FriGEMore laundry center: experiences?

[dnastrau]

Greetings:

My parents are looking for a set to replace their tired 25-year-old Hotpoint tub ring Filter-Flo set (that may end up at our house!) They wanted a front load stacked unit to free up space in their cramped laundry room, so I did a little research and came up with the Frigidaire front load unit (see link below.) It seems to have gotten very good reviews and the price is great (which was a concern for them. Unfortunately $2K Speed Queens were not in the budget). Any thoughts or experiences?

Thanks in advance!

Andrew S.

http://www.pcrichard.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=55473&parentCategoryId=1&categoryId=10000&subCategoryId=10110

 

[ptcruiser51]

Dryer capacity

Should be twice what the washer capacity is. Unitized models always suffer from undersized dryers, but this is not a really big concern unless you do full loads all the time. Or if you regularly wash a lot of heavy articles: bath towels, jeans, outerwear.

The other consideration is that when one unit finally "goes", you're either stuck with an enormous repair cost, or junking the other unit that still works.

Good luck!

 

[golittlesport]

You may want to consider individual units stacked. I've had good luck with Frigidaire front loaders. My son has a nine year old washer with no repairs. The dryer does a good job and is fine for most loads. Frigidaire has a larger dryer out now, but the footprint may be bigger, somthing to consider in tight spaces.

 

[dnastrau]

Dryer capacity; stacking individual units

Thanks for the fast replies!

The washer is a 3.1 cu ft and the dryer is a 5.7. The dryer size is the same as all of the stand alone Frigidaire dryers of recent years - a tad small compared to Whirlpool, etc. For my parents it should be fine since they do not wash a lot of bulky items.

Stacking individual units does solve the problem of one half of the one-piece laundry center dying prematurely forcing replacement of the whole thing, but the initial price will be higher. I'll have to look at this possibility as well.

Andrew S.

 

[fridgiman]

Definitely go for individual units that can be stacked. If one goes you can just replace it and don't have to junk the whole unit.
How much do they want to spend?
Look in the Consumer Reports latest review of washers. They rate a lower priced front load frigidaire as a "Best Buy" and it has a water heater. I think you can get both washer and matching dryer for around $1000.00 and they can be stacked.
Good Luck,
Jim

 

[dnastrau]

FriGEmore Stacking kit is only $20

Well, after checking prices my assumption was incorrect. You can get the stand alone units along with the stacking kit for less than $20 more. The only negatives that I see with this is having the dryer controls at the top, and the loss of the shelf space on top of the washer. I'll let them know about this and we'll see...

My only reservation about the Frigidaires is the possible tub bearing/aluminum spider failure possibility. However, I know some people here have had very good luck with these machines. If they get these I'll make sure they avoid chlorine bleach and oversudsing.

Thanks again,

Andrew S.

 

[tristarcxl]

Tub Bearing / Spider

I've got one of the 3.1 cu. ft. Frigemore frontloaders that's less than 2 years old. I have babied that thing it's whole life, and it's already got the whine of a failing bearing in it on spin. I'm going to use it until it craps out then find something else to be my daily driver.

It washes well, but the fact that it's not used but 2-3x a week, cared for with the door left open after use, and the bearing noise makes me a little unhappy with it.

Since the bearing isn't dead yet, you can't call for warranty service either. How much you wanna bet it dies just after when the warranty ends?

 

[davek]

Whirlpool

The 27" Whirlpool stacked set doesn't compromise on capacity and uses dependable, proven parts already common to Whirlpool and Kenmore DD machines. Avoid the Kenmore larger stack pair as it's actually a Frigidaire top-loader. People around here don't think much of those, either (see the thread about a leaking GE on Imperial).

Though that link is a good price, I've read too much lately to trust a Frigidaire.

 

[toploader1984]

tell them they SHOULD deffinately spend the extra money and get the SPEED QUEEN stackable front loader, all the problems frigidaires have with the bearings and spider arm assemblies... the average life span is 5 to 7 years, on most front loaders for that matter, the speed queen will outlast any front loader on the market today hands down, and it is made in america, not mexico like most front loaders, it also comes with a 3 year parts AND labor warranty. go to www.speedqueen.com and check it out.

 

[revvinkevin]

Question: WHY does everyone call these "Fridgemores&quo

Is there some thought they are made by Kenmore for Frigidaire, or vis versa? What's the story? As far as I know they are made by Electrolux primarily for Frigidaire, but are also sold under the Sears/Kenmore and GE names.

I have had this same Frigidaire individual stacking units (3.1 cu ft washer, 5.7 dryer) for 12 years now and have had only very minimal problems with them! In the last year one of the tub shocks for the washer physically broke and the timer knob came off in my hand one day about 5 months ago. I ordered the parts online and replaced them myself, very easy repairs!

I have always used chlorine bleach when I do the whites and in the last 12 years it has only had an oversuds issue twice and then completely by accident.

So far 12 years and 2600+ loads of laundry later..... they are still going strong!

 

[dnastrau]

Bearing failures

Hi tristarcxl:

Wow - that is pretty extreme. I wonder if the bearing was defective from the start. I would think that if the bearing is whining you should be able to make a warranty claim now. I would certainly try.

We purchased a Maytag Epic (Whirlpool Duet clone) two years ago. One of the reasons for picking it over the Frigidaires was the lack of complaints regarding bearing failures. Guess what? I now see reports on the Internet of bearing failures with Duet/clone machines too! Very disappointing.

You would think that by now the bread and butter manufacturers could make (or be willing to produce) a bearing that would last. It is interesting that some people's front loader Frigidaires/clones and Whirlpools/clones go for years with no bearing issues and others fail very early even when they have been well cared for. It seems that most everything has become disposable today unless you buy high-end like Miele or Speed Queen.

I am going to recommend that my parents get an extended warranty on whatever they end up buying.

Andrew S.

 

[dnastrau]

FriGEmores

Hi Kevin:

Yes, my understanding is that the same machine was made by Electrolux and sold under the Frigidaire, GE, Kenmore (and Gibson) brand names. That is where the nickname originated.

I am glad to hear that your stack unit is going strong after 12 years. Excellent!

Andrew S.

 

[tristarcxl]

Don't get me wrong, it's a decent washer. My only complaint is the eternity-long cycle and the roaring bearing. Yes, I've complained, but they say that if they replace it when it hasn't failed, they may charge me for the repair.

Considering that I paid around $400 for the machine, when it dies, it's gone. I'll haul one of the vintage machines down from the garage and use it. I bought the Frigidaire because it actually used enough water to cause a "slosh". I'm not a fan of the modern iterations that use like 2 tablespoons of water......they're terrible on pet hair!

The only modern appliance I've got in this house is the dishwasher which came with the house. It's a 1999 Whirlpool Gold with the electronic push buttons. I've never used a better dishwasher.....and that includes the vintage Kitchen-Aids. I've never pre-rinsed a single dish that went in there and in the 3 years I've owned this house, I have NEVER had a single dish come out with so much as a spot! It's a shame they don't make them like that anymore.

 

[dnastrau]

Whirlpool DD and Speed Queen

Wow - thanks for all of the replies! I will also mention the Whirlpool top load stack as well as the Speed Queen front load stack to them. The Speed Queen is almost $2K so I don't know if they can go that high. I know going cheap can sometimes be false economy but $2K may simply be too high for them at this point. We'll see.

Andrew S.

 

[laundromat]

FIGIDAIRE Affinity

The Affinity washer and dryer are the ones I recomend for those on a "budget"They are pretty much "tried and trued" and I have heard verry few (if any) issues regarding them.They are a good size in capacity and I think the dryers come equiped with a stacking kit?? I could be wrong but the stacking is nothing but a couple brackets that mount in the rear section of the set and will be more secure than most other stacking kits with other brands.I just installed a new set made for Crosley that are identical to the 8,000 model Frigidaire set.Those sold for $1399 + $250 S&H from Kent,Washington.The buyer, who is a dental hygenist localy,came in to get some propane and marveled over,bragged about and thanked me for talking her into a front loader.She said that she originaly was going to allow the tenants to use it but she now does their wash for them to be sure nobody abuses them. I laughed because most people really don't give a rat's ass about how to maintain and take care of appliances. She uses Windex and leaves her door ajar after finished for the day in doing the wash.She also cleans her dispenser tray and uses WiskHE detergent.She was verry disturbed at first because her friends told her if she got the front loader,she would not be able to open it during the cycle. I showed her they were wrong and all she needed to do was open the dispenser tray to dissengage the door lock. She was then sold and bought the pair. Her's has the drawers to store all her additives.

 

[volvoguy87]

Speed Queen.

Check CL and see if any Speed Queen front loaders are for sale. You can save a whole lot on a very high quality machine by getting it slightly used. Also check for floor models and previous year models.
Dave

 

[mark_wpduet]

I wonder if the folks that have had these units for 9 or 10 years, are these even made as well as they were then. I guess there's no way to know.

 

[passatdoc]

Based on golittlesport's experience, you should be safe with the combined unit. His original 3.1 cu ft FL is going on ten years and now resides at his son's home where it is still giving excellent service. The only downside is, as others have mentioned, what if the washer dies in 12 years but the dryer still works? Then the buyer might wish there were separate, stacking machines. I have a 2140 stacked on the matching gas dryer. If the washer dies in ten years, hopefully I can replace it with a washer of the same footprint.

Btw, the frigdaire stacking kit consists of three brackets (two small ones on each front corner, one long piece along the rear) that bolt into the top of the washer. The brackets have recessed holes that accomodate the feet of the dryer. The kit comes free with Affinity models. For 2140 and 2940, you have to buy it for about $20. I don't know about the kit for the 3.1 washer but one must exist since it is billed as being stackable.

 

[dnastrau]

Affinity, Speed Queen, stacked vs. separates

Hi Laundromat:

Yep, they know about the Affinity too. That is what we almost bought (and the 2140/2940) before our Maytag Epic two years ago. They are still leaning toward the smaller stacked set though.

Hi Dave:

No Speed Queens to be had used/cheap in their area (Hudson Valley, NY or ours - Poconos, PA) on Craigslist at the moment (sadly.)

Hi Passatdoc:

Yes, I spoke with my parents yesterday and they will probably go for the stacked set instead of the separates stacked with the kit. My dad's rationale is that they do not do a high volume of wash, and by the time one unit fails there is no guarantee that you could still replace it with the same one. The FriGEmore design has been around for a long time and will likely be changed eventually.

My mom likes the "shelf" area that is on top of the washer and the fact that the controls are consolidated into the center of the unit. That is swaying the decision as well.

Thanks again for all of the replies.

Andrew S.