Thread Number: 11913
The big question! |
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Post# 211471   5/21/2007 at 23:00 (6,183 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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As most of you know about my disaster with my LG combo. Now that it's out of my life I am using the laundry room in my development trying to access the one wascomet washer. I am still very much into the combos. The LG is the only one that makes the tremendous combo and of course I'm not going for that one again. I see different ones out their but so many people don't service these babies and a good many are so small thats it's not worth the trouble. I am still open to the possibility of buying a combo but I would want to get one that has a minimal washing capacity of 13 to 15 pounds. On line I looked at Ariston, Equator, Summit, Splendid and Malber. I have no idea of what the service availability of these units would be in the New York area. And of cource I learned service is so important especially from the useless LG warrenty I had. A few people told me that Malber does have a excellent service for my area. I looked at their combo and it is so small. But I looked at their brochure and found 2 FL units only washers. One has the same capacity as the combo and the other is a 15 pound unit. I could match it with a stacked dryer using 110V. I do not have venting in the closet, so I was thinking of purchasing a indoor dryer vent box. I wasen't to crazy about the idea but am giving it more consideration. I just dont want lint dust all over the closet and in my apartment. I have a surge protector in the closet and would hope I wouldn't have a problem running both units at one time. I would also loose a closet shelf and than would have a total of 68" in height so it would just fit. What I need to get is openions should I skip the combo and go with the 2 seperates? Is the indor vent box for the dryer a problem? Does anyone know the reliability of Malber and service? Also does anyone have any information about Ariston? I just don't want to make any more mistakes. Thank you, Peter |
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Post# 211478 , Reply# 1   5/21/2007 at 23:38 (6,183 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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Post# 211482 , Reply# 2   5/21/2007 at 23:43 (6,183 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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Notice the drain pipe on right that I was uncomfortable about but was assured that this is the way the setups are done in this development. The pipe goes through the wall to the back of the bathroom sink to drain. Surge protector mounted above water inlet valves. Where would be best place to put indoor vent box?
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Post# 211506 , Reply# 3   5/22/2007 at 03:54 (6,183 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)   |   | |
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The only solution is a condenser. They are becomming more common in the US again. The heat output overwhelms them in the first few minutes...and the lint and dust does drift. Been there, done that... This one outlet is not going to handle both running at the same time, the surge protector is irrelevant. If I were in your position, I would do the following: Buy stackables. Get a spinner like we use here in Europe. If you can spin the clothes dry at 2,800 rpm then even a 110v dryer can do an adequate job. It is such a bummer that LG service in the US sucks. Over here it is quite good. That is exactly the same mistake Whirlpool made when they broke into the German market. Service was taken over by independents who were paid a ridiculously small, fixed fee...and who could not get replacement parts quickly because the idiots running Whirlpool insisted they turn in the defective parts FIRST. Sigh. If the world ends, it will be because young-dynamic-managers, all waiving their MBAs, have taken over everything. Good luck! Oh, that plumbing solution would not be permitted here. Does it have built-in check valves? Not sayiing it is bad, just not "code" where I live. |
Post# 211507 , Reply# 4   5/22/2007 at 03:55 (6,183 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)   |   | |
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Post# 211509 , Reply# 5   5/22/2007 at 04:12 (6,183 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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I'd stay away from the Malber 15lb units unless major improvments have been made. Local dealer won't touch them after to many returns/horror stories. One problem was the units would not operate unless full. That is you could not wash less than 12-15 pounds of laundry. Malber does indeed have it's own service guy in NYC, do not know where you live and if that area is part of his manor. Had a Malber unit for ages (washer only) and it worked well for what it was. Mind you it was one of the units made by COPA in Swiss land,not one of the Merloni's of today. Still it gave good performance and many people in NYC swear by Malber. As for those indoor dryer buckets, been there/done that and am here to tell you no matter what you do, there will be fine dust everywhere. Not to mention all that heat and humidity. If I were you I'd scan Craigslist,eBay and other sources for a used older Equator model (they were very common in NYC), or look into the new Miele washer that runs on 120v. Your other option is to get a good front loader but go with either a vintage Whirlpool/Kenmore or GE portable dryer. You'd have to find a spot some where near a window (yes I know), but with a high speed final spin, the 1450 watts of heating the older portables offer can dry a decent sized load in under an hour. Less if one spilts the loads and or lets items air dry before using the dryer. Don't know when it happend, but modern portable dryers all seem to be at 1200 watts, or at best 1300 watts or so. Nice thing about the older portable dryers is one can simply throw a tablecloth over them and they are "hidden" and can function as a table or sorts. |
Post# 211510 , Reply# 6   5/22/2007 at 04:12 (6,183 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)   |   | |
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Hi Pete Sorry to hear you`r having to resort to drastic measures, I would say a vent box dryer would be even more trouble, more dribbles of water than you have now...and so not efficient, reduces the airflow and allows lint clogging etc..It does seem like you have the space for a stacked set, and a condensor dryer would be a perfect solution... Pete, one more thing to consider, (hold on to your hats ) if other users of this model are having no probs with them, could it be that this rubber boot and door are the trouble, might it just be a manufacturing issue with these parts, would a new complete door and rubber gasket solve the problem, and be cheaper than forking out for two newies... I realise the pain you have had with the service and this machine, and can well understand why you want a new start etc, just an option to explore etc.. Mike |
Post# 211519 , Reply# 7   5/22/2007 at 07:15 (6,183 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)   |   | |
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It ain't just those things - a whole series of LGs sold in the US in the last years had problems and the support of LG in the US is rotten, inept beyond belief. I suspect their service agents work for the marketing department of their competitors. Here in Europe, LG is marketed as upscale or really good mid-quality. In the US it first came in as cheap stuff and was marketed accordingly. I would definitely by LG here in Europe again. I would not wish LG even on a Christianist in the US. |
Post# 211559 , Reply# 8   5/22/2007 at 11:02 (6,183 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)   |   | |
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Peter, There is no way you can get 220V installed? That would open the possibility of having a European condenser dryer. I would stay away from those dryer vent boxes, they simply don't work. I know by experience! Ariston is a very BOL machine in Europe. The quality of the Ariston machines is not very good. Besides that, I wonder if there is service available. If you can't get 220V I would consider a Frigemore frontloader and a 110V dryer. Isn't there a possibility to hang a small dryer on the wall in the bathroom? Like this GE Spacemaker? Louis |
Post# 211650 , Reply# 10   5/22/2007 at 17:19 (6,182 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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Well I am so disappointed - I went to the Malber warehouse in Garden City Long Island. This new P28 Malber is nothing like the P25 or even the P21 - it is totatly different and yes it is bigger but is the same machine as the small Whirlpool FL. And the same washer as the Eurotech combo as well as the Asko combo. The guy said they are good machines and any defects have been ironed out. To me it would make no sense to buy this washer and stack a dryer. I might as well buy another brand thats a combo like this. Or buy the Whirlpool FL and see if their dryer is 110V which I don't think it is. In fact I think Malber will make this their next combo even though the guy didn't say that. No exploder I dont do dry cleaning but I do hang a lot of clothes up to dry but not everything. And Louis Ariston left me a message and I called them back and playing telephone tag. I haven't seen them but they do look nice in pictures. I will be careful but probably won't touch it. I can't believe with all the technology their are fewer options. I just wish something would meet my needs. I still like the combo theory. Peter |
Post# 211738 , Reply# 12   5/22/2007 at 22:40 (6,182 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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Post# 211744 , Reply# 13   5/22/2007 at 23:00 (6,182 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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All the combination washers sold in the United States, that run on 120v at the moment are all Merloni made. This means Asko, Malber, Eurotech and several other brand names come from the same people that bring you some of the most horrible BOL laundry appliances in Europe. Whirlpool's small front load washer and dryer used to come from the same source, but now believe they've switched production to Mexico. However there are still quite a few of the previous units out there, and they are proving very hard to unload. There was a set in our local PC Richards that hadn't shifted in months, despite being marked "clearance". L. |
Post# 211785 , Reply# 15   5/23/2007 at 06:41 (6,182 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)   |   | |
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Post# 211840 , Reply# 16   5/23/2007 at 10:51 (6,182 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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Remember I was looking at the posibility of Ariston - well I called them and to make a long story short they refered me to 2 different appliance stores in Rockland County one Silver City and the other Applioance City. And guess what both stores never heard of Ariston. So guess what I am probably will nix that brand, another example of the left foot not knowing what the right foot is doing. And also one guy said he used to carry LG, but because of the service they dropped them. Peter |
Post# 212090 , Reply# 18   5/24/2007 at 22:46 (6,180 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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Yes I would love to have a 24" stacked setup. But everything is 110volt in my apartment and no gas line in the closet. I don't even have a vent but would be willing to use a vent box. I don't understand why all these foreign machines that have condensor dryers don't make them in 110V. I am not going to give up and am not going to just buy anything until I find a solution I would be happy with. I think with that Maytag stack set the dryer only is made in 220 volt. Thanks Peter |
Post# 212091 , Reply# 19   5/24/2007 at 22:47 (6,180 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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Yes I would love to have a 24" stacked setup. But everything is 110volt in my apartment and no gas line in the closet. I don't even have a vent but would be willing to use a vent box. I don't understand why all these foreign machines that have condensor dryers don't make them in 110V. I am not going to give up and am not going to just buy anything until I find a solution I would be happy with. I think with that Maytag stack set the dryer only is made in 220 volt. Thanks Peter |
Post# 212093 , Reply# 20   5/24/2007 at 22:48 (6,180 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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Yes I would love to have a 24" stacked setup. But everything is 110volt in my apartment and no gas line in the closet. I don't even have a vent but would be willing to use a vent box. I don't understand why all these foreign machines that have condensor dryers don't make them in 110V. I am not going to give up and am not going to just buy anything until I find a solution I would be happy with. I think with that Maytag stack set the dryer only is made in 220 volt. Thanks Peter |
Post# 212096 , Reply# 21   5/24/2007 at 22:54 (6,180 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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If I do a stack I also only have 68" height which is perfect for European setups. But for one reason or another one will work or it's the voltage or some other BS. Like I said I was interested in that larger Malber until I seen the new unit that just came out. I like the Ariston from the pictures but nobody in this area sells them let alone the matter of service, and also some from Europe have advised me against it. Yes Sears does make a 110V dryer but no front load washer to put under it. So I will keep searching. I wish Miele made their smaller units in 110V and that new big model in a combo. But thats life. Peter |
Post# 212123 , Reply# 22   5/25/2007 at 05:21 (6,180 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)   |   | |
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Pete, Condenser dryers on 110V would take a very long time to dry. Condenser dryers need longer to dry than vented dryers in the first place, but there is also an extra strong blower that needs power too. That blower is there to cool down the condenser with air from the room. That would leave to little power for a decent heating element. I guess it could be done with a heatpump like AEG is building into one model, but that's expensive technology. Way too expensive to build in small quantities I guess, I don't think there would be much interest in such a dryer. BTW, have you considered my suggestion to put a small 110V dryer in the bathroom? I don't remeber exactly what your bathroom looks like, but would there be space on the wall for a dryer I posted a picture of? And does the window open so you can hang a dryer hose out of it? Louis |
Post# 212129 , Reply# 23   5/25/2007 at 06:32 (6,180 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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Don't quote me on this, but seem to remember reading some where that Miele is going to launch a line of 5k washing machines that run on 110v power. Now that Miele builds the 4000 series of washing machines that run on 110v, there isn't much difficulty in building smaller units to run on the same power. Think I saw the blurb over on THS. You might wish to conact Miele USA directly and see what you can find out. In the meantime keep your eyes peeled for older Miele 1918 washers, as some can run on 120V, just as my W1070 does. L. |
Post# 212157 , Reply# 24   5/25/2007 at 08:29 (6,180 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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Louis, Their is no way to hang any dryer on the wall in my bathroon. And I cannot vent out that window. Their is just not any room anyway in that area. Laundress. I do like that 4000 Miele but it is really a ton of money. It would be awsome if they made it also in a combo. Thats why I thought 2 smaller units that were stackable would work if I stay within the height limit of 68". Yes I should contact Miele about seeing if their smaller units will be built in 110V. But I doubt if they will build a dryer that way. Again I will probably wait for awhile before I make any decisions. Thanks Peter |
Post# 212163 , Reply# 25   5/25/2007 at 08:56 (6,180 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)   |   | |
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Hey Peter!, Have you heard of or considered an Equator combo???They are condensing and have a 14-7 lb.capacity. They are reasonably priced.I am very good friends with the owner,Atul,and am sure I could get a great price on one.They have a portability kit(wheels and a faucet adaptor to hook up to a sink)and a strong warrenty that you may extend if you want to. |
Post# 212171 , Reply# 26   5/25/2007 at 09:20 (6,180 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)   |   | |
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Post# 212173 , Reply# 27   5/25/2007 at 09:26 (6,180 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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I did see those new Equators online. The thing I don't like about them is that they are the same as the Quietline machines where you cannot set the water temperature it goes by whichever fabric you pick. But I don't like most is to my understanding the washing times are extremely long. I realize that the drying cycles would be long but I don't want to deal with long washing times you can't control. The capacity on this machine is something like what I am looking for on a compact unit. Also I am wondering how reliable the unit will be being it's new and the biggest thing is who and how much service is available in New York. Thanks, Peter |
Post# 212220 , Reply# 29   5/25/2007 at 14:16 (6,180 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)   |   | |
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I love Italian design; nobody does it better. But if the LG nightmare was anything to go by, you want a machine to work and work and...well, just sit there and work. Italian machines are beautiful. They have features and curves and everything...even the sound...is perfect. But they do not stay in one piece for very long. Every European maker has had to fight for a niche in order to survive. Miele does it by not compromising on the quality; it costs but at least it works. Merloni did it with brilliant engineering, great design...and, sadly, less than stellar reliability. You pay a premium for these machines in the US and they are, sadly, just so not worth it. When I mentioned "H-Axis" a bit back there, I think I was not clear. I mean the narrow top-loaders which work the same way as front loaders - drum with baffles, not agitator. They come as both washers and dryers. I will attempt to attach a link below. These machines are built in Italy by the way, but to a much higher standard... CLICK HERE TO GO TO panthera's LINK |
Post# 212246 , Reply# 30   5/25/2007 at 18:00 (6,179 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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I Scott the machine I saw at the Melber center was just like the Whirlpool small front loader. And that machine has had bad reviews. That was their new P28 model from Malber. Kevin I really didn't want a top opening machine, that takes up to much space. I will just wait and see what happens before I make any decisions. Peter |
Post# 212312 , Reply# 32   5/26/2007 at 04:20 (6,179 days old) by vivalalavatrice ()   |   | |
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...I think looking form the pic is an electrolux one...it might be a Rex an AEG or a Zoppas... |
Post# 212314 , Reply# 34   5/26/2007 at 04:46 (6,179 days old) by vivalalavatrice ()   |   | |
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if you got a machine like that it would be free more place near to fit a dryer... |
Post# 212331 , Reply# 36   5/26/2007 at 07:06 (6,179 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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Does anyone know about this brand from Europe? It at least has a decent capacity. Thanks, Peter CLICK HERE TO GO TO peteski50's LINK |
Post# 212383 , Reply# 39   5/26/2007 at 12:21 (6,179 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)   |   | |
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Is Merloni, albeit a much better quality than most of their stuff. Pete, I guess I am just too d-u-m, dumb to express myself here. An H-Axis toploader holds just as much as a front loader, the only difference is that it would give you the space next to it to install a dryer. Your question why European dryers don't come in 110V is good and Louis pretty much answered it. Very many US machines (and a few European) can be hooked up to run on 110v instead of 220V. One of my neighbors has used a combo for over 30 years. She only dries half a load at a time and uses a spinner to cut the time for that way down. Keep looking, at least you are getting all sorts of advice. Oh - and idea! GE has a hotline you can call, describe your problems and they will try to find solutions for you. So let's be creative here: Could you maybe replace the dishwasher (I assume you have one) with a GE space saver that goes directly under the sink or cooktop and then put a drier (or, more logically) washer there? Give them a call. I know GE has a bad reputation in the club for their current quality, but gosh...after LG, you probably would be impressed by anything which runs six months without a breakdown. |
Post# 212386 , Reply# 41   5/26/2007 at 12:37 (6,179 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)   |   | |
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Actually, we don't have nearly the concentration the US has. Since Europe is always a good ten years behind the US in the young-dynamic-manager-fad-of-the-week, sometimes we learn from your mistakes. Sometimes. The lower-end is pretty much all Italian. The top-end is pretty much all Italian (folks who want design over all else.) Everything else is more or less B/S/H or Electrolux. (I know, I know, but nobody wants to read 400 lines on who owns what.) Blomberg is German; I think they buy in their technology from Electrolux and B/S/H but could be wrong there. Sort of like "EBD", but better quality. I might be wrong. Ralf? Louis? Matura is a Quelle brand like "Kenmore". Some were AEGs, some are custom built in Italy, some had/have some pretty incredible technology. The big advantage of them is parts and service availability. When the logic went out on my 27 year old Matura Dryer, the repair guy just shook his head, muttered "they don't build 'em like they used to" and popped in a new relais. The top loading H-Axis are wonderful, I think STABER is the only US manufacturer to build them (and they use Whirlpool technology for everything except the drum and sheet metal). You get the same big capacity with all the advantages of a US TL, much narrower cabinet and all the advantages of the FLs. They also (obviously) do not suffer from the boot problems so many FLs have. |
Post# 212388 , Reply# 42   5/26/2007 at 12:59 (6,179 days old) by vivalalavatrice ()   |   | |
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Try to find the corresponding Electrolux appliances in US...guess what! The site reload you to Frigidaire!!! |
Post# 212391 , Reply# 43   5/26/2007 at 13:15 (6,179 days old) by mrx ()   |   | |
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Make sure you get a machine with a very high spin speed. That way you'll avoid a lot of time in the dryer if you have to comprimise on it. A 1600rpm spin will actually allow you to air dry clothes on racks very effectively. |
Post# 212392 , Reply# 44   5/26/2007 at 13:16 (6,179 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)   |   | |
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Belongs to Electrolux. At some point in the 1980's, American firms realised that they weren't going to make real money in capital goods or value addition, so they switched to making money in the financial markets. M/A's and leveraged buyouts, etc. followed. With very few exceptions - and I credit Whirlpool for this - nobody in the US-domestic market gives 2cents for either the consumer or the shareholder. It is only about making the managers as wealthy as possible. At least Electrolux improved Frigidaire's quality. Not that that would be hard... If we - and by that I mean the US and Europe don't very soon re-orient towards making profit through value addition, the Chinese and Indians are going to wipe us off the map. Off me soap box and back to Pete: Silly question, but why can't you hang or support a dryer in your bathroom? Or elsewhere, mayhap. They aren't that heavy. |
Post# 212480 , Reply# 45   5/27/2007 at 02:19 (6,178 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)   |   | |
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Besides the Indesit company there is also Merloni (there are two Merloni brothers in the whitegoods business). Merloni makes Ardo, Nordland, Servis, EBD, Edy, Upo etc. etc. etc. They bought up small manufacturers in many European countries and used these names to sell their own product on those national markets. These Merloni products are low quality. I'm not sure about Blomberg, IIRC that company was sold to a Turkish company, they are no longer the quality products that they used to be. In a thread on the Imperial Forum about European washers, a lot was told about the Matura brand. It doesn't exist any longer as an independent brand, but the name is indeed still used by a German mail order firm. |