Washer dryer that just does the job.

[DuckCootLoon]

I had a fantastic AEG washing (only) machine for 15 years. When it died I got a Hoover washer dryer that I've hated from the get go. I have no space for a separate dryer. I only use the dryer for about 6 weeks a year cos it was so rubbish. Perhaps I won't bother and should just get a washer that works.
Damned machine had the last laugh by dying in a cloud of acrid smoke, so I now have all the windows open and it's freezing outside. Also my washing is locked in it.

Please help me find a machine that will lower my curse count.

My wish list:
Gets actually dirty clothes clean
A wool cycle that works without my needing to remember to press 5 more buttons to stop it from felting everything.
Starts when I press the button, instead of beeping and then doing nothing.
Dryer that dries heavy items like towels and duvet covers instead of rolling up into a ball and crisping the outside while the inside steams. I wouldn't object to opening it and shaking things out mid-cycle, but the old one locked itself for the full non-negotiable 3 hours of drying.
A shorter drying cycle, so I could put stuff that's almost dry from the line in to quickly finish, without needing to wait 3 hours.
A countdown clock that counts in Earth minutes, not a space-time measurement chosen at random. (I could probably forgive waiting half an hour for the last two minutes to end if my clothes actually came out wearable).
The little drain thing at the bottom has a hose, so I can channel the water into a tub, instead of under the machine.

Thanks for any help

I once had a Bosch washer-dryer and it never really worked. The dryer part died after only 18 months. I know others who have had similar experiences with other brands too.

I've always had separate machines since then and wouldn't go back to a washer-dryer. Useless. So I'd go back to just having a washing machine.

The dryer part of my Bosch washer dryer died after about 18 months, got it repaired and it broke after 3 weeks. The repair man said that he would never recommend them.

Gave up after second failure and bought a clothes rack and a dehumidifier - never looked back.

I have a candy washer dryer which is really good. It dries properly rather than just create a load of boiling hot steam like my old one did. I don’t ever do a full wash dry cycle though. I wait for the wash to finish, shake it all out and then put the dryer on. It changes the time automatically depending on how much is in there/ how wet it is so can finish things from the line

Thanks. Just a washing machine is much cheaper.
The five or six trips a year to the launderette that I'd save with a combination don't seem worth it.

@DuckCootLoon Similar situation and we just went with a washing machine. A dehumidifier and/ or a heated drying rack can make a huge difference too. Just take duvets to the launderette.

I think washer dryers are a bit of a con tbh, they never work properly and they run for hours and hours. I'd rather just have a good washing machine that does a nice, quick, efficient cycle, and sort the drying myself.

Separate washing machine here, the limited experience I've had of washer dryers made me decide to never have one. Have a Bosch Series 6 washer, and love it. Had Indesit and zanussi before that, it's much better. If I have a gripe, it's that the spin cycle needs repeating for towels, but that's about it.

I've never had, nor has any of my family, good experiences with washer dryers. I know some people are limited on space for a washer and separate dryer though.

the problem is that for the dryer to dry you need to remove about half the load. which is a total pita.

We had one and it was just awful. It was a Ariston and DH used to joke that it went on and on and on! All the cycles went on forever and it never ended up dry-it would just get hot and wet.

I like you only use dryer a few weeks a year. Mine is LG direct drive washer dryer. It serves me well. I always wash then will put dryer in after rather than set it to wash and dry in one programme. Works for me. Use dehumidifier a good bit too which is another option for you.