CR Announces Death of Traditional Toploaders

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Washertalk, I don't think that is the case with my BIL. His mother overloaded all the time and nothing they wore smelled good until he got married and I had to help my sister do the laundry, first with DD Whirlpool and now with HE4t. He looks like "Oscar" who you occasionally see selling HP conputers on QVC, kind of short, dark hair, and Italian. He, and my sister often complain that because he is in good shape and works out and does a lot of athletic things (even played high school football) that a lot of men want to look at him. I told him if he didn't want that to happen he should get fat and wear sloppy clothes and maybe they would leave him alone. My sister says "I am worried about him not just with another woman but what do I do about another man?!"? Anyway she has never been happier. Actually, he didn't want to buy a new washer but she talked him into it (I coached her too).
 
Sing it girls~
I know what boys like.
I know what guys want.
I know what boys need.
Boys need.... me.

...that a lot of men want to look at him.

In my ethnic there is a saying "eye" it all you want. "Handing" it (touching it) is another thing.

What do I do about another man?!"?
Well, start with buying youself some new tools, then stop shaving.

(Ducks and runs)

 
NeptuneBob, well, if your BIL gained weight (or became stocky/muscular) and became real "casual and comfortable" with his clothing he'd have ME to worry about checking him out!!! LOL grrrr
 
There are several postive aspects...

Traditional top loaders may show up more as heavily discounted items, as the deadline draws near. Mfg's will obviously try to shift production over to machines they can still sell, but...

As people replace their top loaders with front loaders, the top loaders are often given away or sold for a song. Check out Craig's list in your area for opportunities.

As noted, the higher number of FL's in use will mean that the mfg's will be forced to issue more low sudsing/HE type detergents. Regular detergents still outnumber HE detergents on all the store shelves I've checked, even in the trendy SF Bay Area, but I think that may gradually change. Maybe even the elusive Ariel Baja Espuma product will wend its way north to local mercados.

While it is theoretically possible to add a water heater to a traditional top loader, the much greater water volume (20 gallons of wash water vs 5 gals for a front loader) will mean it will take forever for a 110 volt heating element to get that water anything above tepid. Nearly all mfg's now offer FL models that have a "sanitary" cycle, which means the water is heated to 140F or more. That's more than enough to get clothes very clean (the 130F max in my Neptune is more than adequate as well).

Perhaps we may even see a return to 220 volt combo washer/dryers (ala the old Bendix) that are able to heat the water quickly and efficiently, albeit with electricity rather than gas/oil. And maybe even some smart mfg will release a 220 volt fl washer for those with gas dryers. Wouldn't that be nice?
 
front loaders

Frigidaire is now contracting with GE again.GE has a front loading washer and matching dryer that Frigidaire is manufacturing for them.They have the square doors with the washer having the round window.They are priced at $599/washer and $499ELEC./$569GAS dryer!These are listed as having a "king size"capacity and at those prices,I think they're going to fly!
 
Bob, I'm with appnut re: your BIL. If he let himself go a little, he'd have a lot more formidable men to worry about because we bear/cub types don't waste our time with fanfare and formalities do we app?
 
I have always been a big fan of Consumer Reports. Although I do agree with Oxydolfan1 who wrote: "Ditto on cars. They are obsessed with models from about six automakers, and not all they glitter is gold....time and time again, I've taken exception to their evaluations after testing ."

For example: CU will downgrade some American cars because of noisy, unrefined engines. But when the same thing happens with a buzzy vibrating car from one of their favored automakers it's is never mentioned. (nor is the fact that their automatic transmissions, even though smooth shifting, often whine loudly like an old schoolbus as they go through their gears. How unrefined is that?!)

However, in defense of CU, I still find them an informative and unique source of information regarding products and other consumer issues. For me, their editorial comments are of the greater value, giving an experiential compliment to the black and white data of the ratings.
 
rinso--- I like CR, too. I rarely buy what's at the top of their lists, but I like having a reference point other than the salesman's. I just bought a TL Frigidaire washer which scored very poorly in their ratings, but I like it. It's not the best washer out there, but it still uses the old 50's Franklin transmission design, so the tub indexes.

On the other hand, I bought their highest scoring vacuum (a Kenmore) and it's everything they said it would be!
 

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