Built-in washing machines under the countertop

Modern models of washing machines and their installation options allow you to maximize the use of all the space of the room. One common solution for very small bathrooms, or in the case of moving the machine into the kitchen, is to mount the machine under the countertop. It can connect adjacent kitchen cabinets or be part of the sink.

The pros of placing the machine under the countertop can include:

• The possibility of saving space in the room.
• The possibility not to save on the capacity of the unit.
• The ease of connection to the communications, which, in addition, will be hidden from view.

As for the disadvantages, they include:

• Rather high cost, if we are talking about built-in models.
• Difficulty in selecting a suitable apparatus, taking into account the size and other parameters.
• The need to dismantle the equipment when repairing it.
• The spread of unpleasant odors from laundry and powders, if the machine is installed in the kitchen.

The most popular machines for embedding under the countertop are drum-type automatic machines. Depending on the method of loading, these machines can be:

• Front-loading. The laundry is loaded into such a machine from the front side. These machines are more common and are available in a large range. Through the hatch you can observe the washing process, and to build such a model is quite easy.
• With a srtic loading. In such models, things are loaded from above, sometimes even in the process of washing. They usually have small dimensions, but they are more expensive than the front ones. When you build such machines, they are placed under the hinged countertop.

The options for placing the washing machine under the countertop depend on the chosen model of the machine. If it is a compact model, it is installed on the plinth. Taller machines are pushed inside and installed on the floor. They can be both covered with a door in front (then the machine will be completely hidden from sight), and remain in sight (then its difference from freestanding units will only be the presence of the table top).

If the machine is required to be built under the countertop, its dimensions are one of the main parameters for the correct selection and installation of the unit. Choosing to embed a front-loading machine, you can stop at:

• Full-size model. The width and depth of such a machine is 60 cm, and the height varies between 85-90 cm. Inside such a machine fits 5-7 kg of laundry.
• Narrow machine. From full-size it differs only in depth, the parameters of which are from 35 to 40 cm. In such a machine load from 3.5 to 5 kg of clothes.
• Ultra narrow model. Its difference from full-size and narrow is only in the depth parameters (it is 32-33 cm). Such machine can hold 3-4 kg of laundry.
• Compact machine. All dimensions of such a unit are reduced in comparison with the full-size model - the width to 47-50 cm, height to 68-70 cm, and depth to 43-45 cm. In such a machine is loaded no more than 3 kg of things.

Your actions will depend on whether the countertop is already installed or it is just planned. If neither the machine nor the countertop is already in place, you should first determine the dimensions of the future appliances. Once you have measured the space for the upcoming machine, don't forget to add a few centimetres to spare.

If you already have a worktop, measure it and find a machine that fits your needs. In such cases, often choose compact models of appliances that can fit under the existing countertop. An alternative option that will allow you to buy a full-size or narrow machine is to raise the countertop higher.

After connecting the machine to all the utilities, it is placed on the prepared place under the countertop.

Popular models for installation under the countertop are:

• Zanussi FCS 1020C. This is a representative of compact front machines with dimensions of 50x52x67 cm, so it is convenient to hide it under the countertop. The appliance can be loaded with 3 kg of laundry. This machine has a class A electricity consumption and low water consumption (per wash spends about 39 liters). Spinning in it occurs at a speed of up to 1000 revolutions and is represented by a class C.
• Zanussi ZWI 71201 WA. It is a full-size built-in machine that can hold 7 kg of laundry. It is characterized by power consumption class A++, the presence of 20 washing programs, spin speed up to 1200 rpm and spin class B. The height of such a machine is 82 cm. The machine is reliably protected against leaks, can wash both cotton and wool, and delicate fabrics, curtains and jeans. Pluses of the model is also the presence of a timer, child protection, easy ironing function.
• Miele W 2859 iR WPM ED Supertronic. This is a stylish built-in front machine, which holds 5.5 kg of laundry. Its height is 82 cm. The model has 16 washing programs, including express, delicate, hygienic, for outerwear, men's shirts, silk, sportswear and pillows. The spin in this machine is made at speeds up to 1600 rpm and is represented by class A. Pluses of the machine are also quiet operation, low water consumption (42 liters per wash), the presence of a honeycomb drum and backlight in it.

Looking at the rather high prices of built-in models of washing machines, the question arises about the possibility of installing a conventional appliance under the countertop. And indeed, you can very well do the installation of any freestanding machine in these ways:

• Purchase the model you like and order the furniture taking into account its dimensions. In this case, the countertop will be located quite high, if you have not preferred a compact machine.
• Remove the top cover from the machine and put the countertop on top.