Starter washing machine and fridge.

[Finallygrowingup]

Hello

We are soon (hopefully if we ever complete) to move into our first house. We would need to purchase a washing machine and fridge. Our budget is limited, maybe not the cheapest but certainly not high end.

1. Please could you reccomend washing machines (lower end of washing machine price range ideally though if good product will consider mid range).

2. please could you reccomend a single fridge/freezer (less than £500).

3. there is cupboard space for an integrated fridge freezer that is currently being used as a larder cupboard - is it easy/cheap to instal a fridge into this space (labour cost not fridge cost)

4. thanks in advance everybody :)

If you could manage £330 for the washing machine, I'd go for the cheapest Bosch. I have, over the years, wasted so much money on washing machines that just don't last whereas everyone I know who has a Bosch has got years and years and years out of them. I have tried Beko, Hoover and Zanussi, because I was short of money and was looking for a bargain. Hoover lasted three years, the Beko and Zanussi lasted just over a year. Currently have a Samsung because it has a five year warranty.

I would get freestanding and keep the larder space.
If you have £500 to spend you have a good choice.

Search on AO (appliances online). Their website has the best ‘search’ option IMO.

Set your search preferences - colour, split type, brand, price range, frost free or not (go frost free!) integrated/non-integrated, water dispenser etc...

You will find one that suits you!
Mine is Hotpoint, grey, freestanding, frost free, 60/40 split but might not be what you need or want

AO is great btw! You’re just cutting out the middle man (shop) and their markup when you buy from them. Great customer service in my experience.

I agree re. Bosch for a washing machine!

For washing machine my preference is:
My search filters would be:
Bosch, High spin speed, freestanding, large capacity. Quick wash function.
I have never got on with washer dryers.

A washing machine engineer told me that lots of makes are all actually exactly the same , just with a different brand name stuck on them . He said to google the online user manual using the model serial number and you can then see which makes are actually the same because they all use the same manual.
I bought Curry’s own brand fridge and it’s been fine .

Over the years I have had high end and budget range washing machines and none have lasted much more than 5 years and it is always the drum that goes. But I have 5 adults at home and the washing machine is used for at least one wash a day but often more.
In fact the I had to order a new one yesterday as the drum went on a a three year old beko. As I need the machine delivered quickly it did limit the availability but I have gone for a Lodik1400 spin as it was the only one over 1200 spin they could deliver this week.( I only like to use a small independent supplier)
The fridge I replaced before Christmas and went for a 70 cm beko. Very limited choice without spending mega money as I specifically wanted a 70 cm. the beko is fine and was under £500. Plenty of space and the extra width is a godsend at Christmas and times you have extra food to store.

For the washing machine if you can go £300ish have a look at Blomberg. You can get it from a local Euronics shop (look online at the Euronics website to find model then the shops are in different places) and they may even deliver install for free.

They are pretty solid, have a good range of washes ability to do extra rinsing range of spins etc.

They come with 3 year guarantees, parts and labour so you don’t need to worry about it for that time at least.

Fridge freezer go with freestanding for now. Check decibel levels.

Also talk to the Euronics shop about the fridge freezer. They will advise on models and sometimes have deals. I got a great deal on a Siemens stainless steel dishwasher.

Blomberg is rebadged beko.

When I bought my fridge freezer the beko 70 cm is the exact same as the blomberg 70cm just with a different badge on it.
Both beko and blomberg are owned by Arcelik. Who is owned by koc holdings a Turkish company.

washing machines are no longer designed to be repairable - sealed drums so the bearings can't be fixed. Buy cheap.

Indesit mytime here with a one hour standard cycle and a 30 min at 30 degrees. Just don't buy the 6kg as it has a rectangular footprint and dances across the floor unless restrained; make sure you buy one with square footprint.

modern stuff is frankly all a bit shit!

for fridge/freezer; look around for nearly new second hand ones. Lots of people change them when they redo the kitchen.

Anyone interested in who makes what - here is a good link.
It shows brands owned and made by the same companies.

www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/buying-advice/all-appliances/2633-what-is-in-a-name/

Logic is curry’s own brand but rebranded daewoo who also make Bosch.
First time I have bought a washer from curry’s and only used them as the independent I usually use has nothing they can delivery until next week.
I don’t think people realise how interlinked these brands are.

‘John Lewis’ branded products are Electrolux

www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/help/about-the-appliance-industry/manufacturer-information/3204-john-lewis-appliances

I recently bought a Beto 50/50 fridge freezer as I needed more storage and so far I like it better than the Bosch one that cost double the price that is in the kitchen. It’s quieter and the exterior doesn’t feel warm to the touch.
My washing machine is a Hoover that is now over 10 years old. I’ll be sorry when it dies as it has a fast spin and two or three programmes that I use all the time.
Being honest it was a nightmare during its first three years but I had taken out one of those insurances that everyone says you shouldn’t and it more than paid for itself the number of times I had to call for an engineer. Since then it’s worked perfectly and apart from some mould on the seal it looks like new.
I also have one of the cheapest Beko tumble dryers which is now into its third year and wouldn’t disagree that so long as there are no safety concerns there is nothing wrong with buying cheaper appliances. That said for some reason I do lust after a Miele washing machine.

That said for some reason I do lust after a Miele washing machine.

Ahh... despite everything I have posted above, Miele are in a class of their own! ❤️

Re labour cost for integrated fridge

Mine was done so long ago, I can't remember but it is a fiddly job so whatever labour time they estimate, add on at least an hour. You can use a handy type, one person service or a person who claims to specialise so decide that, then call round for costs.

I agree with buying cheap. Nothing is designed to last. Cheap appliances have lasted ages for me. Also don't fall for any stupid frills like switching on the machine from your mobile. The more fancy crap, the more there is to go wrong.

Washers are much the same (unless you’re buying a super expensive fancy one) but check the programme lengths - lots of them have incredibly long washes to boost their eco credentials. And obviously buy the highest son speed you can get.

Oh wow. There is a lot to consider!! This has been so helpful, thank you all.

Remember also OP... the more fancy features the appliance has, the more there is to go wrong (I’m talking about complicated digital displays, timers, pre-set programmes... bloody wi-if compatible etc!)

The cheap Bosch are just cheap washing machines with the Bosch brand stuck on. They are in no way as good as the expensive ones and not made in the same factories
I would buy either reconditioned Miele or high end Bosch, Siemens or Neff.
If buying a new washing machine Beko is slightly better than most of the other cheap machines and is much more repairable.
Stay away from the ovehyped Samsung and lg ones.

@Finallygrowingup

Oh wow. There is a lot to consider!! This has been so helpful, thank you all.

No, there isn't really.

Buy cheap.

Free standing if possible.

Will you have help fixing the plumbing for the washing machine?

The built in fridge freezers are expensive snd not as efficient as free standing. So get a freestanding.

Miele are best but a Bosch would be fine. My old AEG lasted 15 years. My Siemens 15 years too. Miele is 3 years old snd I’m in love with it. I’m expecting to be very old before it gives up! Buy best, buy once is always a good idea.

Look at Which. You only need £1 to have a look. Some fridge freezers are not rated by them due to concerns about flammable materials (Grenfell fridge fire). It pays to know what NOT to buy.

Bosch/Siemens, definitely for a washer.

And beko are pretty decent for refrigeration. Our beko fridge is 10 years old and still works well despite being quite battered. It replaced a bosch fridge freezer that I wasn't particularly impressed with.

I have been very happy with my Bosch washing machine and Beko freezer.

And keep in mind that most of the "reputable" brand names like Hotpoint, zanussi etc that made good machines years ago have been sold and all make the same cheap generic stuff.
I recently spoke with an appliance engineer in a very rural area and he said while Miele is still the best, it can be hard to find someone authorised to repair them. He recommended high end (made in Germany) Bosch Siemens and Neff or on the cheaper end Beko.