Question About Washers/Dryers

[nycwriter]

OK, after following everyone's considered advice on my recent vacuum purchase (Aerus Guardian Platinum, which I love), I'm soliciting advice for my next major purchase: a washer and dryer set or washer/dryer combo unit.

This one might be more appropriate for the Europeans, but Americans feel free to chime in.

I don't have a laundry room, so I'm looking for a model that would fit under my kitchen counter. I actually have more than enough room (although serious alterations would be necessary) to put both a washer and a dryer under the kitchen countertop (not just an all-in-one unit).

Yes, I'm aware of the drawbacks of these all-in-one units ... up to five hours of total wash/dry time per load, small loads, etc., but as an apartment dweller who has to schlep his laundry down five flights (no elevator) to a communal basement laundry with only four washers and four dryers are shared in a 60-unit building, ANYTHING is better than nothing.

My limitations:

-- I'm technically not allowed to do this (install my own washer), so whatever unit(s) I install will have to be over-the-top reliable and as quiet as possible so as not to disturb the downstairs neighbors (a solid two-foot brick wall separates my kitchen from the next-door neighbor's kitchen, so I don't think sound would be an issue there -- gotta love these 1920s-era masonry buiildings!)

-- The dryer must be ventless (yes, I understand the inherent limitations here, but again, I'm not even allowed to bring this unit into my apartment, much less punch a hole in the exterior wall of the building ... and venting out of a window is strictly against the New York City fire code).

-- I've been considering the Miele W3039i washer and matching Miele T8003 condenser dryer. Any opinions on these models?

-- Cost is not an object.

Thanks guys!

 

[danemodsandy]

Get Yourself Over....

To www.automaticwasher.org , a sister site to this one. The folks over there know every make, every model, every quirk and every limitation.

You're in NYC - if you've ever seen a bunch of Hasidic rabbis argue the Talmud, you have a dim idea of how passionate, knowledgeable and thorough the discussion at AW.org can be.

The Deluxe forum is the one for current-model, non-vintage machines.

 

[luxman107]

Matt,
There is company called Splendide that makes a combo washer and dryer for the RV industry that may work for what you are looking for. If you google it they will come up at stores like camping world. They are 120 volt so you could plug into a regular outlet. I know they use to make ventless ones, don't know if they still do because the where extremely slow to dry. Even the vented ones hold only a small load and are slow to dry but could possibly work for you.

 

[kirbyguy]

Miele

I have a Miele washer model 1918 that I purchased 13 years ago as an additional second washing machine. To date I have never had any mechanical issues with the machine and it does a fantastic job washing. The Miele washer is the quietest operating of any smaller/apartment size front load machine.

Miele washers & dryers are pricy. However, well worth the money.

 

[JDrums0789]

I had a LG all in one unit for 2 years before I moved to the new house. I actually loved it. And if you followed the instructions for loading, you could easily do a decent load in 2 hours.
I actually bought mine for $250 used from a friend of a friend (Single mom with 5 kids) who said it was a useless piece of junk. It was less than a year old! She was obviously overloading it and who would expect a small machine like that to keep up with a large family!
Anyway, even after the abuse, it performed great. Very quiet and washed like a dream. I loved that you could tell it to add water too. (A feature I sorely miss on the new Maytag)
It was very convienent to be able to set it, forget it, and come back to clean, dry clothes.