Posted on 10/21/2014 4:44:18 AM PDT by IamConservative
5 years ago, I purchased an LG front load washer and dryer set. My expectations were as high as the price. About 2 years into it, the first washing machine failed and after many life intruding service calls, I got a new machine under the "lemon" provision of the warranty. This past Sunday, my "new" washer took a dump. Tub won't move. It will run an entire washing cycle and the tub never moves an inch. I have no warranty left and am not inclined to throw any more good money after bad.
We're gong back to a top loader and steering clear of LG and Samsung.
What say ye on the best top loader washer dryer combo today?
Aside from the inconvenience and expense, this experience has solved one problem for me. I now have a target for the family Thanksgiving Day shoot!
My daughter in law’s dad is a small businessman with an appliance store. He recommended a brand made by Whirlpool because you can get repair parts easily. We have GE for same reason since my husband is a handy man and GE puts their parts diagrams online which helps him choose what to order online from the best source. I am not sure but daughter maybe bought Amana.
When the dish washings soaps went phosphate free I started adding white vinegar to the rinse agent. Ended the spotty utensils and glasses.
Now I have to add a color safe bleach to the laundry in order to get clothes clean.
Samsung. Standard, not front loaders. Large capacity. Their latest models are excellent. Their models from last year, the dryer has a manufacturing defect in the drum that makes them go “clunk...clunk...clunk”, and the noise is loud. This year’s model, DV50F9A6EVW, works just fine.
It is well known in the industry that those front loaders, designed to look like commercial units and give a false impression of ruggedness, have issues...lots of issues. We had an LG set. Did OK, but the washer could never be balanced so spin drying was always off balance and the dryer took just way too long to dry clothes. Both of those issues are systemic to the design of front loaders. The mildew issues doesn’t exist as much in dry Colorado, but if the washer door was shut all the time then mildew would form. The front loader washer design just can’t get all the water out.
I found modern washers can use less water and electricity, but don’t search for the washer that uses the least amount of water: It takes water to clean clothes. At a point, the less water, the less the clothes will be clean.
For dyers, a steam option whereby a water line is attached is an excellent feature. Delicates like silk shirts can be wrinkle free with that feature.
Also, TSP, from Home Depot works well, too. Trisodium Phosphate is used by painters to clean walls before painting. Just a hair of it with the detergent puts back that phosphate. I keep it in a sugar dispenser to pour into the detergent reservoir.
Maytag is now made by Whirlpool. The old, troublesome Maytag designs and workmanship of the early-mid 2000s are gone.
Just picking this reply to add in my own Maytag story.
Back in the 80’s; Mrs. R2 wanted a Maytag Washer. So off we go. We are at Montgomery Wards, we find the Maytag she wants, she buys it and all is well.
Until a few years later we have a problem. But the machine is still under warranty! Problem was - Wards said call Maytag and Maytag said call Wards.
What I learned then was that Maytag built and “dumbed down” models just for Wards. They cut corners and used cheaper parts and supplies.
I’ve since come to know that EVERYONE does this. Sears does it. And ESPECIALLY Wal-Mart
Fisher Paykel. Two years, not one issue. Mid priced. Excellent value.
When Whirlpool bought Maytag, it got the Amana brand in the deal. Both Maytag and Amana are now Whirlpool brands but are manufactured to Whirlpool design and production specs.
Where did you buy your Maytag? It makes a difference where you buy it. See my post 106.
Yes, the same is true for a variety of products. The Simmons Beautyrest mattress sold at Sears is not the same as the one at Mattress World or Macy’s, etc.
This guy has pretty good appliance repair forums at www.appliantology.org. He keeps his recommendations current.
Top-loaders last longer and are less expensive to fix. Go with Whirlpool.
My 2 cents:
First of all there are only a few appliance manufacturers left. Maytag, Whirlpool, Amana, Kitchen Aid are all the same company. Dishwashers and refridgerators used ot be all made in Iowa in the same factory. They just put differnet names on them. LG and Samsung are made in Korea. Bosch are made in Germany. GE are mostly made in Mexico in think. Fisher-Packel are made in New Zeeland. Meile are made in Europe somewhere. Electrolux were made in Germany, but they just bought somebody recently.
Back to washing machines. I would not recommend a front loader. They do not remove all of the water during the spin cycle. This leads to mildew/mold growth inside the machine.
I understand that many people end up leaving the door open slightly so the water will evaporate.
Unless you are worried about water use or the amount going into your septic system, I would buy a top load old fashion style machine. My last two machines were Fisher Paykel for this reason. They are top load with a direct drive motor directly under the tub(no belt). Therefore, their spin cycle speed is much higher. When you take the clothes out of the dryer, they are damp, not wet. This reduces dryer time($). When it goes into the spin cycle it sounds like a jet engine spinning. It also uses less water. This was important to me because I have a leach field.
However, I said my last two. The first one, which cost about $600 only lasted 5 years. My buddy, the appliance dealer, said that it would be too expensive to fix it, that the part was over $250. He basically sold me the exact same one at cost. He is the one who told me all the above information about the appliance business. I only buy appliances from him. I would recommend buying from a local dealer, instead of Sears or one of the big box dealers.
He also stated that Bosch make very good appliances, but they are more difficult to work on.
Also, with Kenmore you never know what brand you are really getting unless you look inside to see where it is made. I had a French door fridge that said Amana on the outside of the door. It said Maytag on the inside. A friend had the exact same machine, she paid about $400 more because it said Kitchen Aid on the outside.
Now you get dozens of different answers and have to decide who you trust.
I’m glad you posted this; I bookmark all FR threads about appliances.
We’ve been married for 18 years, and we’re still using the Whirlpool washer and dryer my husband bought before we met. They’re both going strong. At some point I’ll need advice on a purchase myself, but I know two things...I’m not buying a front loader nor an HE machine.
We still have the old top loading washer. Many comments on this thread and many like it over the years have scared me away from the front loaders.
But 3 years ago we did go to the Sears Outlet to buy a high end refrigerator. Bottom freezer - three door.
The one we liked the best was of course the LG. In that price range was a Kenmore model made by LG, and it was cheaper, but you could tell it has fewer features.
We bought the LG. Very happy with it.
I believe F-P was recently bought by a Chinese corporation. Hope they're smart enough to keep the quality from sliding.
What ratio do you use?
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