Front loader or top loader machines?

[good-shepherd]

if there is a known possible water shortage, I could fill it, and save some water there. Suitable for flushing manually, or something like.

Hmm.. thats a damn good idea, never thought of that.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Front load! Aside from a classic SQ top load washer that works much like the old fashioned TL washers - if someone offered to GIVE me a brand new top load washer, I would decline and go buy a front load washer (unless I were desperate). Even the worst FL washer on the market would be better (to me) than any of the modern top load washers, again, aside from Speed Queen and maybe those few that act similar to old fashioned TL washers... I think there's an Amana, a Maytag, etc... if I had to have a TL washer, it would be one of those. But I'd literally take the crappiest front loader on the market and still feel better about it than one of those modern TL washers. A few days ago I took this video of my almost 21 years old FL washer...It's still in a fantastic state.

 

[vacerator]

Same her Mark.

 

[pstehle]

I picked up a Speed Queen TR3 a few months ago at auction, but I'm a little spooked about reports of squeaks developing during spin and other issues, though it's not done anything but wash clothes just fine since I hooked it up... Is it going to need a tub seal or something like that in a few years? That's a nasty job and the seal kits are pretty expensive, from what I've seen... This washer is staying on when I rent the house, we're moving next month, and I have a SQ Commercial stack unit that's going with us. I actually have no more invested in both than a new mid-line WP or Maytag top loader would cost, and both look like new... I scrapped a 1980's digital model some years ago because the tub seal failed and I couldn't get the nut off to pull the basket. Still wish I'd kept that one!

 

[rinso]

And most of what folks will buy comes down to personal preference.

 

[servis-dream]

I have only used top loading machines, but the front loaders seem to be becoming more popular.

I like top loaders since I can open the lid and throw in the forgotten sock once the wash has started filling. And if there is a known possible water shortage, I could fill it, and save some water there. Suitable for flushing manually, or something like.

Why do you prefer top loading or front loading machines?

i suppose i can add in my 2 cents to this, as a Brit

having had experience with 3 types of top loaders (2 of them being personally available to me at all times), i can say this

want something done fast and don't care about it being sanitised?

top loader

want something sanitised and get a massive dose of detergent to go along with that?

front loader

there's pro's and cons to both but to be honest, asking this one singular question is quite literally like starting a civil war here lol

there's front loader lovers and top loader lovers, then there are the ones in-between like me, but within the question itself, i'll define no clear winner

why?

because every top loader can be made far more powerful wash action wise, front loaders can have some serious aces up their sleeves and well, allegedly the Direct Drive by Whirlpool reigns supreme but they may or may not have toned that down a little before they launched it

furthermore you could also say a hell of a lot of front loaders can outperform top loaders on capacity alone, which in some cases is true, but domestically, you can't exactly wash 5 cu ft of stuff in a top loader these days without being severely disappointed, but you can with a front loader

the basic principal of both types of machines has stayed relatively similar, sizing has gone bananas over the years of course, and there are new (useless) ideas from manufacturers who are shells of their former selves somehow still afloat by god knows who by god knows what

anyways, in other news

i honestly have no thoughts in my head and it seems my brain cells are playing pong, if anyone does wish to reply to this please do so

 

[mark_wpduet]

For me it's this: Watching some of the TL washers in action that aren't overloaded (just a normal load), speeding up the video, you do see clothes moving and it doing it's job. But it's risky. You're hoping and praying that item on the top will eventually get pulled down, and it does get pulled down. The difference is in a front loader (that's not overloaded) there's NO risk.. Everything is getting equal attention. That item that you're hoping will eventually get pulled down isn't waiting to be pulled down in a front loader. It's constantly being washed the same as the other stuff. And the front loader is heating the already hot water that went into it, or at the very least keeping it at that temp..

 

[jmm63]

I like them both, but I LOVE my LG Washtower. It lets you stop the cycle anytime if you want to add something. Cleans beautifully. Energy efficient and easy on clothes. And I've had 2 front loaders and have never had a mold issue. Got to keep the door open when done and keep up on clean cycles.

 

[pierreandreply4]

the choice of a washer depends on 1 needs and i find since going back to a top load that in my case clothes are much cleaner when submerge in water