Thread Number: 68646  /  Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
New Whirlpool "Smart" COMBO at CES
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Post# 914192   1/5/2017 at 19:15 (2,638 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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Ventless 2.3 cu ft capacity.

Video (no sound):






Article:

www.digitaltrends.com/home/whirlp...


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Post# 914201 , Reply# 1   1/5/2017 at 20:06 (2,638 days old) by appnut (TX)        

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You beat me by about 45 minutes.  Is said to be 240v. Robert, your YouTube video link isn't accurate.  Reviewed.com article says the combo will list for $1499. 

 

 



CLICK HERE TO GO TO appnut's LINK

Post# 914203 , Reply# 2   1/5/2017 at 20:17 (2,638 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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What's wrong with Whirlpool USA's YouTube link?


Post# 914205 , Reply# 3   1/5/2017 at 20:20 (2,638 days old) by appnut (TX)        

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It doesn't take me to a video about this product.  It takes me to a page with a hodge-podge of stuff I don't wanna see.


Post# 914208 , Reply# 4   1/5/2017 at 20:27 (2,638 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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Fixed, thanks. It worked on my iPad but now I have substituted a link that should work with all devices.


Post# 914210 , Reply# 5   1/5/2017 at 20:44 (2,638 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        

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Hmmmm...

What's old is new again...


Post# 914228 , Reply# 6   1/5/2017 at 22:08 (2,638 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Whirlpools New Combo

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Well at least it looks like it is a 240 volt, if this is true this will be about the first 240 volt combo sold in the US since GE discontinued their combo in the spring of 1972.

 

The 2.3 CF listed capacity is so small that the machine will be almost useless as a dryer and probably makes this the smallest combo ever sold anywhere in the world.

 

I guess we will wait and see.

 

John L.


Post# 914249 , Reply# 7   1/6/2017 at 05:29 (2,638 days old) by Paulc (Edinburgh, Scotland)        
Combo52

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it's pretty much a European combo on a pedestal although we do have combos with smaller capacities. The Splendie compact combos you get in the US are pretty much the size of a lot of European two in one machines.

Post# 914258 , Reply# 8   1/6/2017 at 08:10 (2,637 days old) by Iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)        

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I have seen these on HGTV.  They are popular choices for "Tiny Homes". 


Post# 914274 , Reply# 9   1/6/2017 at 09:48 (2,637 days old) by logixx (Germany)        

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Same thing, different brand.

www.lg.com/us/washers/lg-LUWM101H...


Post# 914390 , Reply# 10   1/7/2017 at 02:08 (2,637 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US)        

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I'm guessing it just plugs into the existing 240V outlet one would normally use for their traditional dryer? It's an interesting move at least. I can see this being a nice setup for someone like my friend Lisa who is single and fairly minimal as far as belongings, by choice, and she's also around 5'3" and skinny as rail, so even at 2.3 cu.ft she'd probably need only wash and dry one load every 4-5 days. Perhaps with the current trend of young adults staying single willingly, or choosing to forego having children, a combo washer/dryer may make a resurgence in popularity where it didn't quite succeed in the past.

For me personally though, I feel it would be completely impractical, being married and having family stay with us frequently. Where combos typically have smaller capacity, running one load will require waiting for the wash AND dry, where having two full size machines means washing larger loads, while also having another larger load in the dryer at the same time.

John - I did find that LG also currently offers a 2.3 cu.ft 24" wide model. It only operates on 120V however. I'm actually not surprised that they build such a model; LG seems to have the niche market in unusual laundry machines.

www.homedepot.com/p/LG-Electronic...


Post# 914394 , Reply# 11   1/7/2017 at 05:29 (2,637 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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Brandt in France has H-axis toploaders that are washer/dryer combos. They have a 51 liters drum which converts to 1.8 cu ft.



Post# 914401 , Reply# 12   1/7/2017 at 07:39 (2,636 days old) by logixx (Germany)        

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That LG is rated at 26 pounds capacity in Europe, although 17 lbs. is more realistic when one uses the 1:10 ratio.

Post# 914411 , Reply# 13   1/7/2017 at 08:32 (2,636 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
This isnt

France, so the fugly thing isn't available here for testing.

Post# 914412 , Reply# 14   1/7/2017 at 08:37 (2,636 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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I was just responding to John L.'s statement that Whirlpool's new combo makes it probably the smallest combo ever sold anywhere in the world.



Post# 914418 , Reply# 15   1/7/2017 at 09:56 (2,636 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        

First of all, this reminds me a lot of the LG Signature washer (which is avaible in some countries as a washer dryer version as well AFAIK).

Second of all, at a 1:15 to 1:20 ration (which drying should have), you could wash and dry 10 T-Shirts and some underwaer/socks, about 3, maybe 4 jeans/sweaters. 10 smaller bath towels, or 3-4 big ones. A big set of bedding. Maybe even a blanket that is not to big.
About 10 pounds max drying that is I thought of.

For a single, or a couple, this could atually work out.


Post# 914553 , Reply# 16   1/8/2017 at 06:28 (2,635 days old) by neptunebob (Pittsburgh, PA)        

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Are you sure maybe the 2.3 does not refer to the recommended load capacity for a wash and dry load (without having to divide the dry load)? A duet is bigger than that, and this looks to be the size of a Duet.

Post# 914572 , Reply# 17   1/8/2017 at 09:28 (2,635 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Whirlpools New Tiny Combo

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Hi Robert that is what I was hoping as well that the 2.3 CF wash some sort of equivalent washer capacity. But in any event while it apparently is not the smallest capacity combo ever it is still nearly useless if you can't dry a set of King-Sized sheets and four pillow case covers or at least three pairs of men jeans without getting out an iron.

 

I would consider a minimum dryer size to be around 3.5 CF and 4 or 5 CF really getting into the useful range for a compact combo.

 

Serious combos will make a comeback there is a real need for the space-saving and convenience these machines offer, and best of all it will solve the moldy washer problem for people who do not know how to use a FL washer.


Post# 914576 , Reply# 18   1/8/2017 at 09:38 (2,635 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        

This is a 24 inch combo on a pedestal, so smaller then a duet.

It has a 2.3 cuft drum. That is 65 liters.

In the EU, the rule of thumb is 1:10 for washing (1kg of laundry needs 10 liter of drum volume) and 1:20 for drying (1kg of laundry needs 20 liters of drum volume to dry quickly and without major creasing). These sizes allow for propper and quick tumbling and thus cleaning/drying, though one has to say that usually the ratios can be a little lower, especially if we handle loads like towels which aren't at a risk of creasing.

That would mean 6,5kg of laundry for washing and about 3,5kg for drying according to this rule. In pounds, that would be about 13 pounds for washing and 7 for drying.


Now, last time I checked my size M T-Shirts were about 200-300g a piece, so 2 would be about a pound. That would mean I could wash and dry 14 T-Shirts in one load. Or 10 T-Shirts and about 7 sets of underwear (underpants and socks).

A usual pair of jeans is somewhere in the realm of 1-2 pounds. Same for sweaters, maybe a little less for sweat pants and such. So I could wash and dry 3 pairs of these, maybe even 4, with little creasing.

Towels weigh about 500-800g per square meter. So, a normal hand towel (ours here are about 50*100cm, half a square meter, or 20*40 inch) would weigh about 400g, or lets say a pound. Our big bath towels are 80*40 inch, so 4 times that, about 3 pounds. My bathrobe is 4 pounds. So I could wash my weeks worth of towels as a single (2 hand towels, bathrobe, big towel, 2 dish towels) and dry them in one go.


As couple, you could say you have 4 T-Shirts a day, 4 sets of underwear, and some other mixed items. So a load every 2 days would cover that.
Every other day you change jeans, sweaters, hoodies, such.
And towels twice a weak.
And that is given you do one load a day. That thing is 240V, it should to a load in less then 3, closer to 2 hours. So 2 loads a day are verry well thinkable. So you could even be less conservative about the clothing estimate of a young urban couple.

Sure, more then 2 people and it gets tight, but it sure is a concept that works fine.



The only issue I see is having a 240V connection in place. However, in newly constructed or remodeled situations, that could be managed as well, given that any flat needs either gas or 240V for a range in the kitchen.


So, it sure is not a combo for every one, but it's a good combo never the less.


Post# 914611 , Reply# 19   1/8/2017 at 11:53 (2,635 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Whirlpools New Tiny Combo

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I did not say you could not wash & dry 7 pounds, I said that the result would be completely unsatisfactory for 90% of American users, I usually only dry 4-5 pairs of jeans in my WP 7.2 CF gas dryer that is more than three times as large as this tiny combo in order for them to come out in great wrinkle free condition.


Post# 914645 , Reply# 20   1/8/2017 at 14:01 (2,635 days old) by Gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

IMO John is right. I am spoiled by my large US dryers. Plenty of room for clothes to move around = less wrinkles.

Unless or until someone comes up with a new and improved '58 Bendix Combo, I wouldn't be interested in the slightest.


Post# 914710 , Reply# 21   1/8/2017 at 22:09 (2,635 days old) by Joe_in_philly (Philadelphia, PA, USA)        
This video says it will connect with Alexa

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Post# 914713 , Reply# 22   1/8/2017 at 23:37 (2,635 days old) by warmsecondrinse (Fort Lee, NJ)        

I agree with Henene. The 240v requirement is a bit problematic. If that's available, why would one not buy a separate washer and ventless dryer? In the event there's only space for one machine, it's make more sense to buy a ventless dryer and an Avanti one could keep in a closet.

In my experience in the northeastern 1/4 of the US, the majority of apartments that have no venting possibilities and lack space for 2 machines ALSO do not have 240v access. Most of the time there's only 120v available and the unit must either fit into a dishwasher sized space OR there's a slot with hookups for a full-sized washer and no practical way to install a second machine of any type. LG seems to have it covered with its 2.3 and 4.3 cu. ft. models.

I think there's actually more of a need for a separate 120v ventless dryer.

Jim


Post# 914733 , Reply# 23   1/9/2017 at 05:50 (2,635 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

At least in the District of Columbia, only 120 volt dryers are allowed in unvented installations so a 240 volt dryer would not be allowed without a vent unless it was a condensing dryer and you really do not want to be suing one of those during the summer.

Post# 914742 , Reply# 24   1/9/2017 at 08:16 (2,634 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Dryers...

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If you have the space and energy costs are low then the grande washers and dryers that you are used to are fine...if not and you have access to 240v period then these current washer dryers may provide an alternative to your laundry requirements.

I`m currently in a studio apartment and using a Servis vestel combi, 61 ltr drum rated 9kg wash 6kg dry , 1400rpm spin. The nine min max spin leaves clothing damp dry, I cant get any more moisture out even with a frigidaire spinner @ 2,800rpm. I can wash & dry 14 white cotton t-shirts in fast time, sensor dry will take over hour but I find its great for me to use 30 mins times dry, high heat and they are dry enough to pull out hang on a rack and pulled to shape if required.

It also depends on clothing used, I use mostly modern lightweight fabrics which I can hang up straight from the wash & spin process. Towels and cotton fabrics can be dried easily in the combi dryer its whatever works for you. Also with the latest electronics its all about the programming which can be detrimental if not programmed for the country of sale and purchase.

Many people have used these style of laundry appliances for years, have sold loads to families who have drying facilities of outdoor line, drying racks and radiators and use the dryer for emergencies and finishing off clothing before hanging or quick press. I do find many here so easily dismissive of said machines that its insulting to many of us, I do understand you may be used to appliances that work for you, dont dismiss the value they may bring to many!!


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Post# 1001026 , Reply# 25   7/22/2018 at 12:33 (2,075 days old) by verizonbear (Glen Burnie )        
In stores yet ???

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No update on the whirlpool website? Are they still releasing this to the US?

Post# 1001035 , Reply# 26   7/22/2018 at 13:45 (2,075 days old) by appnut (TX)        

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Phil, somewhere in the recent pockets of my mind, I vaguely remember coming across something that referenced to these sometime 3rd quarter, probably late 3rd quarter. 



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