Front Load Washing Machines

[jinman]

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:

Hey Egon! Is this what they mean by a front-load washer?

 

[beppington]

We're on our 2nd one ... actually had the 1st one long enough to wear it out ... & my better half wouldn't have anything else, swears by them. She did extensive/ exhaustive research into the them before we bought the 1st one & then again on the 2nd.

They're supposedly more efficient, using less water, & clean better, slinging the clothes down into the pool of water at the bottom of the tub, rather than pulling/ forcing/ stretching clothing ... so, easier on clothes, too.

This one is an LG, & she really likes that thing. It does seem to clean my tractor-soiled clothes very well. :thumbsup:

Me, the top loader was fine, but if she wants the front loader(s), fine, as long as I can eventually get a new Kubota

Edit: Our laundry room is only about 14' from our living room, so well within ear-shot ... & we actually have to hear the little song the LG plays when the load's done to know that it's actually done. Very quiet to say the least.

 

[Egon]

Yeah. that's a front loader!:thumbsup:

Can't see having much trouble with one of them.:laughing:

 

[2manyrocks]

I bought a Kenmore gallery front loader about 2004, and by 2009 the spider arm assembly was broken. The parts cost more than the machine was worth. Junked it and went back to a top loader.

Should have kept my 1981-82 Maytag which is probably still running in someone's house somewhere.

 

[rekees4300]

Anyone know anything about the Samsungs in particular?

Consumer Reports recommends this one

 

[Bird]

We bought a small (apartment size?) Maytag front loader washer & dryer in 2005. The washer died just after the 3 year warranty expired and it would have cost more to fix than it than the machine cost new. So in 2008, we went back to a top loader.

 

[The Haymaker]

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.

Why would you send a perfectly good appliance to the crusher? There are for more entertaining... errr..... better uses for these old machines!

YouTube - Tannerite gas range #2.wmv

YouTube - Tannerite VS Dryer

YouTube - Gas Range vs Tannerite

YouTube - Major Appliance Disposal

Oh yeah, and keep the door of the front load open. It gets very musty smelling and will transfer to your clothes.

 

[studor]

It seems that most of the people in this thread that have had front loader problems had them with Whirlpool/Maytag machines. I have recently talked to two appliance salesmen working for different organizations who have said that it is only in the last year that the returned unit and complaints on machines for Maytag/Whirlpool have started to improve. As I said in a previous post, the Maytag appliances in my house have had so many problems that the neighbours probably think SWMBO is dating the repair man
Friends and relatives have GE, LG, Bosch and Samsung frontloaders that they are happy with -- others have Whirlpool/Maytag

Almost forgot -- Jim and Egon -- that is an original top loader -just try using it standing in front of it! and while infrequent, a breakdown usually means complete replacement

 

[Bird]

It seems that most of the people in this thread that have had front loader problems had them with Whirlpool/Maytag machines.

I guess you know that Maytag went downhill, was about to go bankrupt I heard, then tried to sell the company to a Chinese company, and supposedly (according to one news article I saw, and one washer/dryer service man) our USA government talked Whirlpool into buying Maytag a couple of years ago. The service man I talked to said it didn't matter which brand you buy, but that he advised anyone who buys one with the digital displays to keep a service contract in force or have a pocketful of money.

He did say that Whirlpool products, including Kenmore, were the easiest to work on.

 

[ToadHill]

Never buy a Maytag!!! Remember that Maytag repairman that was so lonely? Well he's found all the company he needs in my basement. Brand new top of the line machine, twice within the first year the machine would quit in the middle of a load and them you can't get the door open until the machine pumps out the water, but guess what, it won't pump if it won't run.

It sits in a corner of the basement and the old top load used washer we bought second hand has been running just fine.

 

[_RaT_]

I have only heard horror stories about Maytag anymore. They once had some of the best washers made.

Never buy a Maytag!!! Remember that Maytag repairman that was so lonely? Well he's found all the company he needs in my basement. Brand new top of the line machine, twice within the first year the machine would quit in the middle of a load and them you can't get the door open until the machine pumps out the water, but guess what, it won't pump if it won't run.

It sits in a corner of the basement and the old top load used washer we bought second hand has been running just fine.

 

[tulenutn2o]

All Maytag is now is a Whirlpool product that is made, who knows where with the cheapest stuff money can buy. Maytag went by by several years back. I know, I worked there for 15 years and watched them dismantle it.

 

[Alan L.]

We have never owned front loads, the pair of top loads we have now, with manual controls are about 25 years old. Have to call the repair guy and spend maybe $75 every few years.

My daughter has front loads and seems to like them OK, but she has to keep the washer door open to prevent mold. Her mom says it stinks, she wouldn't want one.

The biggest problem I see is that they cost sometimes twice as much as the top load and apparently last half as long.

I care about water savings much the same as I care about a water saving toilet. I don't like the government telling me my toilet has to flush with a cup of water (so you have to flush 4 or 5 times), I don't like my shower head to be restricted to save water, and I don't want to wash a pile of clothes in a bucket of water. Some day the feds will force us to use whatever uses less water so I say latch on to the top loads before you can't buy one any more.

But thats just me.

 

[_RaT_]

We always leave our top load lid open for a day or so. They will develop a smell as well albeit not as much as the front load. I believe the front load door gasket is the culprit. We have a front load at our cabin. One thing I must say about front loads is they will indeed get your clothes cleaner. Consumer guide reports this as well, one of the few times I can actually wholeheartedly agree with the magazine.

We have never owned front loads, the pair of top loads we have now, with manual controls are about 25 years old. Have to call the repair guy and spend maybe $75 every few years.

My daughter has front loads and seems to like them OK, but she has to keep the washer door open to prevent mold. Her mom says it stinks, she wouldn't want one.

The biggest problem I see is that they cost sometimes twice as much as the top load and apparently last half as long.

I care about water savings much the same as I care about a water saving toilet. I don't like the government telling me my toilet has to flush with a cup of water (so you have to flush 4 or 5 times), I don't like my shower head to be restricted to save water, and I don't want to wash a pile of clothes in a bucket of water. Some day the feds will force us to use whatever uses less water so I say latch on to the top loads before you can't buy one any more.

But thats just me.

 

[roamerr]

Samsung had the "Silver Care". Really works for killing bacteria even in cold water.

Wish they had a top load dryer.
Top load dryer is available from Fisher Paykel. Matches their top load high efficiency washers. We have the FP washer and it really spins the clothes fast so the dryer takes only a few minutes. Only problem is very few repair places know how to work on them. The repairs are simple but most repair shops are not used to servo motors (no transmission needed). We are very happy with the Fisher Paykel and would likely buy another if ever needed.

 

[CurlyDave]

My neighbor has a Fisher Paykel dishwasher -- the kind with 2 half sized dishwashers one on top of the other. All I can say is keep away from that brand.

I have repaired it 6 or 7 times in the past 3 years, she has had the repair guy out 3 or 4 times, and it breaks down within days of each repair.

She hand washes her dishes and uses it as a drying rack...

 

[_RaT_]

Your right Dave, kind of the affordable brand but that's about as far as it goes. If you have one and its doing well, congratulations.

My neighbor has a Fisher Paykel dishwasher -- the kind with 2 half sized dishwashers one on top of the other. All I can say is keep away from that brand.

I have repaired it 6 or 7 times in the past 3 years, she has had the repair guy out 3 or 4 times, and it breaks down within days of each repair.

She hand washes her dishes and uses it as a drying rack...