Can I place a washing machine next to a stove?

There are numerous guidelines regarding the placement of traditional kitchen appliances (refrigerators, stoves, sinks, and so on). However, residents of small apartments often need to install a washing machine in the kitchen as well. Naturally, many are concerned about whether it's safe to place a washing machine next to a stove.

Close-fitting installation

When every centimeter of kitchen space counts, many housewives have no choice but to place the stove and washing machine right next to each other, with no space between them. While this may seem convenient at first, it can lead to a number of problems and inconveniences down the line.

First, vibration. During the spin cycle, the washing machine vibrates quite a bit, and if it's in close contact with the stovetop, these vibrations will also affect it. It might seem like a no-brainer, but it's not that simple. While the insides of a washing machine were designed with all the subtleties of dealing with centrifugal force in mind, a kitchen stove isn't prepared for such overloads.At best, this will lead to minor problems; at worst, to serious damage.

The second, but no less important, unpleasant consequence of such proximity. Imagine you're cooking soup or porridge on the stove while the washing machine is running and starting the spin cycle. There's a 100% chance some of the contents of the pot will end up on the stovetop, or even on the control panel. The food is wasted, the stove is dirty, and the kitchen smells unpleasant. Do you really need that?

Third, there are ventilation holes. Modern stovetop ovens are equipped with a special ventilation system and electronic controls. However, if the washing machine's body blocks the air inlets and outlets, the stovetop will quickly become unusable.

To avoid such problems, place the washing machine at least a few centimeters, if not several decimeters, away from the stove. This way, such proximity will not cause any inconvenience.

Optimal clearance

It's not just the washing machine that can damage a stove; the opposite can also happen. It's common knowledge that even today, some apartments still have older-style electric and gas stoves, those manufactured during the Soviet era and therefore less sophisticated.

Older models tend to overheat. This can cause serious damage if it comes into contact with the plastic parts of the washing machine's body, as older models can reach temperatures of up to 90-95 degrees Celsius, which is too high for plastic. This will quickly cause the washing machine to fail.

What should you do to avoid problems?

Of course, a small apartment presents many challenges, but unconventional solutions can help. For example, you can install a thin layer of thermal insulation between the appliances. In this case, the gap can be safely reduced to 0.5 cm. These are just a few of the suggestions.

1. Place old gas or electric stoves away from washing machines (the distance should be at least 2 to 5 centimeters).
2. Avoid heating the room using the stovetop burners. While this is convenient during the off-season, the stovetop walls can become too hot over time.
3. Avoid placing the washing machine and stove too close together to prevent vibration during the spin cycle from damaging both appliances.

In any case, when using the stove and washing machine together as described above, avoid using them actively at the same time. It's better to separate washing and cooking, even though this isn't very convenient.

   

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