Our washer is indicating it's nearing end of economic life at 13 years old. I am looking for some first hand recommendations for a front loading machine brand and maybe model with the emphasis on reliability. Consistent cleaning also seems to be an issue from reading internet reviews/recommendations. Consistent and good cleaning is nice. Internet reviews run the range of great to trash for the same machine. We are not looking for top of the line. Regular, permanent press, delicate and presoak cycles with temperature selection, spin speed and 2nd rinse seem to be a basic machine and would nearly match our present machine.
Anyone have good luck with any particular brand/model?
We have GE Profile.
I'd recommend it.
I have read bad things about any of the Whirlpool produced brands. Their frontloaders have sketchy performance and reliability as well as mold issues.
Purchased a Maytag commercial from Hahn appliance about 15 months ago. Very happy with the machine and very, very happy with the service I've received from Hahn on not only that purchase but a subsequent deep freeze I purchased from them about six months ago.
Quote from: rdj on February 07, 2014, 10:52:34 AM
Purchased a Maytag commercial from Hahn appliance about 15 months ago. Very happy with the machine and very, very happy with the service I've received from Hahn on not only that purchase but a subsequent deep freeze I purchased from them about six months ago.
I will second that.
Hahn has been great to deal with both on the purchase and on service. I did something I rarely do when I bought new appliances a couple of years ago: bought the extended warranty. I've had them out for what looked like it would be a major issue on the dishwasher (turns out it wasn't) and some ghost characters that started showing up on the LED display on the range. Changed out the circuit board, no questions asked and they were very quick about it.
Buy local!
I was already planning to go to Hahn's. Among other things, their delivery person will take away the old machines.
Quote from: Red Arrow on February 07, 2014, 11:48:37 AM
Among other things, their delivery person will take away the old machines.
That, in itself, is a huge bonus.
Sometimes you can buy a commerical washer, those are the kind that last & last, back in the 1990's a coin laundry joint in Columbus, Ohio was re-modeling and up dating their place so they sold all their old machines for a few bucks. If a machine can take the abuse that a commerical washer takes day & night and still work, think how long they will last in a good home well cared for.
Quote from: Conan71 on February 07, 2014, 12:04:44 PM
That, in itself, is a huge bonus.
Not really- they take your old washers and sell them at a scrap yard for good money. I'd rather have that money myself.. Put your old washer in the back of your pickup truck and take it to the scrap place yourself. Last month I replaced the radiator in my truck took the old one to the scrap yard and got $5.00 for it.
Quote from: sauerkraut on February 07, 2014, 02:13:32 PM
Not really- they take your old washers and sell them at a scrap yard for good money. I'd rather have that money myself.. Put your old washer in the back of your pickup truck and take it to the scrap place yourself. Last month I replaced the radiator in my truck took the old one to the scrap yard and got $5.00 for it.
No
Quote from: sauerkraut on February 07, 2014, 02:13:32 PM
Not really- they take your old washers and sell them at a scrap yard for good money. I'd rather have that money myself.. Put your old washer in the back of your pickup truck and take it to the scrap place yourself. Last month I replaced the radiator in my truck took the old one to the scrap yard and got $5.00 for it.
That's what...about 8 miles of gas in your truck?
Quote from: sauerkraut on February 07, 2014, 02:13:32 PM
Not really- they take your old washers and sell them at a scrap yard for good money. I'd rather have that money myself.. Put your old washer in the back of your pickup truck and take it to the scrap place yourself. Last month I replaced the radiator in my truck took the old one to the scrap yard and got $5.00 for it.
I don't own a pick up. I suppose I could call Paul Tay to haul them away on his bicycle.
As far as a commercial washer in my house, you think I should put a coin changer in the laundry room or just keep a shitload of quarters lying around?
"Aw damn! A toll Road!"
(http://www.ladyofthecake.com/mel/saddles/images/toll.jpg)
I've so far had good luck with my Frigidaire brand front loader, which turns 6 later this year. It's one of the vast number of Electrolux-made relabels. The only problem I've had with it so far is that the plastic door latch broke. $3, a philips head screwdriver and 5 minutes later that was fixed. It took longer to find it on the parts diagram so I could order it than it did to replace it.
With all front loaders, making sure the machine is precisely level is important to longevity. The high spin speed puts a lot of stress on the suspension if it's out of level. The other user error type thing that tends to cause problems is using too much soap, causing suds to get up into places they shouldn't and causing corrosion. Mold complaints are also usually a user error situation. If you leave the door and soap dispenser slightly ajar after use to ensure that any remaining moisture evaporates.
Quote from: sauerkraut on February 07, 2014, 02:10:01 PM
Sometimes you can buy a commerical washer, those are the kind that last & last, back in the 1990's a coin laundry joint in Columbus, Ohio was re-modeling and up dating their place so they sold all their old machines for a few bucks.
But you will spend so much money in quarters...
Quote from: sauerkraut on February 07, 2014, 02:13:32 PM
Not really- they take your old washers and sell them at a scrap yard for good money. I'd rather have that money myself.. Put your old washer in the back of your pickup truck and take it to the scrap place yourself. Last month I replaced the radiator in my truck took the old one to the scrap yard and got $5.00 for it.
I don't own a pickup truck. I don't own a utility trailer. I don't want an old washer sitting in my back yard. Taking an old radiator to the scrap yard would probably cost me $6.00 to get $5.00. If someone takes my old washer to the salvage yard and gets a few bucks, fine. It's gone.
Quote from: nathanm on February 07, 2014, 06:11:20 PM
I've so far had good luck with my Frigidaire brand front loader, which turns 6 later this year. It's one of the vast number of Electrolux-made relabels. The only problem I've had with it so far is that the plastic door latch broke. $3, a philips head screwdriver and 5 minutes later that was fixed. It took longer to find it on the parts diagram so I could order it than it did to replace it.
With all front loaders, making sure the machine is precisely level is important to longevity. The high spin speed puts a lot of stress on the suspension if it's out of level. The other user error type thing that tends to cause problems is using too much soap, causing suds to get up into places they shouldn't and causing corrosion. Mold complaints are also usually a user error situation. If you leave the door and soap dispenser slightly ajar after use to ensure that any remaining moisture evaporates.
Our present Frigidaire (Gallery) was made by White Industries. It has mostly worked fine except for the detergent/bleach dispenser which quit after about a year. I just throw the detergent and Oxiclean in the bottom of the tub. Now the timer is acting up, the counterweights are not always doing their things and the rotating tub is sagging and will soon wear through the seal to the door. I am not complaining since it has lasted 13 years. I just don't know if the present generation will do as well. Mold, etc, has not been a problem as we have always left the washer door open a bit after the wash has been moved to the dryer.
Quote from: sauerkraut on February 07, 2014, 02:10:01 PM
Sometimes you can buy a commerical washer, those are the kind that last & last, back in the 1990's a coin laundry joint in Columbus, Ohio was re-modeling and up dating their place so they sold all their old machines for a few bucks. If a machine can take the abuse that a commerical washer takes day & night and still work, think how long they will last in a good home well cared for.
I've used laundromats. I don't want their used machines, even if they were free.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on February 07, 2014, 06:38:24 PM
But you will spend so much money in quarters...
But you get to keep the quarters.
;D
Quote from: Red Arrow on February 07, 2014, 09:40:35 PM
I've used laundromats. I don't want their used machines, even if they were free.
Dear God, I never even thought of all the foreign DNA I'd be inviting into my home. Being OCD, I mean CDO really sucks!
Quote from: Conan71 on February 08, 2014, 12:37:21 AM
Dear God, I never even thought of all the foreign DNA I'd be inviting into my home. Being OCD, I mean CDO really sucks!
You know, kraut would buy a two owner used car for his wife. A Ford Crown Vic that was owned by a police department, and then a taxi company. Talk about DNA mix.
Quote from: sauerkraut on February 07, 2014, 02:13:32 PM
Not really- they take your old washers and sell them at a scrap yard for good money. I'd rather have that money myself.. Put your old washer in the back of your pickup truck and take it to the scrap place yourself. Last month I replaced the radiator in my truck took the old one to the scrap yard and got $5.00 for it.
$5? I know who is buying the next round of drinks!
Quote from: nathanm on February 07, 2014, 06:11:20 PM
I've so far had good luck with my Frigidaire brand front loader, which turns 6 later this year. It's one of the vast number of Electrolux-made relabels. The only problem I've had with it so far is that the plastic door latch broke. $3, a philips head screwdriver and 5 minutes later that was fixed. It took longer to find it on the parts diagram so I could order it than it did to replace it.
With all front loaders, making sure the machine is precisely level is important to longevity. The high spin speed puts a lot of stress on the suspension if it's out of level. The other user error type thing that tends to cause problems is using too much soap, causing suds to get up into places they shouldn't and causing corrosion. Mold complaints are also usually a user error situation. If you leave the door and soap dispenser slightly ajar after use to ensure that any remaining moisture evaporates.
Our Frigidaire front loader is going on 8 years and hanging in there. That said...I wouldn't buy another one. Originally purchased from Hahn...and this was one of the rare times that I purchased an extended warranty. Glad I did as we've had it repaired 3-4 times over the first couple of years. Still acts up from time to time and won't fully drain. Had to repair the matching dryer a couple of times...luckily I was able to do it myself.
Just a curious, but serious question, do all front loading washers keep water in the drum after use? The one I'm using is a Maytag Neptune stack unit, and there always seems to be water left after use.
Quote from: dbacksfan 2.0 on February 09, 2014, 04:31:30 AM
Just a curious, but serious question, do all front loading washers keep water in the drum after use? The one I'm using is a Maytag Neptune stack unit, and there always seems to be water left after use.
I understand that the tub surrounding the drum may not completely be drained but you shouldn't be seeing water in the drum which holds your laundry.
Quote from: charky on February 09, 2014, 03:28:09 AM
Our Frigidaire front loader is going on 8 years and hanging in there. That said...I wouldn't buy another one. Originally purchased from Hahn...and this was one of the rare times that I purchased an extended warranty. Glad I did as we've had it repaired 3-4 times over the first couple of years. Still acts up from time to time and won't fully drain. Had to repair the matching dryer a couple of times...luckily I was able to do it myself.
I had to put a "kit" in our matching dryer too. The drum was sagging since the gliding supports were worn out. The edges of things would get caught between the drum and stationary part and get friction burned. I thoroughly cleaned all the stuck lint etc at the same time and the dryer has worked well for the last few years.
Quote from: Red Arrow on February 09, 2014, 10:02:32 AM
I understand that the tub surrounding the drum may not completely be drained but you shouldn't be seeing water in the drum which holds your laundry.
Yeah it's the outer drum, not the actual area where the clothes go. The biggest problem for me is that the washer only gets used about every 7 to 10 days, and just doesn't smell right some times. I just have a thing about water that sits in something for that long without being moved around.
Quote from: dbacksfan 2.0 on February 09, 2014, 11:38:03 AM
Yeah it's the outer drum, not the actual area where the clothes go. The biggest problem for me is that the washer only gets used about every 7 to 10 days, and just doesn't smell right some times. I just have a thing about water that sits in something for that long without being moved around.
Running a batch of washing machine cleaner may help.
We don't have that problem as we do the laundry every day to keep it from becoming a big chore all at once.
Quote from: dbacksfan 2.0 on February 09, 2014, 04:31:30 AM
Just a curious, but serious question, do all front loading washers keep water in the drum after use? The one I'm using is a Maytag Neptune stack unit, and there always seems to be water left after use.
Mine does not. Sometimes water will collect in the door seal if the drain hole gets clogged by something, but otherwise no.
charky, you know who the actual manufacturer was that year? (Like Sears' Kenmore appliances, Frigidaire appliances are white labeled and may not be made by the same manufacturer every year)
Quote from: nathanm on February 09, 2014, 04:10:04 PM
Mine does not. Sometimes water will collect in the door seal if the drain hole gets clogged by something, but otherwise no.
charky, you know who the actual manufacturer was that year? (Like Sears' Kenmore appliances, Frigidaire appliances are white labeled and may not be made by the same manufacturer every year)
The labels in our 2001 Frigidaire Gallery washer/dryer set just indicates manufactured
for Frigidaire one of the White Consolidated Industries. It does not say "by" any particular company.
QuoteFrom 1919 to 1979, the company was owned by General Motors. During that period, it was first a subsidiary of Delco-Light and was later an independent division, based in Dayton, Ohio. Frigidaire was sold to White Sewing Machine Company 1979, which was in turn purchased by Electrolux, its current parent, in 1986.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frigidaire
Call an appliance repair company and see what they recommend.......
I own a Samsung. I like all the pretty lights.
Quote from: guido911 on February 09, 2014, 11:54:17 PM
I own a Samsung. I like all the pretty lights.
The salesman I talked with at Hahn said he mostly sells Samsung and Electrolux. Looking at the installation info in the internet, the Samsung requires 5.9" behind the washer while the Electrolux and Frigidaire do not. I couldn't find a number for the LG lines. That extra space behind the Samsung would require me to move the utility sink to allow the washer door to fully open.
Quote from: guido911 on February 09, 2014, 11:54:17 PM
I own a Samsung. I like all the pretty lights.
(http://catmacros.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/shiny_cat.jpg)
Quote from: guido911 on February 09, 2014, 11:54:17 PM
I own a Samsung. I like all the pretty lights.
Plus 1 on the Samsung. We've had a front loader washer and dryer pair for a few years now with zero issues and they clean and dry very well. Per earlier posts, you need to keep the washer door open to allow it to dry out between washings.
Happy Frigidaire Affinity user. I think the need to keep the door open between washes is universal to the front-load concept, but even so, we occasionally need to Scotch-Brite out black mold that shows up in the fold of the gasket at the door.
Lots of pre-sets, but I miss being able to perform completely manual tasks, like letting something sit and soak.
Also like how it rotates the load to calculate how much water to use, and we save energy on drying because the spin is very thorough.
Quote from: patric on February 10, 2014, 01:35:01 PM
Happy Frigidaire Affinity user. I think the need to keep the door open between washes is universal to the front-load concept, but even so, we occasionally need to Scotch-Brite out black mold that shows up in the fold of the gasket at the door.
Lots of pre-sets, but I miss being able to perform completely manual tasks, like letting something sit and soak.
Also like how it rotates the load to calculate how much water to use, and we save energy on drying because the spin is very thorough.
Cup of bleach on "basket clean" cycle takes care of any issues. Do it about every 2 to 3 weeks.
Quote from: rebound on February 10, 2014, 10:54:00 AM
Plus 1 on the Samsung. We've had a front loader washer and dryer pair for a few years now with zero issues and they clean and dry very well. Per earlier posts, you need to keep the washer door open to allow it to dry out between washings.
Plus 2 on Samsung...pretty lights, pretty sounds, no problems for 6 years, got the pedestals for the drawer space and lessen the need to bend over so much. As noted, we keep the washer door open to dry out as well as the soap tray (which is very easy to remove in order to dump excess water out)...
Quote from: patric on February 10, 2014, 01:35:01 PM
Lots of pre-sets, but I miss being able to perform completely manual tasks, like letting something sit and soak.
You should be able to start a wash cycle, let it add water then slosh about a few rotations then turn it off. One advantage of the old clunky mechanical timer is that you can restart from where you stopped. The electronic timer may need to start from zero but since the machine knows the water level you should be OK. I would watch it the first time though.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on February 07, 2014, 06:38:24 PM
But you will spend so much money in quarters...
Well, try this ~ ya can think of the quarters you put in there as an investment or as a "piggy Bank", then on a rainy day you can open up the quarter box and go on a spending spree. Or you can do the common sense thing and by-pass the quarter changer thing, or keep the changer coin box open and start your washer each time using the same quarters over & over, or you can buy a residential washer and have it break down on ya as soon as the warranty expires. My vote (if I was a voter) would be for the commercial washer.
Quote from: sauerkraut on February 12, 2014, 12:59:44 PM
Well, try this ~ ya can think of the quarters you put in there as an investment or as a "piggy Bank", then on a rainy day you can open up the quarter box and go on a spending spree. Or you can do the common sense thing and by-pass the quarter changer thing, or keep the changer coin box open and start your washer each time using the same quarters over & over, or you can buy a residential washer and have it break down on ya as soon as the warranty expires.
You are a thinking man.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on February 12, 2014, 01:11:42 PM
You are a thinking man.
No, I'm quite certain he's Forrest Gump.
Quote from: Conan71 on February 12, 2014, 04:30:00 PM
No, I'm quite certain he's Forrest Gump.
Oh wait, you said GUMP...
Quote from: sauerkraut on February 12, 2014, 12:59:44 PM
or you can buy a residential washer and have it break down on ya as soon as the warranty expires
Or you could just not cheap out and buy the worst-built thing in the store solely because it's the least expensive. If longevity/reliability was my sole concern, I'd get a top load Speed Queen, not some laundromat castoff.