Other Points to Consider
You might be moving into a smaller home and taking your old appliances with you. If so, there are a couple of storage options to help you maximise space inside and out. These include stacking your appliances or keeping them in the garage. This section of our buyers guide will take you through how you can do both safely.
Appliances in Outbuildings
Keeping your freezer in the garage is a good way to maximise kitchen space, and useful if you like to stock up on frozen food.
Manufacturers specify the minimum operating temperature, and some are suitable for outbuildings.
However, not all cooling appliances are suitable for outbuildings or garages – most freezers shouldn’t be kept in rooms which get colder than 10°C. Make sure you check the small print as the warranty might be invalid if your appliance stops working in the garage.
All fridges, freezers and fridge freezers have a climate class which highlights the appliance’s working temperature range.
- 10-32°C: SN (subnormal)
- 16-32°C: N (normal)
- 16-38°C: ST (subtropical)
- 16-43°C: T (tropical)
The majority of freezers made in the UK are SN (subnormal). Beko has a range of freezers which work in temperatures as low as -15°C.
Generally, washing machines are not suitable for outbuildings – issues could arise from temperature extremes, pumping and draining difficulties, as well as the risk of condensation build-up.
All fridges, freezers and fridge freezers have a climate class which highlights the appliance’s working temperature range.
Stacking Appliances
You might be moving into a smaller place, but there’s always the need to wash and dry your clothes.
If you have a separate washing machine and dryer, you can save floor space by placing one appliance on top of the other. If you’re considering stacking appliances, there are a few things you need to think about. This part of the guide tells you how to stack safely.
Stacking Kits
Most major brands sell stacking kits, and they’re available in hardware shops.
They’re relatively cheap to buy – much cheaper than a new combined appliance anyway.
The kit prices can vary from around £25 to £100. All kits will connect your appliances safely, while models that are more expensive could feature a pull out shelf to unload the washing.
Normally, these kits are made from plastic, but the more you pay, the thicker the material – premium models often feature a metal base. In terms of colour, the kits are a discreet white to match the colour of most laundry appliances.
If you have a separate washing machine and dryer, place one appliance on top of the other.
Appliance Brand
We strongly advise that you stack appliances of the same brand.
For example, it’s best to stack a Bosch tumble dryer on top of a Bosch washing machine. Some manufacturers specify whether or not their appliances are suitable for stacking.
If you stack two appliances from different brands, the footprint of each may be slightly different. This will cause the structure to be unsafe, so you’ll need to source a ‘Universal Stacking Kit’. These kits are designed to fit a standard size, and might feature a ratchet strap to lock the machines together.
Stacking isn’t appropriate for machines with rounded edges, as the weight won’t be evenly spread.
Stacking Method
Moving heavy appliances is tricky, and we advise that you get an expert to fit the kit.
You will certainly need several people to lift the appliances.
It is strongly advised that you only stack appliances which have been produced by the same brand.
