Washing Machine

[Bird]

I've got an 18 year old Kenmore washer and dryer. We sold the house and the new people did not ask for them so they will make the move with us. The are getting worn out so they will be replaced in the next year or so. No complaints.
I do appreciate the experiences in this thread and I am making notes for when we go shopping for the replacements. Any thoughts on frontloaders, or those all in one units? I like the idea of saving space.

When you say "all in one units", I'm not sure which ones you're referring to, but RVs frequently have a front loader that is both washer and dryer. In fact, the one we had in our motorhome could be set to do the washing, then go directly to the drying without human interference. That was the only feature that did not work well. The spin cycle after washing would make clothes stick to the drum, so they'd stay stuck during the drying cycle. However, if you just set it to do the wash, as you would with any other washer, then pull all the clothes loose from the sides of the drum, shut the door again, and set it for the dry cycle, it worked great. One of my brothers still has that type. As you can see here, Camping World sells them for RV and of course you could use them in a house, if you wished.

The other all in one unit I'm familiar with was the Kenmore we had in the fifth-wheel RV. It was a tall unit, top load wash, then move the clothes up to the dryer at the top. As you can see here, Sears has them in both 24" and 27" models.

Both kinds worked very well. The only drawback is the small size and high price. But of course there are other larger "stackable" models, too.

 

[Tig]

Thanks for the info Bird. It's the one where the clothes wash and dry in the same machine that I was interested in. I've heard that they wrinkle the clothes. I've never heard the stick to the drum part but I bet that's why the wrinkles are so bad. Does that make sense from what you have seen?

 

[Bird]

Thanks for the info Bird. It's the one where the clothes wash and dry in the same machine that I was interested in. I've heard that they wrinkle the clothes. I've never heard the stick to the drum part but I bet that's why the wrinkles are so bad. Does that make sense from what you have seen?

That's it exactly. If you take them out and put them back, fluff them up a bit, or simply make sure none are stuck to the drum after washing, they don't wrinkle anymore than in any other washer and dryer.

 

[Tig]

Well Bird you just proved that TBN folks are smarter than the average consumer. I've read dozens of reviews about the wrinkle machines and no one figured out what you just told us. Thanks.

 

[zzvyb6]

The Neptune series is the reason Maytag went out of business. The front loaders had electrical, electronic and mechanical problems all related to using the wrong soap. You MUST use the e-soap type. My tub bearings went bad and I bought new ones from an internet bearing supplier that had them here in 2 days. Maytag says you can't change them but I got it done easily.

I bought a large capacity Whirlpool top loader and its works great for us lazy launderers. Its a set it and forget it with a water saving feature. Because I was using the wrong soap, the rinse sensor ran the Maytag too much and left soapy residue (stinky clothes and the soap got past the bearing seal). Those who bought the stands for the front loaders to save their backs had the machines vibrate off the stands and all around the room. The Whirlpool requires the e-soap, too.

There's a forum filled with Maytag repair ideas. I bought parts from a Maytag supplier on eBay. Belt, wax-motor, and a hose clip. Maytag has a parts list and picture breakdown on their website for all their machines.

 

[GreenWannabe]

I bought my new bride a Maytag washer the first Christmas we were married, 1967. It lasted 27 years, and the dryer we bought 5 years later was still going when we replaced both. When we sold our home in 2001 and moved into our RV, we sold the replacement pair to a friend, who is still running them - now 14 years old. I'm sure I couldn't find anything to last so long now. In the same 27 years, my MIL bought 3 Sears washers - but she told me I was spoiling my wife!! I think I was smart, my total costs were much less than hers.

In the RV, I had a Splendide (Italian job) washer/dryer. My experience with it was that clothes would stick to the drum if I used too much detergent; if I used what the washer instruction book said, I rarely had a problem sticking. The worst was cotton towels. Only problem I ever had with it was the dryer motor gave out.

When I retired this year, I had to sell the RV - couldn't afford to retire and pay the RV payments too - and after my wife died four years ago, I was basically only living in it and not using it for travel as long as I was working. Oh well.

 

[Bird]

The front loaders had electrical, electronic and mechanical problems all related to using the wrong soap. You MUST use the e-soap type.

Well, I don't think the problems were ALL relatd to the wrong soap. We did use nothing but the e-soap, as recommended, and they say a circuit board that cost more than the machine cost new went bad. It wasn't a Neptune, but was a Maytag front loader.

My experience with it was that clothes would stick to the drum if I used too much detergent; if I used what the washer instruction book said, I rarely had a problem sticking. The worst was cotton towels.

My wife swears she used the recommended amount, and you might be right about the towels, but we had it happen with clothes, too. However, after a couple of times, she just quit setting it to run the dryer automatically after washing.

 

[pennwalk]

My 6 year old Kenmore HE3 front loader just quit working last week Sears service ain't what you would call great and it is very expensive. They took one crack at it Tuesday. Unfortunately as soon as I tried to use it to test it out it still wasn't working. I had to call back 3 times to get an appointment Friday. The english wasn't that strong at the service center. I hope it won't turn out to be one of the parts that cost more to replace than the machine is worth. I think the computer is over $700. I found out the local service guys are United Steel Workers which may account for why it cost $150 in labor to install a $50 part that didn't fix the washer. I can't imagine why sears is in trouble. Just in case you were thinking about a Kenmore.

Chris

 

[Bird]

Chris, the Sears service tech who was here said he recommends no one buy any washer/dryer with digital displays unless they either maintain a service contract or have a pile of money handy for frequent replacement.

 

[pennwalk]

Bird,

When we were having trouble with our last washer (Kenmore Calypso nightmare) the Sears service tech told me the same thing. I hope I don't wish I had listened to him.

Chris