Are stackable washer/dryers any good?

Question

I am considering providing a stackable W/D set in the rental (due to space considerations), instead of two separate units side by side on the floor.

Years ago in an apartment I had a stackable W/D and the dryer took an eternity to dry the clothes (90 minutes to 2 hours if there were jeans in the load). Is this the norm with these units, or was I just unlucky. I don't want to provide something that's just going to p*ss the tenants off. Thanks.

Ann Bellamy · Answer

Stackable dryers can come with either 110v power or 220v.  If your jeans take forever to dry, you probably had 110.  Takes forever and costs more to operate.  Lower initial costs, but sub par performance.

Randy F. · Answer

Initial cost and repair costs are both lower for a one piece stackset. The front loaders, which are stackable, are all the rage but are a hit or miss proposition. Some are lucky enough to have no trouble but way too many are not so lucky. Too many expensive parts and more labor to tear down and repair. Whirlpool an Fridgidaire stacks are both good but the whirlpool is more structurally solid.

Parts for the stacksets are readily available and reasonable. If the front loaders need a control board it will cost as much to replace board as a rebuild on both the washer and dryer of a one piece stackset.

My opinion for a rental... Find a rebuilt whirlpool 27" stackset for $500 - $600 bucks and it will take a lickin and keep on tickin. If no place sells refurbished in your area, I would find one on craigslist that looks in good shape... Clean dryer drum, etc., get it for $300 and run ad for someone to rebuild it. Not something you can fake. They either can or cant. Likely get a call from a tech who isnt workin or will do on the side for $200- $250

Johann Jells · Answer

Be extremely careful buying front loaders, even new. The Frigidaire-whirlpool models are notorious for bearing seals going, and the "spider" casting that hold the drum corroding out within 4 years, resulting in a totalled machine, as repair is nearly the cost of replacement.  I have a LG stacker, I simply would not buy a domestic model anymore.

Regular white top loaders can be had on Craigslist for far less than repairing one. I put those in the basements of my multifamilies, though physically moving them is getting intimidating as I decay.

Jennifer Lee · Answer

we had it when we were in boston, is better than no having it, it was grandfathered into my unit (condo), until they took it away when I turned it into a rental

and when I did my flip in boston, it was the only thing I could FIT in the old home

Sam W. · Answer

I have three of them in three rental units.  Good service after about 3 years now.  Purchased through a local used appliance store.

Some of the 27 inch units hold just about as much as a regular duty top-loader and will provide enough capacity for a family of 4.  The 24 inch units don't have great capacity and are best suited for a 1 bedroom unit.

If you get washers/dryers that are too small, tenants will overload them routinely and shorten the life of the appliances.  Of course, if you don't have enough room for the larger 27 inch stackables then you will have to go with the smaller unit.

Max Williams · Answer

One other thing to consider with a stack (all in one) unit:  If one half of the unit breaks and is not worth fixing, you lose the whole thing (washer and dryer.)  The stackable front load machines are the way to go as a result, as stated above.  You may be able to find a shop that sells refurbished front load stackable units with a warranty through a local REI club or on Craigslist.  Good luck!

Michael Power · Answer

Look in the secondary market for a good used unit.  They exist.  But if you get into repairs, that might eat up any savings.  If you are providing W/D units, (which is good), save yourself a future headache and get some reliable units that you don't need to go repair.  Makes for very happy long-term tenants!

Mike P.

James H. · Answer

Many of the full size front loaders can be side by side or stacked. Something like a Maytag Duet would be great, but also around 800/per machine.

Michael Power · Answer

They work...

Mike P.

Randy F. · Answer

Stackables are two seperate units which cam be stacked or used side by side.
Stacksets are a single, one piece unit with dryer above and top load washer below. There is enough room above washer to open lid.

Front load washers have a rubber boot which seals the door. These fail quite often. There was a lawsuit against one of the manufacturers as well because there can be mold issues in the folds of the boot. They also have control boards to run all the fancy features which are a couple hundred bucks when they fail and the machines are labor intensive to work on.

Are stackable washer/dryers any good?

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