If you want to stack a tumble dryer on top of a washing machine you need a stacking frame or stacking kit. This article explains why, and gives advice about buying one.
Can you stack a dryer on a washing machine without a stacking kit?
I’ve come across many people who just stood their tumble dryer on top of the washing machine. But it should be obvious that this is not a good idea. There are two reasons why you need a stacking kit. The first is because the tumble dryer could get thrown off the washing machine during a fault, or merely vibrate off during a particularly boisterous spin.
The second reason is that a person could potentially pull a dryer on top of themselves if they pulled down on its open door. This scenario is less likely though. The concern is aimed more at children, but it’s possible to imagine someone stumbling near by and grabbing hold of the dryer door only to have it fall on them.
If your washing machine and tumble dryer are the same brand and style, the manufacturer may have designed a frame specifically for them. This is definitely the best option if you can find one. The trouble is that there are many different configurations of tumble dryer and washing machine, and different models from the same manufacturer may have different chassis and casings.
Universal tumble dryer stacking kits
There are universal stacking kits available that are supposed to connect any tumble dryer to any front loading washing machine. They should be cheaper than the manufacturer’s although they might not be as snug a fit. You may prefer to try a universal stacking kit if your washing machine and tumble dryer are different makes or if you find the manufacturers kit too expensive.
As with all “universal fit” products there is the potential for it to not be a “perfect” fit but if the makers say they connect all tumble dryers to any front loaders then they should do so satisfactorily or you will be entitled to your money back. Pay close attention to the sizes of appliance they quote to make sure yours will fit.
John Lewis
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bruce girvan says
can a fixing kit be used to put a dishwasher on top of a washing machine ?
Washerhelp says
I know you wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t something you felt you needed to explore but I would be extremely surprised if anyone made a stacking frame which allowed a dishwasher to sit on top of a washing machine.
If the dishwasher leaked it could potentially soak the washing machine beneath and cause physical and or electrical damage.
Dishwashers also tend to be a different shape and depth than a tumble dryer which tends to be quite similar to a washing machine so the dishwasher is likely to be a poor physical fit.
The biggest problem is that the drain hose for the dishwasher would be far too low because the plumbing would be a few feet beneath it. This could allow water to siphon out during use causing the dishwasher to malfunction as this washing machine troubleshooting section describes – washing machine constantly fills with water and goes down the drain
Rumple Stiltskin says
Hello,
Can these stacking things be used for stacking free-standing fridges and freezers atop each other?
Washerhelp says
That’s an interesting idea. I’m not aware of anything available to do that. There’s no way a washing machine / tumble dryer stacking kit would be suitable because of the difference in shape and size of the appliances.
If you just stacked the fridge on top of a freezer, in theory (if it was a stable fit) they could be OK because they don’t move or bounce around. However, there would be a danger of the top appliance being knocked off. The arrangement would be particularly unstable when the door of the top appliance was opened as any leverage on the door could topple it on top of someone. Also, if the door was opened but then closed again and you tried to open it again shortly after then the door tends to be extra hard to open as it creates a type of vacuum. This could also cause the top appliance to fall off if someone pulled on the door but it didn’t open and instead pulled the appliance forward.
Having said all that, I have this arrangement in my garage where I have a free standing upright freezer with a free standing fridge on top. The freezer is slightly larger so the fridge stands firmly on top without the feet being precariously close to the edge. Everything works fine and feels stable.
Jose says
following your reply to Bruce Girvan about the dishwasher on top of a washing machine, I have the same issue. I want to install a dishwasher in the kitchen and the only room left would be on top of the washing machine. is there any plumbing solution to avoid the dishwasher to malfunction ?
Washerhelp says
Jose: The main issue apart from stability and leaks is the drain hose. A drain hose on a washing machine or dishwasher needs to go up well above the level of the water inside the machine to prevent siphoning.
The waste water pipe is usually near floor level and extends 2 – 3 feet up the wall where the drain hose is then placed. To position the waste water pipe in the correct position for a machine elevated 3 or 4 feet high it would need to be similarly elevated which depending on the siting could be undesirable. On the other side of the wall the pipework would run outside at about 5 feet above ground and would look similarly bad.
Personally I feel it’s a bad idea. Have you looked into having one fitted into a kitchen cupboard. You can get built in dishwashers that take up just one cupboard space or small dishwashers – or even worktop dishwashers that drain into the sink. You could regain the cupboard space by having one fitted above the washing machine.
Jose says
thanks for your prompt reply. Now I understand what the technical issue is. I thought I could connect the drain hose from the dishwasher to drain into the sink, like the washing machine already in place.
I wish I could consider that option (take kitchen cupboards apart), but this is not my flat I am just renting it for a year or so.
Washerhelp says
Jose: If the drain hose was extended so it was long enough to be tied up at the back of the dishwasher but then run into the sink it might avoid the siphoning problem. If the drain hose just runs downwards to the drain or as in your case to the sink then because the water inside the appliance is higher than the end of the drain hose it can just run out through gravity.
If the drain hose is forced to go up first, then is allowed to drop lower then water should only run into the sink if it was pumped up 3 feet or so before running down to the sink.
However, if the end of the drain hose is lower than the level of water inside the appliance it is possible for siphoning to occur because the pump can start off siphoning in the same way as you could by sucking the end of the hose. Once water has started to run down a pipe it will continue even after the pressure that started it has gone (this is what we call siphoning). It would depend exactly how the appliance works. If the machine started filling whilst water was still running out of the machine (if siphoning has been started) it is possible under the circumstances we are discussing that water would run into the machine but go straight down the drain and the appliance would be stuck in a never ending filling and draining cycle.
You would only know for sure after trying it out.
[ related: Washing machine constantly fills with water and goes down the drain ]
Jose says
thanks for your reply.
so worktop dishwashers do not have that siphoning issue ? why is that ?
Washerhelp says
You would need to double check if looking into a worktop dishwasher. They are very small though so possibly unsuitable. I can’t say for sure, but I think they may not have a normal pump, I think they may have a valve that opens up when it needs to drain using the wash motor. I know dishwashers from the past used to have this arrangement until modern dishwashers started to have a separate pump similar to a washing machine pump.
As worktop dishwashers are designed to sit on a worktop and many will presumably drain into the sink at the side I suspect they may have the drain valve instead of a pump, which would not allow any water out of the machine unless the machine was wanting to drain.
No one should assume this is the case though and should check they are suitable for draining into the sink.