washer-dryer advice

Re: washer-dryer advice

Washer dryers are a bit of a pig-in-a-poke. They will wash a 5 or 6kg load the same as any other washer – the fun starts with the the drying side of things. In very small print in the user book, it tells you that it will only dry half a load at a time. This is the tip of a rather complex iceberg.

The machine will dry half a load of light cottons or synthetics – ie, teeshirts, smalls, hand towels, socks and stuff, which can “fly” through” the hot air flow in the undersized drum. It all goes pear-shaped with bath/beach towels, which spread out and strangle the air flow. Then you get onto the density/weight problem. Denim jeans are a classic problem – the machines will get them to a stage where they can be finished off with an iron, but they will not dry them.

Also consider that a modern washer dryer will dry half a load of washing in 90 minutes, using, typically 2.7/2.9kW/Hr. A tumble dryer will do all the load in an hour for the same usage rate in less time.

Also consider that the washer dryer is an immensely complex beastie. In these days of computer control any fault detected in the washer or dryer section will stop the machine altogether.

The ideal solution for a low usage situation is a washer and a compact dryer which can be wheeled out when required.

If you have to go with a washer dryer, the Electrolux Group machines’ dryers work quite well until they fill with fluff and the elctronics can be a bit eccentric. BSH stuff is better but expensive.

Penguin45.