Can you believe this? I know you've seen this before.
Exploding washers... SMH.
- Thread starter gelaundry4ever
- Start date
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Yes, I believe it. The machine is a Samsung but any brand may be subject to such damage when run incorrectly.
I've noticed these news reports I've seen don't provide details on what items were being washed when the situation occurred and which cycle settings ... consumer liability and all that.
One of the comments is concerned that the report doesn't state whether the damaged washer is gas or electric, on point that an electric washer is highly unlikely to explode but a gas leak would be very dangerous.
hard to believe
I find this news story hard to believe. Nobody mentioned what they were washing or if they used the proper cycles.
I find this news story hard to believe. Nobody mentioned what they were washing or if they used the proper cycles.
Jerome, are you not aware that Samsung issued a safety recall several years ago, which was not so much a recall as a field service revision that, as I recall: 1) added fasteners to secure the machine top to the cabinet as a defense against the top coming off during a catastrophic spin failure and 2) placed an adhesive overlay on the control panel to relabel the delicate cycle as also being for Waterproof/Bulky items along with a consumer warning not to run such items on any other cycle.
samsung
I am very well aware what Samsung did when they recalled them. Yet most people insist on buying them. I wouldn't recommend Samsung to my best friend or my worst enemy or any of them. Had these people bought Speed Queen Laundry, none of this would've happened to them.
I am very well aware what Samsung did when they recalled them. Yet most people insist on buying them. I wouldn't recommend Samsung to my best friend or my worst enemy or any of them. Had these people bought Speed Queen Laundry, none of this would've happened to them.
panasonicvac
Well-known member
Actually that machine is an LG. Believe it's the model WT7800CW.
Self-destructing top load washers
This has been an occasional problem with modern top load washers that spin it very high speeds. Most times somebody put some waterproof bedding in the machine and water gets inside the plastic barriers, and when the machine reaches a high enough speed, sometimes the plastic will rupture suddenly releasing the water, and then the machine is violently out of balance at a high speed and result is pretty bad, it’s about like dropping a cinderblock in a machine that’s spinning at full speed.
Even a vintage Frigidaire unit unimatic could be destroyed by this type of thing or heavily damaged. there was a case with the Frigidaire, where the machine violently self-destructed, where the balance ring self-destructed.
It doesn’t seem to be much of a problem with front loading washers because front loading washers have a superior washing action that allows water to tumble back out of things before it gets into the spin cycle, it’s just one more reason not to buy a top loading washer anymore.
John
This has been an occasional problem with modern top load washers that spin it very high speeds. Most times somebody put some waterproof bedding in the machine and water gets inside the plastic barriers, and when the machine reaches a high enough speed, sometimes the plastic will rupture suddenly releasing the water, and then the machine is violently out of balance at a high speed and result is pretty bad, it’s about like dropping a cinderblock in a machine that’s spinning at full speed.
Even a vintage Frigidaire unit unimatic could be destroyed by this type of thing or heavily damaged. there was a case with the Frigidaire, where the machine violently self-destructed, where the balance ring self-destructed.
It doesn’t seem to be much of a problem with front loading washers because front loading washers have a superior washing action that allows water to tumble back out of things before it gets into the spin cycle, it’s just one more reason not to buy a top loading washer anymore.
John
Pah! Call that an explosion! 
In the early 90's the mains filter on my parents washing machine detonated while I was in the kitchen, about 12 feet or so away from the washing machine. The shockwave felt like I'd been slapped really hard across the side of my face and ear, which stung like hell and I was stone deaf for over a minute, followed by ringing in my ears.
The mains filter was a large electrolytic capacitor and inductors sealed in an aluminium can with a thick nylon plug crimped in the end with the spade connectors set into it, and no weak spot to vent safely, so it would have built up a lot of pressure before rupturing.
Admittedly, it didn't do any significant damage the machine, there was no bottom and the back panel was quite flimsy plastic so the case didn't contain the blast. It just filled the room and machine with a cloud of white smoke and shredded capacitor foil and popped the plastic back off some of the screws.
In the early 90's the mains filter on my parents washing machine detonated while I was in the kitchen, about 12 feet or so away from the washing machine. The shockwave felt like I'd been slapped really hard across the side of my face and ear, which stung like hell and I was stone deaf for over a minute, followed by ringing in my ears.
The mains filter was a large electrolytic capacitor and inductors sealed in an aluminium can with a thick nylon plug crimped in the end with the spade connectors set into it, and no weak spot to vent safely, so it would have built up a lot of pressure before rupturing.
Admittedly, it didn't do any significant damage the machine, there was no bottom and the back panel was quite flimsy plastic so the case didn't contain the blast. It just filled the room and machine with a cloud of white smoke and shredded capacitor foil and popped the plastic back off some of the screws.
Front loaders "exploding"
There have been some incidents with front loading machines in the Uk of the drum seam failing while spinning at high rpm smashing the machine apart and breaking through worktops.
There was also a recall on one make due to the glass doors exploding and flinging glass across the room, after children were injured.
There have been some incidents with front loading machines in the Uk of the drum seam failing while spinning at high rpm smashing the machine apart and breaking through worktops.
There was also a recall on one make due to the glass doors exploding and flinging glass across the room, after children were injured.
mark_wpduet
Well-known member
I'm not gonna lie....Most of the time when my FL washer reaches it's highest spin speed 1000 RPM, I'm never in the laundry room while it's happening... But sometimes when I'm actually in the laundry room folding clothes while it's happening, I'm always thinking in the back of my mind... "Please don't explode" (especially since it's getting very old) even though the sound is smooth as silk most of the time when it's spinning I just keep thinking something's got to fail on this thing any moment
rinso
Well-known member
One thing I never do is leave an appliance running and then leave the house. I'm not a "set it and forget it" type of person anyway. I've had a modern GE dishwasher catch fire while my late husband and I were sleeping. So, I won't use the delay cycle and go to bed either.
Never a good idea to leave any appliance unattended, along with washing items that become extremely heavy when saturated with water or wash items that are essentially water proof. Even if my Maytag A606 has an off balance sensor, never leave it unattended when washing blankets that could potentially cause it to go off balance. Common sense and preventative measures goes a long way in life.
I often set heavy/large items (blankets, comforters, pillows) for a additional spin at maximum 1,010 RPM, after an initial spin at low speed and rearrangement.
to rinso
I agree with you. I'd watch the machine not just because of the wash action, but to also make sure things don't go stupid and out of whack.
I agree with you. I'd watch the machine not just because of the wash action, but to also make sure things don't go stupid and out of whack.
pierreandreply4
Well-known member
in my book but thats me
1 we need to be cautious and if we own a washer dryer like this vintage or direct drive if parts are still avalable and the machine reparable to keep them as long as we can if i had to go back to a vintage machine because purchuse cost is lower i would go witrh the whirpool set pic 1 maytag set pic 2 or inglis washer pic 3 even if it means a non matching set as long as theyu work well and do the job
1 we need to be cautious and if we own a washer dryer like this vintage or direct drive if parts are still avalable and the machine reparable to keep them as long as we can if i had to go back to a vintage machine because purchuse cost is lower i would go witrh the whirpool set pic 1 maytag set pic 2 or inglis washer pic 3 even if it means a non matching set as long as theyu work well and do the job
