ge vs. whirlpool vs. maytag

[Westingcan]

Hi guys, I was wondering if you can give me some advice on choosing a top loading machine (yes top loading - had the front loaders before but my roomate insists on a top loader). I really like the 3.5 cu. ft. GE with the stainless steel tub but I've heard so many bad things about GE - although I've also heard their quality is improving again. My other choice is between an Inglis (Whirlpool) energy efficient 3.2 c/f. and a Maytag (not performa or Atlantis) 3.3 c/f. Maytag scares me right now - even worse than GE. Currently have a Maytag LA7800 - 1992 model was a great machine but it's on it's last legs! Whirlpool always seems to have the best ratings but I like the tub configuration on the other two better. Please help - confused in Canada! Westingcan

 

[mrcleanjeans]

Whirlpool makes a better way to face a busy day.

Get the Inglis.Maytag should now be called Play Tag for that is where they are at in terms of quality,or lack thereof,consistancy,and company status.And as for GE,only the Harmony is a half-decent machine, but WAY overpriced for what you pay,and their other machines should read "GE-we bring bad things to life".Of course they had to improve-they were rock bottom,and slight improvement will not bring them up to Whirlpool's level.Enjoy your new washer,whatever it may be.

 

[appnut]

Please be aware that the energy efficient Inglish regulates temp of hot, warm, and cold temps. The hot is no more maxiumu than 110-120 degrees. Warm is 95 degrees and if there's a warm rinse, it's 75 degrees. Cold is regulated at about 65 to 70 degrees. So you're not going to have a very "hot" awrm or ot wash.

 

[kenmore1978]

TL & FL

So why does the roommate insist on TL after having the advantages of FL? Usually once people experience a good FL machine, they don't want to go back.

 

[tolivac]

If you are shopping for a TL machine-Is there an Alliance-Speed Queen Dealer in your area? It may be worth checking out the SQ TL machines.they make both-can satisfy FL or TL fans.Otherwise I would go with the WP,KN or Inglis machine.I would think such a dealer could demo the machines for you.

 

[Westingcan]

Thanks for the advice. I'm inclined to go with the Inglis (Whirlpool) because it's always had such a good reputation. I thank you about the temperatures...must research that one further. I just don't trust Maytag right now (may heart breaks because if you asked me 10 years ago, there would be no contest!) Damn, what's happening to our domestic market these days! Anyway, really enjoy the input and trust your word..you guys are great...love this site!

 

[petek]

Me thinks you should take a drive to Vancouver or Calgary and check out the larger Trail Appliances stores, there's one in Kelowna as well but haven't been to that one.. lots of selections. Trail in Calgary just moved into the old Costco store location so it's huge and Sears has a huge Outlet store here with a wide selection of scratch n dents , returns etc. I've seen some Boschs and F&P's in there as well. And you'll be just in time for Stampede next weekend

 

[gyrafoam]

In my opinion------------

Don't overlook the Calypso's. I've spent some time watching John LeFever's at work and I must say it does a LOT better than I imagined it would-----really rolls things over and moved them around well. I would be more tempted to invest in one of those than ANYTHING Amananorgetag is putting out. I've also seen the (Samsung built) GE in action and I am unimpressed. It may do well with light weight fabrics, but the heavy stuff like towels won't roll over well----and the impeller is whirling away on them-----the posibility of fabric damage is just too high for me. ALSO GE's SS tub is thin as rice paper! I don't think they could have made it any cheaper and gotten enough strength to hold it together at the seams!But that is GE's story anyway----always the cheapest quality. They do continue to make a good light bulb though.

Not that I am trying to plug E-Bay, but they do have some great deals on new stuff from the Sears stores and many of the stores are local so you can go a reasonable distance to pick the machines up.

 

[tolivac]

Has WP-KN improved the Calypsos?I had heard of very bad results and reliability with those machines-many ended up at Sears and WP returns.also clothes ended up getting stuck under the "agitator" plate.-then breaking its transmission.With what I heard about them-would steer VERY clear of a Calaypso.CU also mentioned this.

 

[gyrafoam]

Funny, John up in Maryland owns a large and successful appliance repair business and he has nothing but praise for the Calypso's! He is also a great promoter of Whirlpool and Kenmore products-------if they had such serious problems I think he would have passed on the information. His Calypso is his favorite machine for washing his work jeans and other very soiled items.

I remember reading articles in the Consumer Reports about reliability problems but don't remember a thing about clothes getting caught under the plate. I do seem to remember the reliability problems were not any worse than those expierenced by Maytag Neptune T/L owners.

Go figure.

 

[tolivac]

I saw the problems in the "Epinions" website.Read several reviews about the owners unhappy with the machines and returning them.Other reviews would say the owners were happy with them and no problems.I beleive the problems of clothes stuck under the agitator were small items like socks.One of the Epinions writers commented on that and how the transmission in his or her machine was damaged and had to be repaired a few times.But thats the advantage of this website where the machines are used by people with knowledge on how to use the machines rather than the Epinions which are from average people users.I wonder if some of the "problems" with the machine were the users.I did see a "dry" demo of a Calypso machine at the Lowes store-was sort of interesting.The agitator plate sort of moved like a "Tilt-A-whirl"Would have been more interesting to see it with water and clothes.I suppose its one of those where water is showered onto the clothes while the machine is agitating thus preventing you from watching it "wet"?

 

[spiralactivator]

If you're set on a new model, definitely go for a Whirlpool product. They're durable and they work well, even though the wash action isn't as dramatic as it used to be. Better yet, why not look in the used appliance stores for a classic? Maybe you could find a real Maytag or a belt-drive Inglis.

 

[Westingcan]

I must say that I have enjoyed all of your comments. Great tip on the temp thing...probably now going to go with the Inglis model 4500 (Inglis.ca) - check it out even has warm spray rinses plus a deep cold rinse! Now how 60's is that? Anyway you're a great group and love the chat! Westingcam.

 

[wmlask]

Just my opinion

I would look at the new Speed Queen top load washers that are built like the old Amana's before Maytag bought them. They have a stainless tub, and porcelain coated steel outer tub. By far the best built machines you can get new. If that is not an option I would spend some money and get your old machine repaired or rebuilt.

http://www.speedqueen.com/home/index.htm

 

[gyrafoam]

John defeated the lid switch on his Calypso, so that is how I learned about how it works. I was really impressed as I did not believe it capable of good cleaning. It rolls over the largest load so I now know it is not just wearing the hell out of the stuff at the bottom. The water caacades in as it goes. It also has a fast spin available. I wonder if the Calypso's have a larger USABLE capacity than the F&P'S? And I would agree that a lot of the problems with washing machines in general can be traced back to the operator. The wasing machine still tends to be the most abused appliance in the average American household.

 

[Westingcan]

Thanks for the Speed Queen tip - I'd love to buy one but they're not even sold in Canada any more! There was something about Whirlpool owning the right to the name. About 10 years ago you'd see Speed Queen branded coin laundry but the machines were made by Inglis. It's no different than Roper in Canada is made by Whirlpool/Inglis and not Maytag as in the States. Real Speed Queens used to be produced in Cambridge Ontario Canada buy the McGraw Edison company.

I wish we could get real Speed Queens here!

 

[brisnat81]

Roper is Whirlpool

In Australia Roper is Whirlpool, I was pretty sure that it is the same in the states as well.

Regards

Nathan

 

[agiflow]

Roper is Whirlpool

It very much is.

 

[Westingcan]

Sorry about the Roper confusion. Actually, come to think of it isn't Admiral? Does Maytag make Admiral in the States? Whirlpool makes it in Canada and if memory now correctly serves me...didn't that have some connection why Whirlpool in Canada couldn't use the Speed Queen name? (My brain hurts!)