Washing Machine

[Bill Lewis]

Be careful with the front loaders, we're seeing a lot of bearing problems with them, don't quite believe they'll wash whatever you can jam in them.
They might, but not for long.
We're seeing Frigidare units going out in less than two years, other are a bit longer, but for what you pay for one, they should last a lot longer.
Al

We bought the Frigidare units when they first introduced and front loaders were just becoming popular (again). So this is probably going on 10 years or so without any problems. The wife would like to have a larger door, but we won't even think about replacing these units until we begin experiencing problems. Maybe we've been lucky so far.
So Al, what's the word about these LG units? The LG brand is relatively new, but it is cropping up everywhere from appliances to cell phones, to TV's. What's known about LG?

[Al Willits]

""""""""""
So Al, what's the word about these LG units? The LG brand is relatively new, but it is cropping up everywhere from appliances to cell phones, to TV's. What's known about LG?
""""""""""
OK, first off I wouldn't say every front loader you buy is gonna self destruct 2 days after you hook it up, what I will say is, in our exprience the front loaders (and that's all of the major brands) are having some problems, and that's more than what would be expected.
The front loader design is an excellent idea, unfornately the front loader you see at your local launderymat is a lot more washer than the home version.
I don't think the manufactur's have quite worked the bugs out of the home version yet.

LG included, btw steaming might be a good feature, but the unit does not generate the amount of steam that the TV commericals show, this was even told to us by a factory rep at a trainning session, seems to work, but don't expect loads of steam..

Another note while I'm on a roll, the maytag top loader you buy today is probably not the one that our folks raved about, maytag has two basic top load models, one uses one v-belt, the other two, it's the two belt model ya want, if ya can still find it.
The single belt model is much cheaper built.

Also my thoughts on these are just that, my thoughts.
But they come with 30+ years in the HVAC/Appliance repair industry.
But, I wouldn't be so foolish as to think I couldn't be wrong.
Your expriences may differ.

Al

[Glenn Clabo]

Al,
In that I own one...can you tell me what "there's a major lawsuit means"? I believe you are talking about the units that were bought before April of 04 right? "This lawsuit alleges that owners of Maytag® Neptune® Front-Load Washing Machines have claims concerning the door latch, wax motor, motor control and related circuit board failures, causing the machines to function improperly and users to experience odor, mold and mildew. " Is this the one...? If it is it has been settled and we sure haven't had any problems with that. I will defer to your experience and hope that we don't have any bearing issues...by being careful about over laoding it.

[Don Bullock]

My wife loves her Maytag. With all our dogs she does a lot of washing each week, including many heavy blankets during the winter. When we have puppies it seems that the washer is going 24 hrs. a day.

[Lee Schierer]

We have had a Kenmore front loader for a couple of years. LOML loves it, Shee can load up what she wants and it comes out clean and dryer than ever. The model number we have is 417.44042400. I don't think it was the HT3 model, but was the next one down in price. It definitely uses less water and detergent than the old one we had for 25 years.

[Jim Becker]

I'm planning on going with front-loaders when the new laundry room in the addition comes into being...if the budget allows.

[Al Willits]

Glenn, that'd be it, haven't heard of enough improvements in latter models as to I'd go buy one.
May have missed some though, takes a bit before we get a track record on stuff we fix.

Like I said, doesn't mean every one out there is gonna self destruct, and I for one would not try to convice you/anyone on what you should or shouldn't buy, I'm just telling ya my exprience with them, take it for what its worth.
Al

[Chuck Saunders]

Had a Maytag - fairly early model, ran well for a few years then the door latch problem and the good money after bad seemed a poor choice. I kept it for washing shop rags and stuff. bought a Duet, life is good. Fisher-Kaypel looks pretty cool, their top load dryer looks like it is the size of a 55 gallon drum. Maytag should be getting better or at least on par with Whirlpool since it is the same company.
Chuck

[Art Mulder]

My wife and I tried a front loader. One from Europe somewhere... Asco or Asko...

Supposedly very efficient... sips water, makes it's own hot water (220V), very little soap, etc., etc.

NUTS to that. A full load was 1/2 half that of our new Maytag. It ran for two hours!!!!

Wow, Mitchell, sounds like you got a lemon.

Just to provide an alternate viewpoint... 8 years ago we also sprung for a european front-loading washing machine. Ours was a basic AEG model. Spins to 800rpm. Yes, it uses 220. Yes, it preheats the water itself (doesn't even USE the house hot water, only has a cold hookup). And yes, the cycles are almost 2hrs

However, we have not had any of the other problems that Mitchell did. About 6 months ago the door latch broke (7 years of kids slamming it... ) and I located the part importer and got some new door parts shipped out. So I have maybe $50-$75 in parts that I put into it. No other breakdowns at all. As for volume... that is a trickier one. We find that you can stuff an awful lot into it. Certainly enough to fill the dryer. But I don't know how you measure. Compared to current washers, I dunno, it seems to me that the current washers on the market are bigger than the ones that were there 8-10 years ago.

The cycle time is a pain in the neck, I admit. You can't sit down and do 4 loads in a morning and get all your wash done. We just change the way we do things. Most mornings we throw in a load and forget about it. Round about noon my wife has one of the kids move it from the washer to a dryer. It's just a different way of doing things.

Keep in mind that back in 1998/99 when we bought our washer, there were almost no domestic front loaders on the market. So if you wanted a water saving, tumble washer (gentler on clothes than an agitator), there just weren't many options.

If I was buying today, I probably would look at the domestic models - like the Kenmore that Karl mentioned. There is a lot more choice now on the market with front loaders. But as long as the washer keeps working, we're content.

...art

[Al Willits]

Most front loaders (all that I know of) and the Fisher Paykel have very high spin speeds, so choice of dryer may not be that important, wife seems to think dry times on our Fisher are beter than half shorter than the old top load whirlpool we had, we went with a appox $325 Kitchenaid mid priced dryer intead of the more expensive upper end models/options.
The Fisher dryer is a nice looking unit, haven't heard anything good or bad yet, but they are a bit spendy.
fwiw
Al

[Jim Bell]

Bought the Maytag front loader about 9yrs ago. It was absolutely the worst. The good news is I bought it at Sears and after 18 mos and 2 washers with around 10 service calls Sears actually refunded my money with an apology. I bought the Frigidaire set and haven't had problem one. They fit under the counter so we have a place to fold clothes and room for cabinets above.

[Dan Mages]

I've had a GE front load washer for the past 4 years and have never had a problem with it. I do agree that the 1200rpm spin cycle does create a bit of noise, so put it behind a door if possible.

Dan

[John A. Williams]

We've got the Whirlpool Duets. Absolutly no problems with them at all. We have a family of five.
John

[Mitchell Andrus]

Thier whole washer/dryer product line has been discontinued.

[Russ Filtz]

I was looking at one, but saw too many posts about bad odor/mildew caused by the convoluted door seal and poor drainage. Water just sits there. People were leaving their doors open, using towels to dry the seal every time, spraying bleach, etc.!

On a top load I do leave the lid open from time to time, but on the front loader, I had no room to do that. Seller on my new house left a big top load for free, so that answered my problem!