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Post by Polarengineer on Nov 19, 2021 16:35:49 GMT 1
To save space in the scullery, I am investigating washing machines that also act as tumble dryers. Has anyone experience with these combined units? What happens with the fluff from the drying mode? many thanks in advance.
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JohnnyD
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Mayenne (53) When Covid allows..........Which isn't very often these days........
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Post by JohnnyD on Nov 19, 2021 16:49:02 GMT 1
We have an Electrolux in France and it works well as a washer/drier, in the UK we have a very old Miele washer dryer, and it has a programme called 'rinse out fluff' which basically rinses away any fluff from the drying process, not sure if the Electrolux has the same, but i would have thought so
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Post by woolybanana on Nov 19, 2021 17:13:05 GMT 1
Whatever happens fluff must be removed very frequently as it can catch fire.
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Post by gigi on Nov 19, 2021 17:48:06 GMT 1
We have a Bosch combined washer/dryer which is good and was bought to save space in our small apartment, the same reason as Polarengineer.
Unlike the Bosch dryer we have in the UK there isn’t a filter to empty, so I run my fingers around the rubber door seal after most washes to collect the fluff - it’s amazing how much there is, particularly after washing and part-drying towels. I never use either dryer when going out in case of fire.
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ibis
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Post by ibis on Nov 19, 2021 18:02:35 GMT 1
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ibis
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Post by ibis on Nov 19, 2021 18:22:26 GMT 1
They also seem to go against your "save the world" speeches..
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Post by gigi on Nov 19, 2021 18:45:13 GMT 1
You could also look into what Which? says about them.
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Aardvark
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Living in soggy 22 and still wondering what's going on.
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Post by Aardvark on Nov 19, 2021 20:11:10 GMT 1
Take a look at the energy ratings of the huge "American style" fridges next time you're out shopping. The best I found was energy D. Most were E or F. So if everyone buys a washer dryer, a big double door fridge freezer, and the biggest flatscreen TV in the shop like the people across the road from us all it will take is an electric car recharging to black out the local mains in our area.
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exile
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Massif Central
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Post by exile on Nov 19, 2021 20:18:36 GMT 1
I have always thought (prejudicially) that any machine that tries to be two things at once probably does neither as efficiently as it could. I do however accept the lack of space issue.
From the comments made however I will make one observation. What does happen to all those fibres that a conventional drier collects?
I guess down the drain, into the rivers and out to sea - so contributing to the worlds micro plastic problem given that most of us use nylon, acrylic, elastothene and similar synthetic fibres in our clothes and other fabrics.
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Post by pcpa on Nov 19, 2021 20:50:19 GMT 1
I had one of the very first ones in the early 80's, not suprisingly it was a chocolate teapot, the washer was OK but it was supposed to dry the same weight load but it would simply burn & scorch everything,it could cope with one handkerchief or a small teatowel maximum and no more. I now have seperate American Maytag commercial washer and driers, they both have huge drums but surprisingly considering the size their capacity in kgs is less than most domestic machines, however because the clothes are free to move around the cycle times are very short 30 minutes to 40 minutes max for all the wash cycles and the drier on auto-dry is eually as quick for the same size load, I run them sequentially and never have to wait for the dryer, when guests load the drier cramming as many jeans and sweatshirts in as they can it can run for hours whereas doing 2 seperate loads would take 1/4 of the time. It does have a 6kw heating element though, thankfully a very low duty cycle. It sounds like the combined machines are a lot better than they used to be so I would now consider one but only for domestic laundry.
Do they make them with heat recovery via a heat pump?
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ibis
Banned Member
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Post by ibis on Nov 19, 2021 20:53:13 GMT 1
I had one of the very first ones in the early 80's, not suprisingly it was a chocolate teapot, the washer was OK but it was supposed to dry the same weight load but it would simply burn & scorch everything,it could cope with one handkerchief or a small teatowel maximum and no more. I now have seperate American Maytag commercial washer and driers, they both have huge drums but surprisingly considering the size their capacity in kgs is less than most domestic machines, however because the clothes are free to move around the cycle times are very short 30 minutes to 40 minutes max for all the wash cycles and the drier on auto-dry is eually as quick for the same size load, I run them sequentially and never have to wait for the dryer, when guests load the drier cramming as many jeans and sweatshirts in as they can it can run for hours whereas doing 2 seperate loads would take 1/4 of the time. It does have a 6kw heating element though, thankfully a very low duty cycle. It sounds like the combined machines are a lot better than they used to be so I would now consider one but only for domestic laundry. Again, someone who guesses they are better but does not read the professionals reviews and comments on them. |
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Post by pcpa on Nov 19, 2021 21:08:02 GMT 1
Sorry not biting, you will have to find someone else to play with.
They could be appalling and only worthy of 1 mark out of 10 and still be better than the one I had.
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Post by Polarengineer on Nov 20, 2021 7:32:33 GMT 1
Thanks everyone, your input confirms my concerns.
I rarely take any notice of online reviews and star ratings as I consider them backed by the manufacturers and thus biased, or blatently false, I also almost never give star ratings on anything I purchase, good or otherwise.
As an engineer, I agree that in most cases, one machine doing two jobs is a design problem, however, being out of the industry for a few years now, I'm hopeful our upcoming designers can have amazing ideas.
Environmentally, yes, a disaster. My concern over the microfiber removal has been confirmed. Our current dryer (rarely used as our victorian hang rack in the kitchen does the best job) builds a veritable felt blanket on the filter with just one load, this gets put in the dustbin and I have concerns as to what happens to it then. I'm racking my brains to think of a safe use for it. The idea of a fluff flush cycle fills me with dread of blocked drains, let alone the clog up of the fosse and reed bed.
It is fairly clear that I will need two machines. It is for a gite and joe public will probably only use it for small loads during a week stay, keeping things simple is a safe move. In the meantime, I shall collect the fluff until an idea pops up for its use.
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Post by gigi on Nov 20, 2021 8:44:29 GMT 1
Fluff from ours usually goes into one of the compost bins, although in spring I put it out for birds to use in their nests.
Most of our clothes are made of natural fabrics, although I do admit to some sheets being a polycotton mixture and a few of our clothes are a mixture too. I rather like clothes made from bamboo and the use of it in household items, don’t know how long-lasting bamboo used around the house is though.
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Aardvark
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Living in soggy 22 and still wondering what's going on.
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Post by Aardvark on Nov 20, 2021 10:58:01 GMT 1
I had a bamboo leaf rake that was handed down to me from my grandfather. He had used it for many years and I used it for nearly ten years. Only got rid when I moved onto the boat. Bamboo is a pretty good material for durability and sustainablility. Don't get me started on hemp.  |
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