Food Larder above Washing Machine?

3 years ago

We've been renovating for a few months and always agreed to put our washing machine in the loft. Now that we've moved in and are about to buy and fit the washing machine, we're realising that just getting it up the stairs is going to be super difficult.

So we're now debating whether to put it at the bottom of our full height larder, the plumber thinks this will work and plumbing it won't be an issue. I'm coming to terms with the fact that I'm losing half my larder but am just wondering if there will be any issues storing food in the cupboard above?

We don't have the space to put it anywhere else in the kitchen, I've attached a photo of the space below.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

beesneeds
3 years ago
Will the washer fit in the cabinet? Are those cabinets going to stay on feet/wheels or get floor mounted? If they are staying on feet/wheels, are they sturdy enough for a loaded washer running? I'm assuming a front loading washer.
latifolia
3 years ago
No washing machine I have ever owned would have worked inside a cabinet. First, they are much deeper than a standard cabinet, because you have to allow room for all the plumbing and electrical. A washer that fit in a cabinet would be too small to be useful.

Second problem is vibration. Any washer worth having spins fast, which causes vibration. It needs to be on a solid surface, ideally a cement floor. And if it ever leaks, you definitely wouldn't want it in your cabinet.

Where are you putting your dryer? If you are getting a combo machine, which I wouldn't advise, it will create heat.

Storing things in a cabinet above your washer is the least of your problems. If this space is your only option, then put a stacked washer/dryer, and get a new cabinet for next to it.
Related Discussions
'Dirt' and your larder
Q
Comments (7)
I live in hurricane alley...I stock pile loads of stuff beginning June 1st!!! Canned goods 20 lb bag of rice...basmati rice! I could live off of rice I think. Water...about 10 gallon jugs of it and then the 16 oz bottles of Sams choice...about 8 cartons of it. Of course we drink this everyday regardless of a hurricane. Toilet Paper...I hoard toilet paper. Paper towels...same as toilet paper...I hoard it. Extra cat food Extra fish food...and distilled water for the fish tanks. I just read the above and I sound like a nut...LOL Deb
...See More
Miele DW excuses for dirty dishes after 2 washes
Q
Comments (68)
This is a two way street. The people that get all ruffled at Miele when they suggest that there might be operator error are guilty of the same behavior they're accusing Miele of. They are not considering the possibility that they or a particular use might just using the appliance improperly ! I've had almost 20 years with these machines and Miele sometimes sends out or you receive a bum steer. I've personally seen ones arrive with seized pumps or non functioning heaters - you can count them on less than one hand, but they are out there. second, Miele designs and builds one of the most advanced and highest quality units in the industry today. Like any other company, they sometimes ship a defective unit or it gets broken in transit from Germany or they just get or specify a not so good batch of parts. This does not man that they are a bad or inferior company. It does mean that THAT particular user's experience is not so rosey and like a wrecked car you can't un-wreck it. Knowing that you design and produce one of the best machines in the market it's natural for a company to take the view that if there is an initial prob. that it is operator error, especially when the data actually bears this out. Now, what this doesn't take into account is that the product might just not be the correct choice or a particular individual. i.e I just like rinsing my dishes so they don't get crusty or I like using x brand of detergent which for whatever reason doesn't work in a particular unit. (asolo - I agree with you in principle, but some combos just don't work especially in the prior generation) Or - my dishes are wet AND I refuse to use rinse aid. The prob. is big corp. brother makes NO provision whatsoever for the fact that sometimes a product is not a good fit for or able to meet the needs of some customers. For those that take umbrage at all the try this or that. Take a breath - most of these are good suggestions that have worked for people that have had problems with these in the past - sure it'd be nice to take it out of the box and have it adapt to my habits without needing to read the manual, but that isn't the case with much these days. Again - all this hopping on one leg patting one's head while tugging the left earlobe may be more than a particular customer wants or feels (s)he should have to invest in getting a tool to work for them. But, refusing to do it once you're in the game AND THEN calling the product or co.'s stuff, junk isn't quite fair. I'd advise megg not to get a Bosch - or any other Euro washer and the results are very likely to be the same. I do hope (s)he will come back and tell us what they ended up replacing the miele with and how the new unit fairs.
...See More
How To Get A Clean Wash With A Samsung FL
Q
Comments (15)
When we purchased our Samsung, I thought I had done my homework and selected the most trouble free machine that I was aware of. That was before I found out about the problems that are inherent in modern ecological philosophy. Now, I really don't know which manufacturers to trust can get the job done. You are getting a large capacity machine, I believe. That will limit your choices. I might look at the Maytag large capacity top loader and see if a model has controls that will let you adjust the amount of water and temperature of wash and rinse. But that is just a guess. Since Samsung greatly exaggerated the capacity of my machine I don't trust them. And I'm not sure if they know how to make the soap, bleach, conditioner dispenser work. Remember, they are using very little water to wash the clothes. How do they get all the soap out of the soap dispenser and still dilute the bleach sufficiently, and completely rinse it out. The difference between solid and liquid detergent dispensing on mine is a plastic piece that you slide up for solid and down for liquid. There is no seal around the edges of that piece, like rubber etc. So if the liquid is thin enough it can leak under it. Then all your liquid detergent seems to be used in the prewash cycle. It is stuff like that, along with bad performance, that soured me on it. Many others are really happy with theirs and I am a bit of a worrywart, so be warned.
...See More
Need to clean my washing machine
Q
Comments (58)
So to reiterate, it's not my washer, it's in my parents' rental. The tenant was apparently kind of clueless when it came to appliances. Mold and mildew fortunately doesn't seem to a problem, it's a combo of a year's worth of limescale from the very hard water, massive buildup from overdosed liquid detergent and fabric softener, and I'm sure a lovely biofilm as well. I believe the bulk of the detergent residue is gone at this point, so it's mostly a matter of getting the scale off the drum, which may take a couple of washes. The scum on the boot and outer edge of the casket will also need to be cleaned off manually, but I think I'm going to let my parents deal with that parent ;) @Sparky, that's interesting about them recommending cold water with the vinegar wash, and it does make a certain amount of sense. I know citric acid has to be used hot, but that's because calcium citrate isn't very soluble at lower temperatures. In my own experience vinegar isn't the best at dealing with scale, but it's great at taking off hard water soap scum. We always just pour it straight into the tub or wherever, without any hot water, let it sit for a while and the soap scum usually comes off in flakes when you scrub it.
...See More
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
I have no idea about what you are trying to do . A stackable W/D is the only solution IMO and not inside cabinets either .No to food storage above a washer or dryer ever and if you post your whole space floor plan maybe there is another solution and BTW in the loft was bad to begin with.
Ig222
3 years ago
Are you in the States? This pantry seems to narrow for US washing machines? May be European ones. This said, I have never seen a washing machine in a cabinet. Not sure how it would work.
wdccruise
3 years ago
Forget it. The washer has to sit on the floor, not in this cabinet which appears to be an IKEA Sektion cabinet. I assume these "larder" cabinets are attached with screws to the cabinet at the right containing the hot water heater.
1. Disconnect and remove these cabinets.
2. From the installation manual (example) determine the space requirements for the washer opening. Don't forget to allow room for water and drain pipes, and electricity.
3. Purchase and install cabinets that will fit above and to the left of the washer opening. If you don't need to maximize cabinet space, you could install a full-width counter above and to the left of the washer opening, hang wall cabinets above that counter, and install a base cabinet to the left of the washer opening.
4. Connect the washer and push it into place in its opening.
Poonam Tanna
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Wow, everyone is quite aggressive with their opinions today. I appreciate the advice though, looking into it more it doesn't look like a washing machine would fit in there anyway, the depth is not an issue it was the width, and I'm not a fan of cutting the back of the carcass to make it fit . I was concerned about storing food above. At least I get my full height larder back.

We're happy with having it in the loft, it's just getting it up there that will be difficult.. Our loft room will essentially be a little games/tv room and there's already a built in cupboard that previously housed the water tank where it can go. Quite a few people have upstairs laundry rooms so I can't see an issue with that, there's no need to haul clothes downstairs anyway.

Thanks for the insight though, it was just a thought.

Food Larder above Washing Machine?

Comments (6)

beesneeds

latifolia

Related Discussions

Patricia Colwell Consulting

Ig222

wdccruise

Poonam Tanna
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Food Larder above Washing Machine?

Comments (6)

beesneeds

latifolia

Related Discussions

Patricia Colwell Consulting

Ig222

wdccruise

Poonam TannaOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Poonam Tanna
Original Author