If you want to stack a tumble dryer on top of a washing machine you need a stacking frame or stacking kit.
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 – even 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.
Related links: Find washing machine – tumble dryer stacking kits
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michelle: I’m not aware of any kits to fix a fridge and freezer together. However, I had a small fridge on top of a small freezer for years in my garage. There isn’t the same issue as when stacking a dryer on top of a washing machine where the washing machine moves about underneath. A fridge on top of a freezer should be stable.
The only concern I’m aware of is the potential for the fridge to be pulled off. The fridge would need to fit well on top of the freezer with plenty of room to spare and not precariously balanced so that even slight movement of of the fridge on top could result in it tipping off.
Also, when the fridge door is open, anyone pulling on it could pull the fridge down onto them. Even opening the fridge door quite quickly after it’s just been closed when you often get a bit of a vacuum seal causing the door to stick for a while could result in the fridge accidentally being pulled forward. (tip: If the door becomes stiff to open breaking the air seal by pulling the door seal away from the door in one place to let air in will release the door)
Other than that there should be no problems as long as you are aware of these potential issues, especially if you have kids opening the fridge on the top.
My fiance and I stacked the dryer on top of the washer in our townhouse’s small laundry room. We used non-slip pads on the feet of the dryer and it seems to be working fine. Should I go get a kit??
Hello Allison: The pros & cons of not using a proper stacking kit are in my article under the heading “Why do you need a stacking kit?”
Great review aboiut why you need a stacking kit but is it entirely correct. Sirem teh kitm is required to mprevent the drier boucing off the washinhg machine but UI have which of the kitw actually lock the drier ontom the top of the washing machine to revent it being pulled down on top of you. No stacking kit Im have seen does this all they do is sopt the drier sliding off the top of the washing machine. If there is one whch lock the two appliance together please post a link.
Great review about why you need a stacking kit but is it entirely correct? Sure the kit is required to prevent the drier bouncing off the washing machine but I have not seen a kit which will lock the drier onto the top of the washing machine to prevent it being pulled down on top of you.
No universal stacking kit I have seen does this. All they do is stop the drier sliding off the top of the washing machine.
I have also not seen a propriety stacking kit which does this. Again most seem to only stop the drier bouncing off the washing machine. To lock the two machines together to prevent the drier tipping off will mean making a fixed connection to both. Which means manufacturer should have built into their appliance a means to do this easily.
If you know of a kit out there which locks the two appliances together please post a link.
Hello Ray: As far as I know it should be much harder or even very hard or impossible to pull over a dryer by the door that was slotted into a stacking kit. However, I can’t guarantee that, I expect they vary in quality and even the depth of how far the dryer slots into the kit.
In the past, all stacking kits secured the dryer to the washing machine. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the stacking kits are very poor these days and may simply rely on the dryer being held in place with short sides on the stacking frame. I would suggest anyone concerned about the possibility of someone pulling the dryer onto themselves should do some careful tests themselves once the dryer and stacking kit is installed.
Logically though, if a dryer slots into a frame with sides, and the frame is slotted securely on top of the washing machine then pulling on the open dryer door should create leverage that should be resisted by the frame unless the frames’ sides are very shallow.
Washerhelp, after reading your reviews about stacking appliances on top of one another I take it that putting a small freezer on top of a dishwasher would not be a problem.
Gordon: The only problem I can imagine is if heat from the dishwasher causes the fridge to work harder or if by any chance water could run from a defrosting freezer onto the dishwasher. There shouldn’t be any concerns of the freezer getting thrown off the dishwasher as they never move during use. The freezer could potentially be knocked off, sliding off when opening a stiff door or pulled down by the door by someone though.
Thanks for your comments i will take these on board.
We have a Siemens washing/machine stacked ontop of each other using a Siemens stacking shelf with pull out drawer. We’ve lost the instructions. Can you give us any hints on how to detatch them?