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.

[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.

[Alwaysinahurrynow]

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

[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.

[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!

[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

[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 .

[hollyisalovelyname]

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

[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!!

[feralcat19]

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

[pinkieandperkie]

Definitely both

[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.

[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.

[sum11]

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