some advice whether we would be better of buying two separate machines or a single machine.

Are the separate units much better than a combined machine?

If you are suggesting single machine which would you recommend. We are family of four.

Please help.

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

Yeah I'd go seperate too. I've got a Miele combined unit and it was supposed to be the best of the best, but it takes an age to dry things. Towels take maybe 5-6 hours of drying.

It has been pretty reliable and it does save space, but it's definitely at the expense of time!

[sum11]

So everybody suggesting separate machine and condenser mechanism. Many thanks for all the help.

[YesThisIsMe]

I've recently got my first tumble dryer and I went for a standard condenser over the much more expensive heat pump. Heat pumps are more energy efficient but they take hours and hours to do a load, and a lot of people say that they leave the clothes damp. They're also allegedly less reliable.

Top tip for new tumble dryers if you do find they leave the clothes a bit damp is to go into the small print of the manual. Somewhere there will be a special secret setting to turn the heat up.

[SugarMiceInTheRain]

Definitely separate - I hate our washer dryer but currently don't have space for separate ones. The dryer has stopped working several times and we've had to have it fixed. Even when it does work, it takes about 3 hours to dry a small/normal load.

[pinkieandperkie]

Definitely both

[feralcat19]

Definitely separate machines. Have experienced both and agree with other comments. Separate tumble dryer is the way to go!

[Horehound]

I have a washer dryer and you can dry a full load. It's a hot point and its great.

I was advised to not go for washer dryer but it's cheaper to get one unit. And it's really good!!

[hollyisalovelyname]

I've had both.
If I had the space, definitely a washer AND a dryer. No contest.

[FreeFromHarm]

bosch condenser dryer has been the best investment , its economical, as for a washing machine, bosch is the best, service and warranty next to none .

[ohidoliketobe]

Is there any way in the kitchen design you could have the 2 machines stacked in a tall unit instead of taking up 2 single base units? We did this when he had our kitchen done and the company made us a little corner cupboard for it which also has space for ironing board, hoover, steam mop etc. Best thing we did

[HolaWeenie]

I've just got rid of my hotpoint washer dryer after 10yrs, good riddance. A repair man (I met a lot of them during that 10yrs!) told me the drying function is basically just a hair dryer pointing down into the drum! You can get away with drying smalls but it would take about 60mins to dry say 10-15 pieces of underwear and 5 pairs of socks. I wouldn't dry anything big or heavy like towels, it would take ages. It's energy hungry too (I have a smart meter, and you can see the pennies going up and up!). However, we just didn't have space at our last two properties, a month after moving to this house and it died, we have a utility room now so I got a washer and a separate dryer, it takes 20 mins tops to dry smalls, 45mins for a couple of towels, and my energy meter is much happier!

[Sephipops]

Definitely separate. Unless you don't have the space and need a dryer if some description (I was in a flat and needed a dryer and there was only space for a washer in my kitchen, so washer dryer it was). My separate washing machine is more efficient, as is my separate dryer. My washer dryer could wash 7kg,but only dry 5kg,so I had to separate my loads, and it still took nearly all day to dry. My tumble dryer can do the same sized load without splitting in 70 minutes, and it is a cheapy hotpoint condenser.

[Alwaysinahurrynow]

Separate machines if you have the space. It's far easier with children.

[CoffeeCoffeeAndLotsOfIt]

I've had a combined before (washed well but dryer was bad). Putting two separate functions in one machine will never work as well as two separates.

I now have a Bosch washing machine and a Bosch dryer. Happy with both.

[StickTheDMWhereTheSunDontShine]

If you have the space, separates are always better. Been stuck with a washer dryer for 13 years, now (actually on our 4th) and it's a struggle when the weather is not good.

[SpecialStains]

Separate machines. Washer/driers seem to break constantly and never get your clothes properly dry and make them smell odd (I've used a few different brands over the years in rented accommodation). I've recently got a separate washing machine/tumble dryer for the first time and I love my tumble dryer so much!

[Abetes]

Definitely separate machines. Washer dryers are rubbish.

[Ilovewillow]

We've had both types and I would go for seperate every time. We spent a bit extra and brought Miele, they are both still going strong 10 yrs later.

[LadyB49]

I wouldn't have a washer dryer again. I now have washing machine in kitchen, behind a cupboard door. Dryer in the garage. Both are basic models, Indesit, and have been going for 8 years.

[OutOfAces]

I'm going to go against the trend here and say our washer-dryer is fine. Washes and dries well. And I can put a whole load in the dryer, but maybe I do smaller loads than others. Takes a few hours to do a wash and dry though.
But it depends on how you're going to use it - how often would you use the dryer? And how many loads of washing do you do? I personally don't like tumble dried clothes, so I generally only use it for towels and emergency baby things. If I used it more I'd definitely get separates as it would be a pain waiting for the dryer to finish before I could do another load of laundry.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

There are always combination ones in the cottages we rent, they take about two hours to dry a few pairs of knickers and t shirts, it's pitiful.

[brodchengretchen]

IME (and that's quite a lot, sadly, from living in small rented flats) the combined machines broke down more frequently if needed daily or for more that just occasional use. There is also not option for running both functions at the same time. If you have any choice in the matter get both and don't worry about OH - unless of course he is happy to go to the launderette so that your household can keep up with the laundry?

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Separate machines definitely. I had a meile condenser drier, it was nearly 13 years old when it conked out, I'm on my second now.

[LarrytheCucumber]

I have a washer dryer having had separate ones.
Separate ones are much better.

[PenelopePitstops]

I'd put the drier in the garage as that's the noisiest one. My inlaws have a condenser and love it.