Congrats on the decision. Please keep up posted, and of course....WE love pics & videos!!

Since you are doubling your potential load size-have you measured your loads' usual size? When I did I ended up getting the compact electrolux (with trap access on the front). If I had the need I may well have gone with the LG...even though their customer service reputation is less than stellar.

Agree with Practigal! I have had full size Miele units, Electrolux, Frigidaire, Samsung and Electrolux units (4cu ft to over 5 cu ft) and My "small" Miele units hold as much and I can do everything I did in the much larger units.

From what I have seen and read the compact Electrolux units are phenomenal, and VERY reasonably priced!

Now you'll are gonna start messing with Askos head. LOL Asko, if you aren't completely happy with those machines if you were to purchase, are you able to return them? If you do end up getting those, I can't wait to hear your reviews. Those would be something I could consider down the road.

I have been very happy with my LG FL washer (3+ years - no issues). This is my second LG washer (my ex ended up with the other one and as far as I know it still is working perfectly fine). I also have a couple of friends with LGs who had flawless performance from them. I wouldn't hesitate to buy an LG washer again.

I replaced my LG front loader with my Asko pair only because I could. There is nothing wrong with my 7 year old LG and I still have it stored.

Hi there, I am curious as to why "I won't buy them unless they have 120V plugs for the washers rather than "piggy backed" 220V plugs that need to be plugged into the dryer (which is most of them)"... is this a safety issue?

I cannot answer for OP but I can point out that if your washer only works plugged into the dryer and the dryer goes out then you lose your washer too. If they plug into different outlets they can work independently.

Only Asko had the piggy back plug as far as I know. I have several Miele and they all have independent plugs. I am pretty sure the Bosch has always had independent plugs also. The newer Mieles are 120v except for the little Giant.

Blomberg too. I was very interested in that brand until I found out that they have the piggyback plug.

The piggyback plug was exactly why I didn't buy the Blomberg also. When I had my Miele it needed a special 220 dual plug, but that wasn't a problem you could still replace either machine if needed.

I must be missing something here. Are these machines _only_ functional if plugged into the matching dryers? I can't believe the manufacturer wouldn't sell a standard NEMA plug if you wished to operate the machine as a stand-alone. Many people don't even use a dryer in certain climates.

That was certainly the case with the Blomberg, I couldn't buy the washer without also buying the dryer because you had to plug the washer into the dryer, no other way of powering it.

Yes Alex Chicago it is not a nema plug. Perhaps if they dryer goes out you could buy and install a new cord but that is not what their distributors say. See AJ Madison for example. If both the W and D require separate dedicated 240 lines most people would have to add a second separate 240 circuit-woah! The work around is to plug one into the other, then only one line is required.

I was almost certain the Asko washer plug, designed to plug into the dryer, was still a NEMA standard style (L6-20 or something of that nature). But yes, agree that if the washer isn't piggy packing on the dryer two separate circuits would be required -- which is not always an ideal solution.

In response to a couple of comments and questions...

As I understand it, in N. America a typical dryer requires a 220V outlet, and draws 30A current. Typical Euro washers and dryers each require a 220V outlet, but draw only 15A each. The two machines together draw the same current that a typical N. American dryer does. That's why piggybacking can be done. Our dryer is dead, but our washer is not. In order to use the washer I have to plug it into the back of the dead dryer. It would be nice to just replace the dryer, but I can't, unless I buy another Asko. The missus is not happy with this washer/dryer pair, so I won't be getting Asko again.

I do know about the compact Electrolux washer/dryer pair. I have seen the pair in a couple of stores. I have reservations about it, given that it is very new. I would prefer to buy something that has a proven long-term reliability. Also, I really don't want a condenser dryer, especially heading into Summer. Our laundry area can get very warm from May to September. A vented dryer is what I want. Mind you, in Winter the heat from a condenser dryer would come in handy.

asko_buyer, could you post a picture of your Asko washer's plug? I had my Asko washer plugged into a wall outlet.

asko buyer, I just bought the compact Electrolux set, I don't believe it's that new onto the market, it's not part of their new line up which is why I waited so long to buy.

The dryer does in fact warm up the room, but I wouldn't say overly so, but I don't live in a hot climate. I only do 2 -3 loads of laundry per week & I am always taking things out to hang while damp, so the longest drying time I've had is 40 minutes. I was hesitant about a non vented dryer, but it's so efficient about doing it that I'm very happy with it.