Front Load Washing Machines

[RichZ]

My wife and I were looking at front load washing machines at several places. So far, the Samsung models appear to have the features that my wife wants. We want to keep it under $900.

Anyone have any experience with front load washing machines. Anyone know anything about the Samsungs in particular?

We've looked at Lowes, Home Depot and Best Buy, so far. Any suggestions on other places to look?

Has anyone had any experience with the Energy StarTax Credits? How does that work?

Thanks!!!

 

[om21braz]

Judging by posts on GardenWeb and minimal experience from friends with FL washers, I declined purchasing one. I went to a local dealer and told them my wife and I want nothing other than 2 speeds, basic features - a unit we can purchase and forget about. They pointed one brand above all others, regardless of price - Speed Queen. About $600 bucks and a day later, I brought a top-load one home. Very pleased two years in.

 

[studor]

SWMBO bought LG's last fall from the son of a friend who happens to deal in appliances. About a month after the friends' son visited and he said that given the vibration we were experiencing (I did not think it was any worse than our old topload Maytag) we should switch to Samsung. Our laundry room is on the second floor so less vibration is a good idea. Any way he arranged to come and pick up the LG's and put in the Samsungs for no additional charge so we took him up on the offer. The Samsungs are terrific and are quiet and wash and dry the clothes well. The one brand I would not buy again is Whirlpool /Maytag -- their customer service which I had to use on every appliance in the house within the first three years of service is painfull. They handle complaints like you are asking for peace in the middle east --JMHO

 

[timswi]

Good info..SWMBO want's front loaders too...Samsung makes good stuff. Always had good luck with them.

The SIL has front loaders due to low water volume in their well. It solved their clothes washing problems in terms of water useage. They are very happy.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

We purchased a Frigidaire Gallery / Kenmore set with FL washer about 10 years ago. Except for one thing they have done the job with no problems. DW likes them. About 3 years ago (after the warranty) a bearing that holds the spinning drum failed. Service Tech told us this is quite common with FL machines and is usually caused by using regular detergent that makes too many suds. Supposedly there is a special soap for FL types. Don't know for sure if this is true or just BS to explain the failure. DW is now using the different soap.

Anyway, if you go FL, it might be worth asking the question regarding type of detergent.

 

[zzvyb6]

Front load washers, as well as the newer top loaders, require the 'e' type soaps because there is a soap sensor in the rince line that detects when the clothes are rinced enough. The older soaps don't work with the rince sensor. You need to use a LOT less soap with the new machines, too. And, most users don't know how much to use in any kind of machine, so theres' been a bad rap out on them.

I had one, didn't like the hassle of bending down to add or remove clothes. Yes, you can get a cabinet to put them on ($250). Yes you new one for the dryer,too, otherwise the neighbors will snicker. No they don't stay put so you have to bolt them down. My latest machine is a top loader, huge drum for rugs and hockey equippment, has a quick wash feature, a tablespoon of soap, stays put. Wish they had a top load dryer. I didn't buy because I needed the furniture look either. White by default is just fine.

 

[_RaT_]

My only comment is that its usually best to keep the door cracked open when not in use to let it dry out. They get a little smelly. This does not happen with the top loader. I have never had my clothes come out cleaner than you get with a front loader. Watch the amount and type of soap you use.

My wife and I were looking at front load washing machines at several places. So far, the Samsung models appear to have the features that my wife wants. We want to keep it under $900.

Anyone have any experience with front load washing machines. Anyone know anything about the Samsungs in particular?

We've looked at Lowes, Home Depot and Best Buy, so far. Any suggestions on other places to look?

Has anyone had any experience with the Energy StarTax Credits? How does that work?

Thanks!!!

 

[tulenutn2o]

Why are you looking at front loader? I have 2. I often wonder how many ways marketing gurus are going to come up with to sling water through clothes or clothes through water. What good does a front loader do if your wife(mine) continually uses the extra rinse and max extract and heavy soil modes? Doesn't save a darn thing. I have went back to my 35 year old maytag top load that I can repair myself for next to nothing. These new units are POS! For the record my old company had Samsung making machines for them and they were junk. All front loads will eventually have mold if you dont clean/dry out areas in the door. Top loaders do do. Where there is moisture,there is possibiltiy to mold.Save your money.My $.02

 

[deepNdirt]

I bought my wife the Whirlpool Duet 3 years ago, she loves them more than me i think, Have been very good energy saving units, although they were not purchased for the price you are suggesting to spend, was almost double that amount, ....... I must say though the washer has one kickback..... with the water saver built into the washer is not really good feature, you see I do quite a lot of sweating and soak my clothing,.. in the beginning I would just throw my cloths on into the washer, the washer would then detect and add just enough water ( water saving feature ) to wash the cloths, although it doesn't realize that most of the water in the machine is sweat from the clothing and would ad very little water.... in a since it would be washing the cloths in 60% sweat & 40% water instead of 100% water, needless to say our cloths would come out from the dryer what we thought were being cleaned but it was the fabric softener that put in the clean smell, wouldn't take but me to do a little sweating to re-activate bad oder, So we learn that I would have to first dry my sweaty cloths in the sun and then put them in the washer.... yes a lot of trouble for such a wonderful feature of saving water..... Perhaps someone in the design department has learn of this problem and has resolved it on the newer models, so if possible the machines you are looking at ask if this is a feature that can be turn off & on?.....

 

[jinman]

Judging by posts on GardenWeb and minimal experience from friends with FL washers, I declined purchasing one. I went to a local dealer and told them my wife and I want nothing other than 2 speeds, basic features - a unit we can purchase and forget about. They pointed one brand above all others, regardless of price - Speed Queen. About $600 bucks and a day later, I brought a top-load one home. Very pleased two years in.

I bought a Speed Queen (really Amana) about 8 years ago. I bought it because it had a stainless steel tub. It had a tub seal leak in the first year that I owned it and I got it replaced under warranty. Now, fast forward 7-1/2 years and the same seal started leaking again. I bought a used front-load Bosch from a used appliance dealer and asked him if I could trade in the Speed Queen. He said, "No thanks! I can't sell them." Oh well, off it goes to the metal crusher. Perhaps my washer was a fluke and they all don't have seal problems, but mine does/did. It was a great washer otherwise and I loved the stainless steel tub. I hope you have much better luck with yours.

 

[charlz]

My wife bought LG's from Home Depot about 2 years ago. So far so good. She did buy the extended warranty. Front loaders are really intended to go on concrete floors, they vibrate quite a bit more than top loaders. When the washer goes to spin I can feel it in my mouse/keyboard on the second floor if I am on the computer

 

[dmccarty]

We bought a first generation Whirlpool Front Loader back around 2000 or so. We have been happy with it until recently....

The goods:
- Saved us at least $25-50 a month on the water bill. We lived in the city back then and we would spend over $100 a month on water. We did not water the lawn. Using 30 gallons of water to do a load of clothes vs 5-10 adds up quickly. And water prices went up after we left. While we have a well now with good water flow it still costs money to get water.

- With two kids the washer runs constantly even with its large size. The old top loader was not keeping up with the kids 10 years ago and they were just babies. The front loader does more clothes.

- The spin cycle really dries out the clothes. But you had better have the washer on a secure floor. Having it on a second floor could be interesting. Our washer has been in two houses that were built on slabs. So the spin cycle is not an issue for us.

- We like the front loading washer and dryer doors. We find it much easier to reach directly into the machines instead of over and then scrounging around in the washer/dryer to find clothes.

- Cleans the clothes better than our old top loader.

- Could handle the bed spreads which the top loader could not.

The Bads:

- The washer has been acting up lately. It has been getting louder on spin and sometimes not all of the water is out of the drum.

- We had a repair man visit. $1,400 to fix! We are not fixing since a new machine is less than $1,000. The problems are the bearing, a nut holding the drum, the seal, the pump and little of this and that.

- One thing the repair guy said that sent me off. Well there was more than one thing. Was that there are parts of the washer that rust. The washer has stainless steel for the drum but some of the pieces are not SS, rust and cause problems. There are some managers that need to be flogged.

Google whatever brand and model you look at buying and see what turns up. There are very similar problems on most/all of the brands.

Only getting 10 years out of a washer is disgusting. But I will be danged if I know which manufactuer to buy from next. We have Maytag appliances in the kitchen and we have had problems with the dishwasher and fridge. They are five years old. If the fridge's replacement compressor lasts as long as the original we will be lucky to get eight years out of the fridge.

I THINK the Samsung was on our replacement list for the clothes washer. I was looking at Fridges at Lowes quite a while ago and the GE and Samsung fridges were the same. Except in price. GE was a couple hundred dollars cheaper for the exact same model.

We will buy another front loader when the one we have finally blows up. I just don't know which brand.

Later,
Dan

 

[mjarrels]

Just like sun roofs on cars... It's going to leak, just a matter of time.

mark

 

[showcattle]

We bought a first generation Whirlpool Front Loader back around 2000 or so. We have been happy with it until recently....

The goods:
- Saved us at least $25-50 a month on the water bill. We lived in the city back then and we would spend over $100 a month on water. We did not water the lawn. Using 30 gallons of water to do a load of clothes vs 5-10 adds up quickly. And water prices went up after we left. While we have a well now with good water flow it still costs money to get water.

- With two kids the washer runs constantly even with its large size. The old top loader was not keeping up with the kids 10 years ago and they were just babies. The front loader does more clothes.

- The spin cycle really dries out the clothes. But you had better have the washer on a secure floor. Having it on a second floor could be interesting. Our washer has been in two houses that were built on slabs. So the spin cycle is not an issue for us.

- We like the front loading washer and dryer doors. We find it much easier to reach directly into the machines instead of over and then scrounging around in the washer/dryer to find clothes.

- Cleans the clothes better than our old top loader.

- Could handle the bed spreads which the top loader could not.

The Bads:

- The washer has been acting up lately. It has been getting louder on spin and sometimes not all of the water is out of the drum.

- We had a repair man visit. $1,400 to fix! We are not fixing since a new machine is less than $1,000. The problems are the bearing, a nut holding the drum, the seal, the pump and little of this and that.

- One thing the repair guy said that sent me off. Well there was more than one thing. Was that there are parts of the washer that rust. The washer has stainless steel for the drum but some of the pieces are not SS, rust and cause problems. There are some managers that need to be flogged.

Google whatever brand and model you look at buying and see what turns up. There are very similar problems on most/all of the brands.

Only getting 10 years out of a washer is disgusting. But I will be danged if I know which manufactuer to buy from next. We have Maytag appliances in the kitchen and we have had problems with the dishwasher and fridge. They are five years old. If the fridge's replacement compressor lasts as long as the original we will be lucky to get eight years out of the fridge.

I THINK the Samsung was on our replacement list for the clothes washer. I was looking at Fridges at Lowes quite a while ago and the GE and Samsung fridges were the same. Except in price. GE was a couple hundred dollars cheaper for the exact same model.

We will buy another front loader when the one we have finally blows up. I just don't know which brand.

Later,
Dan

Our Neptune did the exact same thing at ten years. Sounded like a jet taking off. Independent repairman said the part was over $600 and on indefinite backorder. Wife stood in line at 4:00 am at Sears on Black Friday and bought a Samsung front loader for $999 for the pair (including dryer). It's not the fanciest Samsung, but is a lot quieter than the Maytag. Does a nice job.

 

[_RaT_]

So lets see, you have two front loaders, a top loader. Seems either your needs are extensive or your really into washing machines or perhaps your house is so big that you can easily fit in 3. Front loaders have been around for a very long time. The large commercial ones are front loaders. Its not so much that there are new ideas on how to slap dirty items around in water although the top loads have had some different methods lately, its mostly that the front loads use considerably less water and without a doubt, can get clothes cleaner with less wear and tear on the clothes. I notice their cycles tend to be longer. Your right about mold, even our top loader gets the lid left open until things air out.

Why are you looking at front loader? I have 2. I often wonder how many ways marketing gurus are going to come up with to sling water through clothes or clothes through water. What good does a front loader do if your wife(mine) continually uses the extra rinse and max extract and heavy soil modes? Doesn't save a darn thing. I have went back to my 35 year old maytag top load that I can repair myself for next to nothing. These new units are POS! For the record my old company had Samsung making machines for them and they were junk. All front loads will eventually have mold if you dont clean/dry out areas in the door. Top loaders do do. Where there is moisture,there is possibiltiy to mold.Save your money.My $.02

 

[_RaT_]

I know several folks that purchased the Neptune's and had nothing but major problems. The door seal tore easily and then that meant water everywhere.

Our Neptune did the exact same thing at ten years. Sounded like a jet taking off. Independent repairman said the part was over $600 and on indefinite backorder. Wife stood in line at 4:00 am at Sears on Black Friday and bought a Samsung front loader for $999 for the pair (including dryer). It's not the fanciest Samsung, but is a lot quieter than the Maytag. Does a nice job.

 

[jwstewar]

Since my wife and I have been married (soon to be 11 years), we have had 3 washers & 2 dryers. First W&D we bought used. Used the washer a couple of years and it crapped out. Bought a new top load top-of-the-line Kenmore. Worked OK, except one hose kept coming loose that was used to run water to push the fabric softener and bleach to the clothes. Had Sears out a couple of times under warranty to "fix" it. Then I worked on it a couple of times and finally figured out what was going on and I fixed it correctly. Dry had to have a new heating element put in. While doing it also put new rollers and belt. Both the new Kenmore and the used dryer then last until the house burned.

We then bought a pair of FL Samsung. It has the vibration reduction in it and it is really quiet. When it starts to spin and it senses vibration it will immediately slow and then maybe stop and switch direction. Pretty slick how it works - and by is it quiet. Can't tell if either one is running except by looking at the pretty control panel. Really gets the clothes dry, dryer has to run a lot less than the old dryer. Only issue we have is with the bleach dispenser. It doesn't disperse the bleach correctly and it will ruin clothes. We have had them out a couple of times to replace stuff but it still does it. Monica has pretty much quit using bleach. Other than that, they have both worked well. Now almost 2 1/2 years of use.

 

[BobRip]

So lets see, you have two front loaders, a top loader. Seems either your needs are extensive or your really into washing machines or perhaps your house is so big that you can easily fit in 3. Front loaders have been around for a very long time. The large commercial ones are front loaders. Its not so much that there are new ideas on how to slap dirty items around in water although the top loads have had some different methods lately, its mostly that the front loads use considerably less water and without a doubt, can get clothes cleaner with less wear and tear on the clothes. I notice their cycles tend to be longer. Your right about mold, even our top loader gets the lid left open until things air out.

We have a Maytag and the mold issue is a problem. We leave the door open when not in use (a nice knee knocker and ugly thing), but occasionally someone will leave it shut. Then we have to run through a 3 hour procedure to remove the mold (start cycle, stop cycle, hand fill with hot water as high as possible, add bleach, run cycle for several minutes, let it sit for 3 hours, and then finish cycle). We do this about twice a year it seems. My wife is upset and will never buy another energy star product. It does clean well, but this mold is a real nuisance. All front loaders seem to have the problem and leaving the door open blocks your walk area.

 

[_RaT_]

We just leave ours cracked.

We have a Maytag and the mold issue is a problem. We leave the door open when not in use (a nice knee knocker and ugly thing), but occasionally someone will leave it shut. Then we have to run through a 3 hour procedure to remove the mold (start cycle, stop cycle, hand fill with hot water as high as possible, add bleach, run cycle for several minutes, let it sit for 3 hours, and then finish cycle). We do this about twice a year it seems. My wife is upset and will never buy another energy star product. It does clean well, but this mold is a real nuisance. All front loaders seem to have the problem and leaving the door open blocks your walk area.

 

[Egon]

We inherited our washing machine from my Grandparents many years ago and its still working fine. It's a top loader with copper tub. No spin dry but has rollers for that. Never had a bit of trouble with it!:thumbsup::thumbsup: