The GE Conglomerate
The famous inventor Thomas Edison played a direct role in the formation of this company, said to be the second largest company in the world based on various metrics according to Forbes in 2010. GE's business activities include the production and distribution of electricity (generated via various sources such as nuclear, solar and natural gas), industrial robotics, satellites, automobile and aircraft motors, and special purpose computers.
Among these is of course the appliance division with a strong brand-name presence all over the world. The GE stackable washer dryer line-up is known sometimes by the name "Unitized Spacemaker", indicating that two separate appliances have been combined into a single unit to save on area footprint. A number of electric washer and electric or gas dryers are available. Here we focus on the lowest priced choice. Consumers interested in purchasing American products can also consider the Maytag stackable washer dryer or the Frigidaire stackable washer dryer.
Size and Capacity
The GE Spacemaker is characterized by a modest 27 inches in width as well as a tall 75 inches in height - far more voluminous than a mini washer dryer or a portable washer dryer. The washer unit is of small to medium capacity from 1.5 to 2.7 cubic feet depending on the model, which is only small when compared to the spacious modern standalone units. The configuration is given by a front-loading dryer mounted on top of a top-loading washer.
The Washer Component
The GE washer component of the stackable unit is quite simple with just a single speed setting and three temperature settings. There is no sensor for automatically setting water level or temperature. There is also no rinse option and warm/cold cycle to remove allergens and other particulates from clothes more effectively. Unfortunately the single speed setting means that delicate items such as lace or woolens will not fare well and must instead be hand-washed. Along the same veins of valuing simplicity over complexity, controls for the washer are given as knobs rather than buttons.
The Dryer Component
Like the washer, the dryer also has three settings for different fabric types. There is also the "Auto Dry" option which permits the machine to check air temperature continuously with a thermostat (a temperature-based regulator) which shuts off the drying cycle when clothes are sufficiently dry. The GE Spacemaker series offer both electric and gas-fired dryers. Only the vented option is available however, as GE does not product a ventless or condensation-based dryer. As a result the dryer must be fitted to an exterior exhaust pipe that sends wet, hot air to the outside of the machine.
Summary
The GE Spacemaker Unitized models are simple in construction, and reminiscent of GE's older, standalone appliance line-up. They have the most basic functionality in both the wash and dry cycle features. Neither are electronic controls available, as the interface panel is driven entirely by old-fashioned knobs. The simplicity means that modern functions are not available. On the other hand, a simple construction that harks back to trusted technology means that the unit is more easily serviced and less likely to break down.
