Washer & Dryer Recommendations

[BUTCH1]

Everyone I know who uses the new front loaders loves 'em but shelling out
$1,700 for a washer/dryer is the pricy way out, maybe in a few years the
water/electric/gas savings will pay back the difference vs top loaders..

 

[Linux23]

Why pay more for front loaders when the top loaders do just as good of a job? I see front loaders for more than $1000. WTF are they more than $1000?

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: markgm
I've been using the Whirlpool Duet for around 3 years and haven't had any issues. Picked them up at Costco.

Ditto.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Linux23
Why pay more for front loaders when the top loaders do just as good of a job? I see front loaders for more than $1000. WTF are they more than $1000?

I can find top loaders that are $1000 also, does not mean they all are. Our high end front loader was well below $1000.

Also front loaders use less water, power, and are easier on clothes and clean better.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Linux23
Why pay more for front loaders when the top loaders do just as good of a job? I see front loaders for more than $1000. WTF are they more than $1000?

B/c top loaders don't do as well of a job.

Front loaders - clean better, use less water & electricity, more delicate to your clothing, dry your clothing better requiring less time in the dryer(saving money). Some have sanitary features and steam which help to remove stains.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: joshsquall
Just bought my first house and I need to pick up a washer and dryer. Looking for type/brand/model recommendations. Front loading is attractive, but they are must more expensive. Recommendations of places/ways to get a good deal are also welcome.

Front loaders are slow compared to my old top loading washer; a typical load that used to take 20 minutes now take 50-70 minutes in the front loader. If I could go back to the old way, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Do your self a favor, find a 4 year old Maytag (pre-Whirlpool merger) that will run for the next 30+ years and save your self the time, headache, and repair costs (not all) needed for many front loading washers.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: compman25
We have the Fisher & Paykel top loaders, they have been great.

Very poor reliability and overall customer satisfaction. Though you are the exception.

 

[compman25]

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: compman25
We have the Fisher & Paykel top loaders, they have been great.

Very poor reliability and overall customer satisfaction. Though you are the exception.

And you have experienced this first hand??? Or are you assuming it to be true?

 

[DrPizza]

Big question: sure, they may save on water, but is water savings where you live an issue? And, they save on power, but the difference in cost will pay for quite a few years of electricity, although I'm intrigued on the concept that the clothes come out of a front loader washer drier than from a top loader... why is this?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Big question: sure, they may save on water, but is water savings where you live an issue? And, they save on power, but the difference in cost will pay for quite a few years of electricity, although I'm intrigued on the concept that the clothes come out of a front loader washer drier than from a top loader... why is this?

I've read that a front-loader can save one $75-100 a year(probably based on a family of 4 or something). They come out drier b/c the drum on a front-loader can rev at a higher rpm than a top-loader, allowing more water to be pulled out of the clothes.

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Big question: sure, they may save on water, but is water savings where you live an issue? And, they save on power, but the difference in cost will pay for quite a few years of electricity, although I'm intrigued on the concept that the clothes come out of a front loader washer drier than from a top loader... why is this?

Because they spin the water out of the clothes at up to 1,300+ RPM's. It's so damn fast that you cannot see the the clothing on the side walls when spinning (clothes are compressed).

One factor that many of you miss in a front loading system is the stackability of the units. My laundry room is very tiny. We had a top loading unit in there for years but you basically had to squeeze between the washer/dryer and the door/walls. With the front loaders, we have them turned and toward the back of the room (facing door) and they are stacked, giving a tremendous amount of extra room. Worth every penny.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: compman25

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: compman25
We have the Fisher & Paykel top loaders, they have been great.

Very poor reliability and overall customer satisfaction. Though you are the exception.

And you have experienced this first hand??? Or are you assuming it to be true?

Yeah that's funny.

http://www.consumersearch.com/...ne-reviews/review.html

We found slightly fewer reliability complaints about Fisher & Paykel high-efficiency top loaders than we did for other brands -- but Fisher & Paykel has other advantages; the two-year warranty at least means that you won't face out-of-pocket repair costs for two years instead of one year. In addition, the Fisher & Paykel Intuitive Eco IWL16 costs a good $200 less than other high-efficiency top loaders. That's why we've chosen to include the Intuitive Eco in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers. This model cleans as well as others and is especially efficient when it comes to water, and it's Energy Star rated.

I think there was something about their dishwashers or whatever, but this thread is about washers and driers.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: compman25

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: compman25
We have the Fisher & Paykel top loaders, they have been great.

Very poor reliability and overall customer satisfaction. Though you are the exception.

And you have experienced this first hand??? Or are you assuming it to be true?

I was considering a Fisher Paykel Washer for my self, that was until I read about poor reliability and satisfaction in a Magazine, might have been consumer reports or a local newspaper a year or two ago.

 

[vanvock]

Maytag

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: vanvock
Maytag

:thumbsup:

My parents used the same Maytag all day long for 25 years, Cleaning laundry for all of the kids in the family. My neighbor who also has a farm (second home) in Michigan has a Maytag from circa 1920 that sits in his barn and still works.


http://www.shorpy.com/node/3955

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: vanvock
Maytag

:thumbsup:

My parents used the same Maytag all day long for 25 years, Cleaning laundry for all of the kids in the family. My neighbor who also has a farm (second home) in Michigan has a Maytag from circa 1920 that sits in his barn and still works.


http://www.shorpy.com/node/3955

Today's "Made In Mexico" Maytag's aren't your parent's or neighbor's old Maytag. I've read and heard bad things about them lately. They might be OK because you always seem to read the bad as people love to spread the bad and forget the good.

Regardless, read up on anything before you buy.....

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: vanvock
Maytag

:thumbsup:

My parents used the same Maytag all day long for 25 years, Cleaning laundry for all of the kids in the family. My neighbor who also has a farm (second home) in Michigan has a Maytag from circa 1920 that sits in his barn and still works.


http://www.shorpy.com/node/3955

Today's "Made In Mexico" Maytag's aren't your parent's or neighbor's old Maytag. I've read and heard bad things about them lately. They might be OK because you always seem to read the bad as people love to spread the bad and forget the good.

Regardless, read up on anything before you buy.....

That's why I am recommending you go find a 4-5 year old Maytag for $200 or less; then enjoy or invest the savings over the next 20 years.

 

[vanvock]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: vanvock
Maytag

:thumbsup:

My parents used the same Maytag all day long for 25 years, Cleaning laundry for all of the kids in the family. My neighbor who also has a farm (second home) in Michigan has a Maytag from circa 1920 that sits in his barn and still works.


http://www.shorpy.com/node/3955

Today's "Made In Mexico" Maytag's aren't your parent's or neighbor's old Maytag. I've read and heard bad things about them lately. They might be OK because you always seem to read the bad as people love to spread the bad and forget the good.

Regardless, read up on anything before you buy.....

True but then what the hell is these days?

 

[Ilmater]

I'm very sorry I missed this...

I had to buy a new washer/dryer a few years ago, and I do NOT buy anything lightly, especially when it costs that much money.

I chose front-loading washers because:

- clothes come out dryer because they spin faster, so drying goes faster
- you can fill them fuller (at 6'9" I have big clothes) AND no agitator taking up space
- much more delicate with clothes (agitators used to eat up my clothes)
- You can wash large comforters and other bed sheets easily in them

And I chose Frigidaire because they were on the very high side of reliability on ConsumerReports.com. Plus, for the features you get, the price is unbeatable. I got the equivalent of these about two years ago:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn...1-LTF2140FS&lpage=none
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn...-GLER1042FS&lpage=none

As I said, I got them two years ago, and I couldn't be happier. They're exactly what I wanted. The ONLY issue was that two of the knobs broke and had to be super-glued back together, but it took zero effort to do this.

 

[Christobevii3]

I bought a top loader whirlpool for $300 after 10% rebate and them not getting another in stock so they matched the price, regularly $429. I'd highly recommend it, and is really quiet.

 

[Evadman]

My parents some old ass kenmores that lasted for like 20 years. Since my mom did the laundry for about 15 years for me, I bought them new kenmore HE4's a year or 2 ago (I forget which). They have worked great so far and my mom loves 'em but they were $2.5k retail (If you can fuind one, I think sears is on HE5's now) I got mine at one of the sears outlets for about $1k together.

They had some small scratches on the front, but who cares for a savings of about $1500. I went to the one in Melrose Park in Illinois. there were hundreds of washers and dryers there of just about everything you could think of. If you are putting them behind a door or in the garage or something, I would say go to an outlet like I did.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: vanvock
Maytag

:thumbsup:

My parents used the same Maytag all day long for 25 years, Cleaning laundry for all of the kids in the family. My neighbor who also has a farm (second home) in Michigan has a Maytag from circa 1920 that sits in his barn and still works.


http://www.shorpy.com/node/3955

Old Maytag maybe. Our 2000 Maytag was toast after three years. No thanks.

Go do some research in to the F&P. The thing uses no belts. There's not much that can break or wear on them.

Consumer Reports is a joke. I linked to a much more reliable source that contradicts your hazy reference.

 

[RU482]

Whirlpool Cabrio Top Loader HE Washer and Matching Dryer we bought a while back are quite good. Had them not quite two years, and they work great

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Evadman
My parents some old ass kenmores that lasted for like 20 years. Since my mom did the laundry for about 15 years for me, I bought them new kenmore HE4's a year or 2 ago (I forget which). They have worked great so far and my mom loves 'em but they were $2.5k retail (If you can fuind one, I think sears is on HE5's now) I got mine at one of the sears outlets for about $1k together.

They had some small scratches on the front, but who cares for a savings of about $1500. I went to the one in Melrose Park in Illinois. there were hundreds of washers and dryers there of just about everything you could think of. If you are putting them behind a door or in the garage or something, I would say go to an outlet like I did.

I am begining to see a trend here. The old machines seemed to work too well..... and the newer ones circa 2000-2001 and onward are, well not as good.

 

[Linux23]

The Kenmore top loader we have now has been in service in our household for over 20 years. How long do you think a front loader is going to last? They seem to design products like these to fail after a certain period of time in order to sell you more crap.