GE front load 24" compact front load washer/dryer

[drhardee]

Hey all,

 

Does anyone have real world experience with GE's one and only 24" front load washer and matching vented dryer?

GE® 24" 2.4 Cu. Ft. ENERGY STAR® Front Load Washer with Steam - GFW148SSMWW - GE Appliances

 

GE® 24" 4.3 Cu.Ft. Front Load Vented Electric Dryer with Stainless Steel Basket - GFD14ESSNWW - GE Appliances

 

I'm considering replacing an aging Miele stacked pair (from 2005) with this washer and it's matching vented dryer.  I, of course, first looked at Miele, Bosch and Electrolux. My challenge is that half of the laundry duties at our home are shared by my<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> blind</span> husband. He won't not do laundry...tough problem, I know..

 

He can use our older Miele set, since it has the older (non-touchtronic) selector knob setup. There are not dozens of options, or touch screens that can trip up a blind user. It's turn on the power, turn the selector knob to select a cycle, and go. The fact that our current set allows us to set the exact wash temperature by degrees is nice too; there's no vague "cold" "cool", "warm", etc. temperatures,  it's 105, 120, 140, and so on up to 180 F. I like that. I'm still hesitant to try a ventless condenser or heat pump dryer. My small kitchen, where the W/D is located, doesn't need the extra heat load added to it from a ventless dryer, and I have a convenient dryer vent behind the set.

 

Our current Miele washer will make a loud "bang" when it shifts into it's first interim spin of a cycle (when fully loaded). It doesn't do it when it's lightly loaded, and it doesn't do it at the start of final spin, just the first spin cycle after wash before  rinse.  I can hear the drum bang against the side of the cabinet once or twice, and maybe it's only balancing the load prior to the first spin, I don't know.

 

What I do know is this set is now 16 years old, and may not last a lot longer.  I don't know if Miele even still stocks repair parts for this set. Columbia, SC does not have a certified Miele repair technician any longer. So, I'm looking at this simpler set from GE.  I know it won't last as long as the Miele, but it is simple to use.

 

So, what I'm looking for, ideally, is a 24" front-loading washer (with a heater) and vented dryer that's EASY TO USE.  I'd get a Speed Queen stacked set, but it's too tall for the location, as is any other non-24" European sized set, which top out at 67" high. We have cabinets above the washer/dryer stack which we need for storage. These cabinets disallow a taller set from being used. 

 

Any thoughts about any of this rambling dialogue?

https://www.geappliances.com/appliance/GE-24-2-4-Cu-Ft-ENERGY-STAR-Front-Load-Washer-with-Steam-GFW148SSMWW?rrec=true

 

[henene4]

These GE machines should be Haier sourced, same design base as Fisher&Paykel.

I think Fisher&Paykel machines keep the last used cycle and the adjustments to the cycle.
Might help?

Some machines have tonal indications on what level of a temp or a spin speed is selected, but I could not tell you which do that.

A machine which would be relatively close to the Mieles 1 knob selection would be this Blomberg:
https://www.blombergappliances.com/...pact-front-load-washing-machine-wm72200w.html
They are a "budget" brand over here that is pretty ok quality wise.
All options reset every time the machine is turned on and off.
However no audible feedback.
Matching vented dryer available.

In such cases I would usually recommend going to a store and trying out.
But that gets kinda hard with compact machines in the US I guess...

 

[brisnat81]

If the Miele is just starting to Bang when heavily loaded, it could be as simple as the Friction Dampers on the bottom.

The white toe panel pulls off, remove two screws down there. Remove the two screws around the Door Lock, the screw under the loading hole and the Boot ring and that gets you inside. All these screws are Torx Headed.

If your finding that the drum then bounces easily, you just need a 12mm socket or spanner (From memory) to swap the friction dampers out.

I've had to do a couple of our machines that are in that 10-20 year bracket and its $70 for genuine dampers and about 15 mins work.

 

[jamiel]

you might reach out to both GE Appliance and Whirlpool--they have been known to have braille overlays for their controls. Also might check with the local Blind organization--they may have OT people who can help with recommendations.

 

[imperial70]

I own these machines

Going on two years next month.
Great washing and rinsing. Only need a tbsp of liquid or powder detergent for most loads. I never use the normal cycle. Super water stingy with a very long spin.
Best rinsing is with the Heavy cycle. The standard 2 rinses fill with extra water.

Dryer is super flexible. Comes with drying rack. A little on the noisy side (compared to how quiet the washer is). Sometimes you have to use the timed dry cycle because the sensors trigger too soon (like after a few minutes) for items that are nearly dry.

Reason I went with these Units. The 120v washer plugs into the 208v dryer. I was replacing a Stacked whirlpool washer/dryer and there was only a 208/240v plug available. Bosch also has this capability. There are several brands that seem to be very close cousins of this model (Haier is the manufacturer). I wasn't sure if the close relatives had the same plug convenience. I believe Haier does. Not sure about the F&P.

 

[combo52]

GEs 24" W+D

We sell and service a lot of these machines and they have been pretty good, they are Samsung machines built for GE in China.

 

For about the last 1/2 dozen years or so we have considered these GEs one of the better choices if you have to have a compact W+D, and it is now one of the few that is vented which is always the best option if you have a decent outside venting option for speed and reliability.

 

Its too bad you can't use a SQ Stack as it is not only the best stack but it is easy to use by blind persons because it has definite cycle pads for each cycle and you can use options once you know what each cycle provides if you want to deviate from the preselected settings.

 

John L.

 

[henene4]

In general these seem to be all options

https://www.ajmadison.com/b.php/Dry...ted;Washer+&+Dryer+Sets/N~2047+2764+2836+1176

Usually they have pretty good prices and good availability so all compact, stacked sets with a vented dryer are listed here.
(Just exclude the Summit, that isn't vented.)

I wasn't abled to find any braille overlay offerings.
Over here Miele has a special model with a braille-type overlay and makes "big" noise about it, so I would have been surprised if any manufacturer would still do such a thing and not advertise it.

I was thinking towards the commercial lineup since inclusivity should be huge in that space, and there are really simple machines there, but no compacts that fit that space nor some with that inclusivity build in.
Not even Miele offers their simple LittleGiants over there...

Not sure if any of this helps, but some machines are usable via a phone app now and that might be a pretty good accesibility option. Usually that just entails closing the machine door, turning the knob to a specific position and pressing one button. The rest of the selection is done via a smartphone app that should be compatible with the regular accesibility options for the vision impaired.
Second thing someone in an old Houzz thread mentioned was a braille labeler. They seem to be readily available and relativley cheap and many of the controls could be made more accesible via just some bumps added.

Honestly really a shame no one thought about adding a simple voice output or even voice control onto their machines or at least some upper line machines.
We have Google asistant and Google would certainly LOVE to throw their name all over such an inclusivity project...

 

[drhardee]

Thanks guys,

I really appreciate all of the responses, and the AJ Madison listing of everything available (including several makes to which I haven't even given any thought) is helpful.  I'll also look into the "friction damper" thing. That might be all this issue turns out to be.  I'd love to have a Miele "Little Giant" set, but I have to KISS.

 

I did replace the cold water inlet valve on this current washer by myself 2 years ago, so perhaps the friction damper thing ain't beyond my limited skill set.

 

[askolover]

I just replaced the dampers (shocks) and the top springs on my Miele.  World of difference.  The old dampers were leaking and obviously shot.  No more banging.