In our search for a furnished apartment in Paris (where I just moved this week!) there were two things that I absolutely insisted on: a queen sized bed and an oven. I felt like this was not a lot to ask for, but, oh how wrong I was! It turns out that both are extremely rare in Paris.
When we finally found an apartment that met these two requirements, we pounced on it so quickly we didn’t bother with a lot of other questions.
Consequently, I was surprised — and a little confused — when our landlady pointed out that the already tiny range actually housed a dishwasher, too! I have never seen an appliance like this, and — I must say — it’s brilliant. I cannot wait to find out what other space-savers exist in Parisian kitchens!
Since Paris does not have a monopoly on tiny apartments (hello, New Yorkers!), I think they should start exporting this fabulous appliance to the States. Until they do, check out these other cool space-savers:
1.This combination griddle / toaster oven / coffee maker from Kalorik would certainly make breakfast a breeze!2. If you’ve ever wondered “why must my fridge and my microwave be so far apart?” then this all-in-one by Summit is for you.
3. It was living in Tokyo that first brought combo appliances to my attention. Leave it to Sanyo to have created this multi-function rice cooker — it’s also a steamer and slow-cooker!
4. Combination washer / dryers like this one from Haier are not only space-saving, they are also energy saving.
Would you be tempted into a multiple-purpose appliance or have you come across any great or unusual kitchen appliances in your travels?
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My microwave sits on top of my fridge, mostly because my suite has 2 units of counter space only *sigh*
I need one. Immediately.
Or sooner.
I'm always wary of buying combo units like these. If it is a large appliance like the oven/dishwasher, finding someone to repair it becomes difficult. If it a small appliance like the coffee maker/toasteroven, pieces like these tend to break down frequently and I consider disposable once something breaks or if a heating element burns out. Replacing it would make it more expensive since you would have to replace both a coffee maker AND a toaster.
But I do have to say, I LOVE the washer/Dryer. It would be so nice not to have to drag a load of wet laundry from one to the other and have several clean clothes fall on the floor while I'm doing it.
Another way to be space-saving is to buy single-drawer appliances that you can stack or put below a storage drawer or cabinet. Fisher Paykel has some great single-drawer dishwashers, fridges, etc: http://www.fisherpaykel.com/
Not sure what you mean by stating that those Haier Washer/Dryer combos are "energy saving".
Unlike certain other makes, Heier's are not Energy-Star rated (and they have TERRIBLE consumer ratings)
...and Haier take FOREVER, hence the bad rating.
A friend of mine bought, at great expense, one of those washer/dryer combos after falling in love with the concept in Ireland. I think it was a Haier, but am not sure - but the thing was completely dead within 18 months, and he couldn't find a repairman that would touch it. We live in the Sonoma wine region, full of high-end appliances, so I'd have thought he'd be able to find someone.
I've said it before, so why not say it again: I wish some of Europe's better-quality small appliances would make their way to the States... the small, crappy selection we have now, and their outrageous pricetags, are ridiculous. I miss the slender and efficient units I used in London and Paris.
Unfortunately, I suspect they wouldn't sell well enough to be worth the cost to manufacture. Too many Americans are addicted to huge McAppliances to fill their McKitchens, whether they need the extra-large volume or not.
Good related (old) blog post...
http://www.mybadpad.com/fun-stuff/10-bizarre-but-useful-appliance-combinations
I love the idea of a washer dryer combo and have the Haier unit shown here. It's a P.O.S. The dryer broke within six months, and I have been air drying for a year. I will use it until it dies, but when replacement time comes, it'll still be a combo unit, but it'll be LG all the way.
I must say that having used many combo washer/dryers in Europe I have never encountered a duo that either cleans OR drys well. Surely the energy-hoggers of America make up for their appetite by finishing the job in 45 minutes? I have literally waited half days while laundry "dried", which meant they were about 70% there and steaming hot. Europe is great for lots of stuff but not this.
my Asko washer/dryer is also a POS & takes hours to even come close drying. you also never get a really fresh/clean scent as with a separate dryer, and there's no lint/pet hair removal function like a conventional dryer.
My LG washer/dryer is awesome- put in a load of clothes in the AM- come back from work all nice and dry- the only problem- wrinkles- but then you just don't over load the machine. I love it! works well in my tiny tiny kitchen!
The washer/dryer combos are a POS. I've never encountered one that actually worked and you have to make way too many compromises to get a decent dry. If you have a 5kg combo that means you have a 2kg dryer. So while the wash will take the 1 hour the dry will be 10-16 hours.
You're better off getting a 10€ horse and drying it outside or on the heater. Or spend 5€ and take it down to laundrette where it will be done in 30 minutes. Just enough time to get a coffee or read a book.
Also, since moving here I haven't been able to find a quality toaster over that didn't cost a fortune. In college I think I spent $50 on one that lasted all 4 years.
I love my washer-dryer SO MUCH.
I desperately wish I had some form of combo-dishwasher mini thing. I went from a medium-sized kitchen with a tall fridge-freezer and a lovely big dishwasher and double sinks.... to a mini kitchen with a mini fridge and a mini sink and no dishwasher. Boo.
Ive always been surprised at laundromats dont go for combined washer dryer units like this. It would be so efficient for them. Hmm.
*That* landromats dont......
Sorry, havent had my coffee yet this morning.
I think many people here are missing that point that the dryer in the combo W/D probably isn't meant to get your clothes 100% dry. You dry them until they aren't soaking, then hang them to dry.
At least that's what I always thought...
I can understand that it's supposed to be a compromise between "wet" and "100% dried using non-renewable energy" but...isn't getting clothes "not soaking" a function of the spin cycle? I want a dryer to get them DRY. Otherwise I'm perfectly capable of wrapping clothing in a towel and stomping on it to wring out the excess water.
@gakusei: Washer/dryer combos are "supposed" to wash and completely dry the clothes. I've yet to find one that actually does so or that doesn't conk out within 2 years. Lovely concept, poor execution.
I have the Malber WD1000 washer/dryer combo and I've had mine for about 5 years now and save for one repair to replace the thermostat fuse, I've never had an issue with it !!! I am a single male living in NYC and I do about 4-5 loads a week, so it definitely gets used often !!! I set the spin RPM's at 1000 and that does the trick with regard to excess moisture !!! Since I line dry my jeans, they come out damn near dry !!! My other items get as dry as if they were in a conventional dryer When it's time to replace, I am planning to get the LG WM3455 model as the LG models are known to be extremely well built !!! I like having just one unit that takes up the space of a conventional dishwasher, and I have it integrated in the kitchen behind a cabinet door, so you would never know it was there !!!
I love that oven/dishwasher combo. It would be perfect for me because I'm only one person.
A tip on washing machines that I got from a repair man. Only do one load per day, he said my washing machine would last longer... still going after 12 years.
Washer dryers have an okay reputation here in Ireland, they say you just can't over pack it.
BTW - My folks have had a Thor in their Motorcoach for the past 7 years - only one issue in all that time that was relatively easy to repair.
http://www.thorappliances.com/site/thorModels/pro_series.php
I had one of those all in one coffee maker griddle toaster oven things, when my kitchen measured 5 feet by 7 feet. It was AWESOME!!!!! IT was just my 3 yr old son and I at that time, so it was perfect for the two of us in our teeny kitchen.
I also HAD one of the Haier washer/dryer combos. Don't waste your money on it. The seals fail a lot due to heat and moisture, Haier customer service was terrible about it, it was horrendous finding someone to fix it (again and again and again every time we moved). I'm not a fan of Haier. Boooo to them.
I have a contertop dishwasher from Danby- we have a HUGE kitchen, but no plumbing for a dishwasher, and only one bank of cabinets/countertops. So, not really any place to put a "Real" dishwasher- the countertop one I have, we run one load a day (5 ppl in the house). It uses like 2tbsp of detergent, less energy than a 60 watt lightbulb, has eco settings, is pretty darn quiet, and only cost us $200. We love it, and it's about the size of a large microwave!!
Here in the UK, it's not unusual to have the washing machine in the kitchen, and I was quite bemused when an American friend expressed surprise at this (What! No utility room?) Also, think it's more a case of city as opposed to suburban living. In other parts of France, people do have spacious kitchens, utility rooms(la buanderie), and Mcappliances.
those fridge/microwave combos are really nice and for a small fridge are actually really roomy if you're only feeding one or two people and can plan your meals well (obvi there isn't a ton of space for bulk freezing purchases). they were the standard issue dorm fridge while i was in college (if you rented it through the school, which was recommended since it was the only type of microwave allowed).
I don't understand the appeal of the fridge/micro combo. if one part breaks you are stuck. why not just put a microwave on top of your fridge?
@ mrsblonde
Probably because in Europe the dryers a quite rare and people simply hang the clothes on a line and wait overnight.
It saves money on the electricity bill and clothes last longer.
The combo oven/dishwasher I think was invented by Candy some 20 years ago.
I want every single thing in this post. My teeny tiny kitchen has full-sized everything. I'd love to talk my landlord into adopting these things!
I would like to find out more about the stove/dishwasher combo shown in the Space Saving Appliances in Paris article that I came across as I was searching for a similar item that we had on our Hatteras.