LG Laundry equipment

rockyridgefarm · Jun 13, 2006

My Kenmore Elite (Duet) stuff is preety much toast. Got hit by lightning, and it is time for it to go.

I figured I would check all over, and looked at lots that were suggested. I am about to go for an LG setup.

They have some really cool things like a DC motor integrated into the drum, to minimize parts, add better balance and SUPER quiet. (the motor has a 7 year warranty, the drum is lifetime...)

But the coolest thing is that there is actually a way to get to the trap filter. Anyone that has a Duet or other front loader who hasn't found theirs yet is in for a surprise. It is hidden behind a panel and there is no way to clean it without pouring water all over. It is actually considered no user serviced.

But LG actually gives a door and drin to allow it to be cleaned. I have two ground up discharge pumps from my duet, if anybody wants them for research.

Anybody actually had one of these?

gordon21 · Jun 13, 2006

The wife wanted one of the new high speed, energy efficient front loader washers. I was all set to bite the bullet and drop $900 on a new front loader washer, even though the old style was $700 for a washer/dryer set. I ended up buying a new top loader with all the same energy features (high speed-no agitator, etc)as the front loader. The top loader can be opened in mid cycle and another item tossed in. With a front loader, the door locks itself and will not open under any conditions for 45 minutes until it is completely done. We constantly throw additional items in the washer during the first few minutes it is running. All the new high speed washers are extremely quiet and the clothes come out far drier than the old style washers. This cuts down on the drying time considerably.

Bird · Jun 14, 2006

A year ago, we bought the small, compact Maytag front loader washer and dryer from Sears. And with all the new electronics, I did something I normally don't do and that was to buy their 3 year extended warranty. That warranty includes an annual "preventive maintenance" service call if you want to call them. So I did that last month to see what the preventive maintenance entailed. As I expected, it's just to see that everything is reasonably clean and working. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Everything, except one little item, was OK. The spindle on the back of the dryer drum is turning in a bushing on the rear of the cabinet instead of a bearing, and that bushing was badly worn. My wife said it just started squeaking the day before the service man showed up. He had to order the part and it took about 10 days to get here, but we were able to continue using it in the meantime. I don't know what the part would have cost if I'd had to pay for it, but it's a simple two minute job to replace it. Of course I let them do it. The first service man, who ordered the part, said it would come directly here; that he would schedule another service call in 10 days and to call them to move it up if the part arrived sooner. The second service call was a different person, but I couldn't have asked for any better service from either one.

Now I had read a news article awhile back that a government owned company in China was trying to buy Maytag, so I asked one of these service men about that. He said that our government got involved and Whirlpool bid and bought Maytag; i.e., Maytag is now owned by Whirlpool.

Both of the service men, who now work on all brands, said that Whirlpool's own brand name, and the Kenmores made by Whirlpool, are the most reliable washers and dryers and that they are the easiest to work on if they do need repairs.

Were they right? I don't know . . . so you can take that information for what it's worth. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

rockyridgefarm · Jun 14, 2006

I have the Kenmore units. They are great machines. Mine was hit by lightning, so it is really messed up.

What I lke about the LG is the motor design. At Home Depot, they have them setup to run and they are amazingly quiet, and don't vibrate. My unit is like a helicopter with issues.

The drain trap filter is a biggy though. I cannot understand why every brand hides it behind a panel, and makes it a nightmare to maintain. As I said, I have gone through two drain pumps, so I would rather be able to get to that filter.

But, as you said, the Whirlppol units are very solid.

dmp437 · Jun 14, 2006

What about repairing the Whirlpools? My two year old Whirlpool range got smoked by a voltage issue (broken neutral on the incoming tri-plex) and I was able to replace the control panel for $148 (bought on the Internet) and it works as good as new. That's one of the benefits of getting Kenmore/Whirlpool is universal parts availability.
Have you investigated the parts situation for LG products? Home Cheapo doesn't sell or stock parts. Also, if you're shopping LG check out Best Buy for price, they carry them also.

PitbullMidwest · Jun 14, 2006

( Now I had read a news article awhile back that a government owned company in China was trying to buy Maytag, so I asked one of these service men about that. He said that our government got involved and Whirlpool bid and bought Maytag; i.e., Maytag is now owned by Whirlpool.
)

Whirlpool may own them but Maytag appliances are now built in Mexico. They closed their Galesburg IL factory in 2004.

rockyridgefarm · Jun 14, 2006

Computer control module - ~200
Motor Control - ~150
Discharge pump - ~150
fix vibration - ~???

I considered filing an insurance claim, but feel like it is best only to go that route with real catastrophies. I had a total loss on a house once, don't need little claims, too.

By the way my Kenmore made by Whirlpool supposedly made in Germany says Made in Italy all over inside.

LG parts seem to be readily available, their customer service has been great.

timb · Jun 14, 2006

Mike - really dumb question - who the heck IS "LG". They seemed to have come out of nowhere - I assumed that it was simply a new moniker post some merger - but I can't ever to seem to come up with any background on them.

Has anyone ever owned a "Staber"? Interesting approach, but I've seen very little owner feedback about them.

Staber Top Load / Horizontal User-repairable washing machines

EarPlug · Jun 14, 2006

We have had the LG set for about a year now. No problems with either unit. They are very quiet and seem to do a very good juob with cleaning. It uses less soap and water which is good for the septic sysem.

Plan on either purchasing their riser box or building your own. I built a stand to raise the units about 20 inches. Makes it much easier to view the controls and loading and unloading.

Plan on having the washer on the left and the dryer on the right. The doors are hinged for that setup.

Jack

Doc_Bob · Jun 14, 2006

LG is a huge South Korean company that makes anything and everything. When I was stationed in South Korea, they were everywhere in manufacturing.
Bob

PitbullMidwest · Jun 14, 2006

( LG is a huge South Korean company that makes anything and everything )

You got that right. I read somewhere that LG Electronics is a subsidiary of South Korea's second largest corporation, LG Group. Other subsidiaries build ag tractors (including the Montana and some Mahindra compacts) and they even own a company that produces silverware. Like most Asian companies they are very diversified.

rockyridgefarm · Jun 14, 2006

LG is Lucky Goldstar - Kumsung. Goldstar has been a brand in the US for quite a while. LG has been pretty upscale, more so than they were as Goldstar. I don't think there was any merger, this is more of a Datsun is now Nissan thing...

They and Samsung are the biggies - Daewoo is another big Korean player.

My laundry is set up that I have to use front loaders. We like that format.

Maka · Jun 14, 2006

Timb, LG is a 92 billion annual comapny with 130,000 employees world wide. They do petro chemical, agricultural (tractors), electronics (computer monitors, cell phones, goldstar air conditioners, flat screen TV;s), chemical (Tropicana coco butter soap), appliances etc.....

Their agricultural division manufactures the Montana tractors, many Farmtrac tractors, some Tafe and now it looks like some Landini. They have been around since the 40's I believe.

The LG is accompanied by the saying "Life's Good" but originally was Lucky Goldstar. They win more awards at the Consumer Electronics show than any other electronics companies as of late and manufacture excellent products.

Thanks,
Maka

NoMo · Jun 14, 2006

I was wondering if Mike was looking at an LG washer/dryer because he mistook the "Montana" green for JD green. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

rockyridgefarm · Jun 15, 2006

You DWEEB! You found me out!!!!

Even I know better than to re-paint them green!

InlineDieselFan · Jun 16, 2006

I know several people (seven) that have the LG machines and all are happy and have had no problems. At least as of a year ago when we bought our Whirlpools, the boss lady liked them better for whatever reason.

I have no idea about a lint screen and have only done two or three loads ever.

steve

BTW the best thing I ever did was ruin an expensive sweater of hers about 15 years ago and I got out of doing laundry since then!!!!

anthonyk · Jun 20, 2006

You are exactly right about the placement. I've had mine about 2 years now and they're great. Definitely gotta put the washer on the left though, as it makes it a cinch to move clothes from the washer to the dryer.

anthony

Bird · Jun 20, 2006

"Definitely gotta put the washer on the left though"

When we bought our current machines, the washer was on the left and the doors opened the right direction to make that simple. Then we bought this house and had to put the washer on the right and dryer on the left because of the location of the water, electric, drain, and exhaust. Much less convenient for my wife, but I've never been able to figure any practical way to change it.

midlf · Jun 20, 2006

Bird - get extension hoses for the water, drain and vent. Then put the washer and dryer anywhere you want.

Bird · Jun 20, 2006

I realize it's possible, but I don't think practical. The dryer vent is already longer than I think is best, although another 3' probably wouldn't make a lot of difference. I'd also have use extension cords for the electricity, and I really don't know how much, if any, difference it would make in the distance the washer had to pump the water out.