I bought several new appliances over the last couple of years. Two things I’ve noticed...
One is that all appliances are basically the same regardless of brand. Literally the parts inside interchange for the most part, only the pretty parts are produced by the OEM.
The other is that, generally speaking, they’re mechanically fine, other than maybe cheap plastic and thin metal, but they all have complicated control boards that are the first things to break, and the replacements cost almost as much as a new appliance.
If someone with a little bit of electronics knowledge was able to build a little control board that was customizable and programmable for the various devices out there, most people could keep their appliances working just about indefinitely or until they got tired of the looks.
That leads me to believe that the manufacturers could make appliances that last, but they choose not to. Funny how this planned obsolescence, which generates literally tons of waste every year, is ignored by the environazis who are concentrating on plastic straws instead.
Who the heck wants wifi on their washer? And a cellphone app? Silly! Expensive and it will break down. Dumb dumb dumb!
Also, if you have ever looked at the circuit boards in modern appliances, they are dirt cheap to make and not designed for reliability.
The newer, energy friendly, appliances are a lot more complicated in how they operate and tend to have lighter mechanisms and tend to work harder too. A washer will spin cycle longer to remove more water with the thought that drying time will be less.
Appliance makers have missed the mark by a mile.
They need to rethink their business model. Until then we will not buy American!
Here are the requirements....
1. Lasts 25 years. But then GE would sell fewer dishwashers and make less money. Planned obsolescence by selling crap.
2. Simple basic and reliable. No bells and whistles. We can figure out how to twist knobs and push buttons. We are smarter than your average chimp so treat us like it.
3. Robust parts. See #1 above.
4. Nice to have — energy efficient. But not at the sacrifice of quality and reliability.
Remember that that newer broken down washer will end up in the landfill sooner. So make them reliable and >>>save the environment!<<<