Considering buying a combo machine!

[greekislandgirl]

After a year with NO washing machine (or dryer) and having to do everything by hand, we are moving and have decided to buy a washing machine. I like drying on the line and am planning to continue to do that when weather allows but I learned this year that that means going weeks without being able to wash clothes in the winter (which was not fun, trust me!!). However, we will not be able to have a clothes dryer because we will be renting, and there is no way to have it vented (dryers are extremely rare in southern Europe).

I am considering getting a combo washer/dryer, like this one:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/LG-WM3987HW-Front-Washer-Capacity/dp/B0039V7JFG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1305447729&sr=8-2"]Amazon.com: LG WM3987HW 27 Front Load Washer/Dryer Combo, 4.2 cu. ft. Ultra Capacity - White: Kitchen & Dining@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RZvKK8zYL.@@AMEPARAM@@41RZvKK8zYL[/ame]

The price on that one is crazy, here they are only about €200 more than a washing machine so it would be cheaper than buying one of each, and I'm not necessarily looking for an ultra low price as, if I bought this, I would be buying it to have for a long time (hopefully!!). There are a few different brands. Obviously they are all front loading machines. It seems the main differences between them are programs and size of loads they can handle.

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with these machines. The reviews are mixed - some people love them, some say the dryer is very poor since it uses condensation drying instead of vented drying. If I could even just get my clothes half-dry, I could probably put them on a line for a few hours. The problem I have is that in the winter, if I just put them on the line wet, there's not enough time in between rainfall for the clothes to dry. If they were already partially dry, they probably would be able to dry in between rain. So I'm not worried about them not drying 100%, 50% would be enough.

Our other option is to buy a really cheap washing machine, keep line drying, and revisit the problem in a few years.

[Ceashels]

I like the idea of a washer/dryer combo... but having read the reviews. I don't think they are ready to be on the market yet. Out of 13 reviews, 8 were positive and 5 were negative..... I see that as close to 40 % that had problems and that's a lot.

A lot of the issues were with the water lines and pumps breaking, having repeated service visits for replacement parts and the people complaining about the lack of courtesy with the customer service reps (saying the extended warranty should have been purchased). -- if I am going to buy a machine of such high quality and price, I shouldn't need the extended warranty, should I?

You might do better with purchasing a washer and devising a way to line dry inside your home with a blowing fan on the rainy days. Sorry but I would pass on this type of machine.

[pat in east texas]

An unvented dryer takes a very long time to get clothes dry. And has to use a lot more electricity in the process. A stackable pair might be better, if you have the room for it.

[Judi Dial]

I agree with both of the above AND have something to add from my brief time fixing washers/dryers for Sears. A combo washer/dryer is almost always MORE expensive to fix than stand alone equipment because in order to get both functions in the same size box, the tolerances become more critical and you have to move more parts to get at other parts...so things break easier AND it almost always costs more (as it takes more time to take things apart to fix thing) in labor.

My

Judi

[Libby]

I think going with the washer alone and perhaps running the clothes through an extra spin cycle could help take the excess moisture out? then line dry or use indoor dryer racks? The only thing you'd need to do is plan ahead - ie know how long the clothes will take to dry inside and plan accordingly for upcoming events.

[Debbie-cat]

I don't think I would buy a machine like that. As OP's said, parts would be extremely expensive. I like the idea of adding a fan to help dry your clothes on a drying rack in the house. Never thought of that.

[frugalwarrior2]

Are you sure you can't vent it?? We had a stackable in our MIL apt that I loved. The combo's are used in England? I thought I saw shows w/ them on or was it another washer/dryer combo??

[zakity]

I second the fan thing. If I need a tank dried (I don't dry them in the dryer) for the next day, I just put it across the couch and turn the ceiling fan on for the night.

[craftypam]

If money is not a large part of the issue; a front load washer spins clothes so fast they dry very quickly. This might be another choice you could consider.

[greekislandgirl]

Thanks for all the insights! We used to dry clothes inside and it takes about 3 days here because of the humidity which when you live in a 1 br apt seems like a long time... but I think it may be childish of me to think I can have it all. I am just sick of washing/drying everything by hand for a year and saw this and thought it could be the answer to my prayers.

frugalwarrior2 - Neither my husband, nor I, nor a friend from here I asked last night has ever heard of an apartment in Greece having a dryer or being vented for one. You can buy them here, but where a large appliance store might have 20 washers, they'll usually have 1 dryer and not in stock - so, I'm just taking it for granted that we can't, even though we haven't picked out our apartment yet. If I were going to buy a house I would just do whatever I wanted but it's looking unlikely that we'll buy since we can't be sure that we won't just move again in another couple years. But even if it were vented for a dryer, I wouldn't want a standalone dryer since I'd only use it 20% of the time, and only to get the clothes half dry (I prefer to line dry).

Basically, if I don't get a combo machine, I wouldn't get a dryer even if I could - I really wanted this to be the solution. Now I'm sad. <-- in keeping with the childishness.

CraftyPam - 99% of washers here are front-loading, so I doubt I'd have the option of purchasing a top-loader anyway.

[frugalwarrior2]

Sorry. Never traveled anywhere and lived there. It does remind me of trying to retro fit my 1st house. Just couldn't be done here syndrome. We had our microwave plugged in into the bsmt. from a hole in the kitchen floor. (not our set up). Everytime we would plug in the hair dryer and run 1 more thing the 40 amp service would blow!
My point is I can understand the frustration. Your used to more.
I would ask any apt. dwellers and at every apt you look at renting. Maybe you can get a pleasant surprise? here's hoping. But at least a washer w/o a dryer is a step up from neither.

[TigerGirl1226]

My mom's condo has a combo. I think the brand is "Tromm". It has a personality. She'll tell us that "Tromm is moody today!". It doesn't always get the clothes super dry and sometimes they are "crunchy" regardless of using a softener. She said that she would never have purchased it, but it came with the condo.

Sorry to be a downer!

[ktsmama]

One thing to remember is the washer will wring the clothes out much better than you can do by hand which should help the clothes line dry faster.

I think I would go with the stand alone washer.

[mndtrp]

From what I understand, the front-loading type of washing machines get the clothes pretty dry already. While I don't know your humidity situation, I would think then line drying with a fan shouldn't take more than a few hours. Using a foldable drying rack, and placing the fan at the end, might even work better than an indoor clothesline.

[greekislandgirl]

That is a really good point about the clothes being very well rung out coming out of the washing machine. I ring stuff out as well as I possibly can but you're right that the machine will do a better job. Thanks for making me feel better!!!