Advice on purchasing a new Duet

[kenmore58]

HELP! My partner Eric has decided it's time to purchase a new washing machine. He's got his eye on the Whirlpool Duet, but doesn't know whether to get the standard model or the more expensive fancier model.

Any input on which model to purchase and/or the Duet in general would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ron

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: My Opinion:

Hi! Ron and Eric, 1st of all, what Brand{s} are the Washer and Dryer in question and how old are they that are being looked into possibly being replaced?

What would be your necessary needs/wants of Features on the replacement Washer and Dryer?

I would think about what the needs/wants are of Features and then go from there.

Ron, what is your opinion of replacement, given your collecting background, if any?

Good Luck with what you end up doing/getting, let us all know what you work out.

Peace and keep the Vintage Laundry going, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[kenmore58]

Steve,

Thanks for the reply. The washer being replaced is aproximately 20 years old. It is a Hotpoint from the '80's. It recently developed a problem where it would not stop filling up after beginning to agitate, sometimes. So, he is now setting a timer for 20 minutes which brings him to the rinse cycle and he runs downstairs to check it. Plus, although he shares my vintage appliance admiration, he needs a new machine to use every day.

Perhaps a small vintage appliance collection will happen in the future. Anyway, he's pretty much hooked on the Duet. Just looking for comments for or against on that machine or any other input as well.

Ron

 

[harry]

Duet Washer/Dryet

Just purchased the Duet duet. The washer and dryer with all the bells and whistle. Fantastic units. Stacked in the same space as the washer/dryer I removed. Space was important, I have little to spare in my house. Very happy with the gas dryer, completes a load of 15 or so bath towels in about 30 min. Nice units.
Harry

 

[frigilux]

Ron---I've been looking at purchasing a new Duet, too. After a lot of consideration, I like the TOL 9400 the best, mainly because it has a 1200 rpm spin speed. (The 9300 and 9150 have 1000, which is certainly not bad, but my Frigidaire spins at nearly that I want to step up.)

The 9400 and 9300 have built-in water heaters if that's an attraction for you.

The 9400 lists at $1399, the 9300 at $1199 and the 9150 at $999.

My nephew and his wife have the 9150 on pedestals and they love them!

Let us know which one you wind up getting. I think you've made a wise choice going with the Duet.

 

[frigilux]

Here are lists of features for the three big Duets. Notice that the 9400 also has auto-advance prewash and soak cycles. Another selling point for me. And you'll be able to find them cheaper than the list prices I mentioned in my last post. Happy shopping!

 

[frigilux]

Here are the 9300's features:

 

[frigilux]

And finally, the 9150's features:

 

[kenmore58]

Hey Frigilux,

Thanks for all the info. Eric can spend some time perusing all the info. and making his final decision.

Since Eric and I are back together (and I didn't splash bleach all over this clothes -- ha, ha), I guess we'll go together to pick the machine out for him.

I'll keep you posted.

Ron

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Hotpoint Washer:

Hey! Ron, I'm assuming that the Washer does have a Pressure Fill, instead of a Timed Fill. Have you by chance checked the Water Valve? It might just need to have the Screens cleaned out and possibly behind the Water control Rubber Stopper inside, that is operated by the Solenoids. If anything, you could if necessary replace the Water Valve.

Hopefully you are going to keep the Hotpoint Washer, if not at least offer it to someone in the Club.

As indicated before, whatever your needs are of Features, I would certainly go with a Duet Set, or the Kenmore "Hetty's" in whichever Models have the Features I would be looking for.

Good Luck with both the new Washer & Dryer and Vintage Washer Repair.

Peace and Great Duet/Hetty Laundry Cleaning, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[westtexman]

Not to be an elitist . .

But I would recommend getting the 9400. I believe that the internal heater is essential to good cleaning in a FL machine. I no longer have to use Chlorine Bleach to get my whites white. My clothes last longer, they look better and I feel like they are MUCH cleaner. Just one man's opinion here.

Bryan

 

[appnut]

Ron, I totally agree with Bryan. A front loader with the supplemental heater is the only way to go. The sanitary cycle heats water to 153 degrees and with y'all up north, helps during the4 winter with the cooler environment of the house (which impacts component temps as well as water temps being a bit unstable, despite auto temp control too. How far away is the water heater from the washer? Bob

 

[gansky1]

I have the non-heater model that I found a sales-war price on a couple of years ago. I love it and although the heater would be nice at times, I really don't miss it all that much. I paid $619.88 for my washer and $449.88 for the Duet gas dryer - the set for the regular retail price of the washer alone. There have been times I've wished for a couple more options here and there, but for that price, I'm a very willing dial-pusher to get the cycles I need!

 

[frigilux]

Wow, you got that pair at an amazing price, Greg. I would have snatched that up, too. I wouldn't miss an internal water heater because I'm washing everything in temp-controlled cold water these days. Besides, I've had FL'ers without a heater for YEARS and always had excellent cleaning results. I keep my water heater at 140-degrees, so it's plenty hot on its own.

 

[appnut]

Greg keeps his at 160 and it's right next to this washer. Not everyone can be "extravagant" with their water heater settings.

 

[gansky1]

Ohhhhhhhh, don't get me started on that POS Whirlpool water heater!

 

[frigilux]

Oh, come ON, Greg! You can't leave us hanging with a teaser like that. Tell us all about your POS Whirlpool water heater.

 

[lightedcontrols]

My Advice....

Don't.

 

[bobofhollywood]

kenmore elites - whirlpool duets

I have a pair of kenmore elite, which are just like the whirlpool duets..and although i love them..they're fussy.

They almost always run longer than they estimate they're goin' to, and I've already had to replace the water pump on mine, even though it's not even 4 years old yet.

I do love the built in water heater. And, I think that the cleaning ability of these machines is hard to beat.

Also...please be careful only to take advise from folks who have actual experience with the appliances you're asking about..and not somebody who just guesses and conjectures about every post he sees..and you know who I mean.

That kind of superflous blah blah blah is really not the kind of advice you're seeking.

Holla from Hollywood.

Bob