Letters from the Equator

Boon’s view from here

Moving house part 2 - the washer-dryer combo

washer01.gifI’ve been avoiding the thought of getting a washer-dryer combo simply because I’ve always believed that appliances are generally more reliable doing more specific tasks rather than combined ones.

So, I thought that it would always come down to a few names like Electrolux or some Jap brand (certainly not Korean) and that a budget of about RM5k would take care of both a good washer and a decent dryer.

What I actually needed was a swift kick in the head.

I didn’t actually do much research on washers and dryers, and who knows, I may never get to the bottom of this. The fact of the matter is, quality has been improving, and digital technology has aided some of that. And at RM3300, the LG 10kg Direct Drive washer-dryer unit really looks like a steal.

Here’s what some guys have to say:

A combination washer dryer is one appliance that both washes and dries clothes. These units have only one chamber for clothes; they are not stackable washer/dryers. Washer dryer combos have been popular in Europe and the Far East for many years; due to the small apartments and living spaces common in these areas, compact laundry appliances were developed to conveniently fit the smaller spaces.

Combo washer dryers are either vented or non-vented models. While vented combos expel air through a vent, non-vented combos have a two-drum system. The hot air is forced into the outer drum where a condensation process is used to cool the air and condense the water vapor out of it. The water is then flushed out the drain hose to the sink or plumbing lines. Because no venting is required of the non-vented combo, this unit may be easily installed under a cabinet, in a closet, or anywhere water and electricity are available.

Combo washer dryers have countless uses and are more energy and water efficient than other laundry methods, cutting costs on water and energy bills in the long run.

So I believe the one I’m looking at is a non-vented unit (more convenient), and loads up to 10kg for washing and 5kg for drying (i.e. a lot). Here are some reviews of this particular type of unit from LG: clicky.

The real test will be when I live with it. And my wife. And yes, LG is Korean.


Categorized as discoveries/i want, thoughts/malaysia

20 Comments

  1. You know it only dries to about 90-95% right? Still need to air dry by hanging.

  2. That’s not what the reviews said, and not what the salesman said, but only time will tell. It used to be the case for older washer dryer combos, but not anymore, apparently.

  3. Have you bought? If you have not, I would recommend the Electrolux washer and dryer separate. I am using both and have no complaints whatsoever. Totally satisfied customer. (I am not related to the company in anyway).

    The washer and dryer are both made in Italy. So far, the clothes have been properly cleaned, towels do not lose it’s fluffiness and the dryer does a good job of ensuring that the clothes are dry and smell good.

    As for electricity consumption, no complaints. I’m surprised by its economicness as well.

    Email me if you want more info. I would be pleased to share.

  4. I thought so too… but the LG is so much cheaper, and it’s not that much worse. :|

    Plus, I’m broke.

  5. when we moved into our apartment, we took up maybank credit card and tried to spread out payments using interest free instalment wherever possible. The dryer was a later addition but the washer was urgent.

  6. boon: what do you mean it’s so much cheaper?

    Electrolux washer + dryer is about RM3,500 *inclusive* of extended warranty from Senheng (total 4 years). Bear in mind this is 6kg for the washer, and 5kg for the dryer.

    The cheapest LG TROMM is RM3,400 *without* extended warranty and after the recent discount (original was RM3,700). The washer is 8kg, while dryer is only 4kg. Essentially, you can only do a half load if you don’t want to overexert the condenser pump.

  7. mm… the quote I got was RM3300 for 10kg LG Tromm washer+dryer combo. 10 years warranty on the motor, 1 year otherwise. That’s 10kg for the washer, 5kg for the dryer. So, that should suffice for 2 people for awhile. Not sure about extended warranty.

  8. RM3300? That’s a *very* good deal for the 10.4kg. You probably don’t need the extended warranty, since the direct drive motor is quite dependable.

    When the 10.4kg first came out, it was retailing for close to RM4000, then they had the trade-in promotion.

    Well, do let us know if the salesman was bulldropping about the 95% dryness!

  9. Hmm..$3300 for the LG 10.5 Wash, 6 dry. I was looking for LG Tromm with the same spec too. Did you get it already? How is it so far? I saw the same model selling about $2800 last Feb. Definitely the cheapest price you can find. Still itching to get it…until i know how good it is from a real consumer. Any feedback on your machine?

    * btw, i just moved too. Like yourself, getting stuck on fed highway daily from Subang direction to KL.

  10. I got it already. been using it for about 1 month. so far, what the reviews say are true… if you overload it and leave it there for a long time, there’s a tendency to wrinkle.

    I don’t bother about that so much because I have a steam iron, or I just don’t overload it.

    There are a lot of features and I don’t think we’re using it to the fullest extent. Could just be we’re lazy.

  11. uh ooo…just now at lionmas the salesperson quote me $2700 for 11kg washer+5kg dryer.. It was electrolux that i was looking for but the price for that WD-R1112 is a steal……spoilt for choices!!!!Didn’t buy yet.. waiting 4 feedback from anyone been using LG washer-dryer…..

  12. oops,sorry!it’s actually 11kg wash,7kg dry:
    FEATURES :

    *Max. Wash Capacity : 11kg
    *Max. Dry Capacity : 7kg
    *640(W)x940(H)x710(D)mm
    *Combined Condensing Dryer
    *Max. Spin : 1,200rpm
    *Direct Drive Motor
    *9 Washing Programs
    *13 Additional Selections
    *6 Time Drying Programme
    *4 Auto Drying Programme
    *Time Delay (3~19 Hours)

    Model : LG-WDR1112

    won’t it consumpt more power? How much will you pay for the electricity bills?

  13. not sure if it’s the same model. apparently most modern washer dryer combos have some kind of energy saving thing. our monthly electric bill has averaged around less than a hundred ringgit.

    the comment from the reviews were right about the wrinkles, but I have a steam iron, so that helps a bit.

    Assuming your 11kg/7kg model is the same, RM2.7k is not bad at all.

  14. Greetings,

    Yes. This sounds like a good buy. May I know at which store that quoted the 11kg/7kg WD-R1112 for RM2,700 as I am considering to get a unit?

    Thank you.

  15. I got it at ESH, SS2. Check out esh2u.com

    The guy who serviced me, Willie, was very good.

  16. Hello, I found your postings while searching for LG Tromm washer-dryer combo reviews. What’s your feedback on the machine after one year? :D

  17. We had something replaced after a carpet got stuck in there. Warranty covered it so we didn’t have to pay much.

    Overall quite reliable. Didn’t have any problems with it, while we were using it. I’d definitely recommend it, since it’s great value for money at that price (size + combo feature).

  18. I am also considering the WD-R1014, of course the Sales man is recommending a seperate washer and dryer but I think I will go for the WD-R101 which is a 10.2kg washer / 6kg dryer. in Europe, most people go for the Allery Care & Sterilization-Steam DD and checking LG site, they do not have much information on the WD-R1014.

    Which model of washer/dryer are you referring to Boon?

  19. The model I bought was WM3677HW / WM36. I don’t know if this is the exact model in Europe. I bought it in Malaysia.

    It’s true that a separate dryer and washer is better - in the sense that if one breaks down, you still have the other. There are other reasons as well, I suppose. I can’t remember now.

    I decided to go with a combo because:
    1. saves space
    2. better value
    3. I don’t torture my appliances

    Combos are more reliable now, anyway. Welcome to the 21st century.

  20. Yeah…I bought the LG WD-R1014 for RM2950. It was delivered just now. Everything seem ok except that I still don’t know how to set the automatic process of washing to drying in one complete cycle. The machine stop after the washing is completed. I need to choose the option for Dry Only after that. There is no mention of how to do it in the user manual. That’s why I am searching thru the internet now for help. Have you used it? Do you know how to do that?

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