FriGEMore laundry center: experiences?

[dnastrau]

Affinity: aluminum spider; galvanic corrosion

Hi Mark:

Based on this photo the answer appears to be yes (see link).

Someone on Youtube actually put sacrificial anodes made of zinc under their FriGEmore's tub paddles to help make the replacement spider last longer than the original. Apparently alkaline water attacks the spider bracket eventually causing it to fracture. Others say it is the reaction that the aluminum has in the water with the stainless steel tub called galvanic corrosion.

This problem is actually making me second guess recommending a Frigidaire to my parents. I am going to let them know about this issue. The accounts of this part failing on Frigidaires are all over the 'net with some failing on machines that are only two years old. Frigidaire should have solved this by now - it seems to be far too common. A fallback choice for a stacked machine may be the tried-and-true Whirlpool/Maytag "Thin Twin" direct drive top loading unit. At least the biggest headache with those seems to be the occasional drive coupler failure.

Andrew S.

http://www.repairclinic.com/SSPartD...rigidaire-==d683389g12i1191137&PartID=1191137

 

[mark_wpduet]

I looked at your link

it inspired me to look for the Whirlpool Duet part to see if I could tell if it was aluminum, the spider is much larger that the one of the Frigidaire but it looks like it is Aluminum as well! Tisk Tisk!

http://www.repairclinic.com/SSPartDetail.aspx?s=t-ghw9300-==i1059586&PartID=1059586

 

[dnastrau]

Duet aluminum spider

Thanks for the link Mark!

As the owner of a Duet clone (Maytag Epic) this news does not make me happy. I guess time will tell as far as durability goes.

Andrew S.

 

[passatdoc]

controls

You bring up a good point about the convenience of centralized controls, particularly for an older couple. My Frigidaire 2140 stack is 73" tall with the stacking backet, so the dryer controls are only a few inches lower. I am 5'11" and the controls are fine for me. Someone closer to five feet tall would likely find the controls inconveniently high. I had considered Duets, which can be stacked, but because those units are 40" tall instead of 36" tall, the top of the stack is 6'8" and thus dryer controls are very high off the floor. My stack is in the garage and space is not an issue (plenty of lateral room and depth), the overall height would be a factor. Right now the dryer door is right at chest level, very convenient, but I wouldn't like it six or seven inches higher.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Speaking of height

Something that has always puzzled me. When the FL washers started taking off in the US, I've read a lot of people speaking of how they didn't want a FL washer because of the "bending over" to load/unload. But the DRYERS have always been front loading and NOT on a pedestal, and you had to bend to unload/load it. What's the difference? LOL

 

[dnastrau]

Control height; parents looking at Samsungs now

Dryer control height is a problem with many of the individual stacked sets... I guess that really can't be helped since those machines can also be stand-alone. A stepstool could help alleviate the problem.

Just an update on my parents' washer/dryer search:

The Frigidaires are probably out now as well as the Whirlpool top load laundry center "Thin Twin." One of my dad's former students is the appliance manager at their local Lowes and they have been talking... They are looking at a Samsung set that can be stacked (see link.) I saw them yesterday and they look like nice, simple machines with decent capacity and good build quality.

Andrew S.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=307305-149-WF209ANW

 

[suburbanmd]

Load/unload FL dryer vs FL washer

Loading: The dryer drum is big enough so you can drop or toss items into it. In contrast, you have to "stuff" items into an FL washer, if you're using more than a fraction of the capacity.

Unloading: Bigger drum and door on dryer makes it easier to reach in from above.

 

[passatdoc]

The Samsungs are 38" high, so the top of stack will be 6'4", i.e. controls about six feet off the ground. Should work as long as your mother isn't just five feet or so.

 

[dnastrau]

Stacked Samsungs

Thanks Passatdoc - Mom's about 5'4" so it should be OK of they go that route...

Andrew S.

 

[golittlesport]

loading, unloading

I don't see much difference between a front load washer or dryer as far as loading/unloading go. On the newer large capacity washers, the port is rather large and I just toss in the clothes. But, getting that last sock out of the back of the dryer drum usually has me on hands and knees. Ha!

Also, I found it more of a pain in the neck trying to pull a tangled mass of clothes out of a top loading washer, especially large capacity models with deep tubs. There is not that much space between the big auger agitator and the tub opening on many models. When I switched from top loading to front loading, I found unloading much easier. I think the front loader's fluff cycle at the end that untangles the clothes has me spoiled. Just my opinion. I know many people cannot touch their toes and do not like to bend.