Stacked washer/dryer vs washer/dryer combo

[docj]

Originally Posted by slowmachine

We like the compactness of our Dometic ventless combo unit. The combo washer/dryer can wash more clothes in a load than it can dry. We generally have a decent amount of clothing that we prefer to hang-dry, like denim jeans. We set the machine to pause before drying, and the load always seems to shrink enough for efficient drying after removing the hang-dry stuff.

We do exactly the same thing.

FWIW we wash the clothes using the "cotton cycle" because that forces the machine to use its high speed spin. That way the clothes we remove to hang up are fairly dry. Then we switch to the permanent press cycle so the clothes are dried at a lower temperature.

[slowmachine]

Originally Posted by docj

There's now also an LG combo that looks interesting: https://smile.amazon.com/LG-WM3488HW...er+dryer+combo

If I remember correctly, the LG combos require a much deeper cabinet than the typical RV is designed for.

[docj]

Originally Posted by slowmachine

If I remember correctly, the LG combos require a much deeper cabinet than the typical RV is designed for.

Thanks for pointing that out. The 24" wide LG is 25 1/4" deep vs 22 5/8" for the Splendide. That means that it wouldn't fit in the space we have. Bummer!

But AJMadison does have a Haier unvented combo that is the same size as the Splendide and is a bit less expensive. There's also a Summit unit which is only slightly deeper and might fit in some applications.

https://www.ajmadison.com/b.php/Wash...er+Combos/N~70

And if you have a bit deeper space (and a lot more $$) there's an unvented LG that uses a heat pump to dry your clothes. Since heat pumps always have a hot side and a cold side, the hot side provides the drying heat and the cold side is used to condense the steam. Appears to be a lot more energy efficient and it doesn't use water during the drying cycle to condense the water vapor coming off the clothes. I bet there are more of these in the future.

[vito.a]

Originally Posted by kpecks

And are there better units available than the supplied whirlpool from a manufacturer?

Our 2007 Executive had a stacked Bosch Axxis compact washer and dryer. That was the best washing machine we've ever owned! It washed out stains better than our big residential washer at home and the spin cycle got the clothes almost dry. Bosch compact units can be expensive, so I've been watching for a slightly used set. Also, they need 220v power, but that is really not a problem.

[kpecks]

Originally Posted by vito.a

Our 2007 Executive had a stacked Bosch Axxis compact washer and dryer. That was the best washing machine we've ever owned! It washed out stains better than our big residential washer at home and the spin cycle got the clothes almost dry. Bosch compact units can be expensive, so I've been watching for a slightly used set. Also, they need 220v power, but that is really not a problem.

Those Bosch machines look nice. There’s a nice set of LG stackable on AJmadison website. Lots to think through as we’ll go through a lot of clothes on and off the road!!

[slowmachine]

Originally Posted by docj

Thanks for pointing that out. The 24" wide LG is 25 1/4" deep vs 22 5/8" for the Splendide. That means that it wouldn't fit in the space we have. Bummer!

But AJMadison does have a Haier unvented combo that is the same size as the Splendide and is a bit less expensive. There's also a Summit unit which is only slightly deeper and might fit in some applications.

https://www.ajmadison.com/b.php/Wash...er+Combos/N~70

And if you have a bit deeper space (and a lot more $$) there's an unvented LG that uses a heat pump to dry your clothes. Since heat pumps always have a hot side and a cold side, the hot side provides the drying heat and the cold side is used to condense the steam. Appears to be a lot more energy efficient and it doesn't use water during the drying cycle to condense the water vapor coming off the clothes. I bet there are more of these in the future.

The ventless Midea/Dometic/Edgestar is also a heat pump design, and the Edgestar variant is available with a built-in water heater. We have the Dometic, but I would buy an Edgestar with the water heater if I had to do it again.

[Wayne M]

We have had both. Combo unit wrinkles more than the individual units. There are commercial ones that will fit. Friend has a Splendid and wired ir ore 220v. Dry's twice as fast on 220v. DW much prefers the stackable. Wash a load, put it in the dryer and be washing another load. Stackables wash and dry faster than the combo.

We do not prefer to have either unit running when we are away.

[Mark D]

Originally Posted by kpecks

Looking to maximize space in the laundry closet. Are the dual washer/dryer units worth it vs. getting the stacked washer and dryer set??

Thx

100% yes. The combo can fit very few items plus jeans and shirts are wrinkled beyond ironing.

[docj]

Originally Posted by slowmachine

The ventless Midea/Dometic/Edgestar is also a heat pump design, and the Edgestar variant is available with a built-in water heater. We have the Dometic, but I would buy an Edgestar with the water heater if I had to do it again.

I had read that the Dometic had a heat pump, but that information is amazingly missing from any online information. Is there some reason for this? Is the manufacturer reluctant to promote this fact? The Dometic does claim it uses 20% less water which is consistent with not using water during the drying cycle, but why wouldn't they want to advertise the use of "advanced technology?

BTW, this article says the Midea has a water heater also: http://www.washerdryercomboz.com/mid...star-cwd1510w/

[slowmachine]

Originally Posted by docj

I had read that the Dometic had a heat pump, but that information is amazingly missing from any online information. Is there some reason for this? Is the manufacturer reluctant to promote this fact? The Dometic does claim it uses 20% less water which is consistent with not using water during the drying cycle, but why wouldn't they want to advertise the use of "advanced technology?

The Dometic documents that come with the washer/dryer are as pathetic as the advertising. One side-effect of the heat pump units is that they get very hot during the drying cycle. You don’t want to be stuck in a confined space with it. The ceiling vent and an open window solve the problem without having the roof air conditioner working overtime.

[WyoFree]

Yep, the stackable is the way to go. Did you ever hear someone say "Hey that girl is really Combo'd"?

It seems to me people liking the combo is like a 50/50 split. You'll almost never hear someone say they don't like the stackable.

Harry

[slowmachine]

Originally Posted by WyoFree

YDid you ever hear someone say "Hey that girl is really Combo'd"?

LOL! I have now

[grindstone01]

We started full timing with a stackable W/D and when it broke replaced it with a Haire 1600 combo unit. For us the combo unit saves space and with just 2 of us we usually do a load every other evening to keep up. We also usually hang dry our clothes either inside or outside depending on weather and CG rules. If the OP is traveling with 3 children, I would advise the stackable unit or even make room for a full size washer somehow.
One other note, combos are usually very heavy as most have a concrete counter weight to off set the high speed spin cycle.

[kpecks]

Originally Posted by grindstone01

We started full timing with a stackable W/D and when it broke replaced it with a Haire 1600 combo unit. For us the combo unit saves space and with just 2 of us we usually do a load every other evening to keep up. We also usually hang dry our clothes either inside or outside depending on weather and CG rules. If the OP is traveling with 3 children, I would advise the stackable unit or even make room for a full size washer somehow.
One other note, combos are usually very heavy as most have a concrete counter weight to off set the high speed spin cycle.

Copy that. Stacked seems to be the way to go. Now just finding the right brand