HE top loaders

[frigilux]

Correction: I am glad Frigidaire kept the excellent suspension system from their traditional TOP-loaders for the Immersion Care models. Sorry for the confusion.

Andrew--- I know you are very particular about laundry so I completely trust you're getting great results from your HE top-loader. You've adopted the correct procedures to maximize performance. The only thing HE machines have in common with traditional washers is that they load from the top.

 

[combo52]

HE top load washers

I think roughly 1/3 of our customers have HE top load washers one third have traditional top load washers and another third have a front loading washer. We get a lot of complaints about all three types and actually probably the most complaints about the front loading washers due to issues of smell etc.

 

Personally if I could only have one type I would have a front loading washer and do have front loading washers that I like, they are superior for washing large items coats and blankets etc. And a lot has to do with any machine is learning to work with it and use it properly and a lot of people don't use their front loading washers properly or their HE top loading washers for that matter.

 

It is interesting that even the very critical Consumer Reports does not have a strong preference for front loaders versus HE top loaders, so I really would conclude that both types of machines are highly satisfactory for users.

 

Last Thursday our delivery guys picked up a lovely LG front loading washer that was only 4 1/2 years old and the guy just hated it and bought a SQ top loading washer from us, In his house the washer was a long ways from the water heater and he said he was sick and tired of not being able to get a hot wash and tired of the smell from the LG washer.

 

[dartman]

Well we have the 28102 Like Joeypete used to have and we think it still cleans and works fine today. Sister has done our comforters in it and reports it does fine in the sheets mode, and actually works and they fit better then our old 90 DD large capacity whirlpool we had since about 92.
That machine cleaned fine but was extremely loud and used a ton of water which we couldn't afford at our new house with a much higher water bill.
New machine is also super quiet which is nice when you're stuck with a laundry nook in the kitchen.
Other then a penny getting stuck under the impeller it hasn't given us any trouble yet and I pulled the impeller myself easily and removed the penny.
Like mentioned if you load and set them right they work fine, at least ours is good.

 

[brucelucenta]

logixx

That video you posted shows the clothes moving more than any other video I have seen of an HE top loader. I do clearly see the "bloom" affect in progress. I am not and have not said that these type of machine are useless or that they absolutely will NOT clean your clothes at all. It just seems that it takes a lot more friction and rubbing to even get the clothes to move in some of the units. I mean, just wetting clothes down and soaking them in soapy water will clean them somewhat. These machines just don't seem very capable of moving larger, heavier items around very well either. I would also hate to have to depend on very little water to rinse the soap and residue out of my clothes too. Anyone would have to agree that the old style agitator washer did a far superior job and did it quicker. The reason that front loaders can do it with so little water is because they were designed originally to use less water and are quite capable of washing and rinsing that way. I guess that it all boils down to what we percieve to work and do the job. I have had several different bad experiences with different machines and perhaps that has shaded my opinions on them. I really do like the front loading machine I have now, something I thought I would NEVER have let alone like. Up until over 2 years ago I would have never in my wildest dreams thought I would be using a front loader as my daily driver. I was ALWAYS an advocate for top loading machines until recently.

 

[joeypete]

The F&P is a great machine! Probably the best out there in terms of handling the items. Until WP changed the new Cabrio designs I would have gone to them too but honestly now I'd either get the F&P or the LG top loader. The LG does a really good job actually, especially when the TurboWash kicks in lol I don't know enough about the GE's to make an informed decision about them. It does appear though that the recirculating spray stays on most of the wash cycle, which would be a selling point for me. They are based on the F&P SmartDrive design too I believe.

 

[frigilux]

A front-loader has been the daily driver since 1987 and I've never once had a problem with mildew/smells/mold/gunk. I didn't even leave the door ajar 'til 1996. I do, however, wash in hot water several times a week, usually with some liquid chlorine bleach.

The class action lawsuit against Whirlpool was for a design defect that apparently allowed mildew and mold to develop in unseen areas. That has been rectified in newer models, from what I've read.

The Maytag doesn't prompt one to run the Clean Washer cycle as did the 2010 Frigidaire. I've used the Clean Washer cycle only twice in the year I've had it. No problems, so far. I leave the dispenser open a bit as well as the door.

Maybe I'm just lucky.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I received a card

from WP, saying that all FL washers manufactured from 2001 to I can't remember the exact dates, but my Duet fell within those years, and it was some sort of recall. My machine is on it's 12th year and not a single hint of a smell. I absolutely love my machine. I also trust that (even though I have never had an HE TL) that Andrew knows what he's talking about. If he says he likes the machine, it's a good machine. I think because HE TL's have improved drastically compared to when they first came out.

 

[panthera]

Andrew nailedit:

'So long as the comforter or large item is loaded as though there is an invisible agitator post in the middle, you'll never have problems with tangling....'

The key to getting good performance out of these HE TLs is too follow the rules exactly to the letter.
They're marginal performers, at best, so any deviation from the 'best practice' will result in poor cleaning.

 

[vacerator]

Go Joeypete!

maybe "I won't mention his name" is washing all his clothes on the bulky cycle in deep water.

 

[brucelucenta]

Frigilux

I think the statement you made is the most true. "The only thing HE machines have in common with traditional washers is that they load from the top."

 

[vacerator]

I have followed the instructions

since I've had the washer. Now, it is almost 6 years old, and fills half full with water regardless of the cycle. It also does not slowly spin the load as it fills anymore.
Gear case and mode shifter were replaced two winters ago. As I stated earlier, it is a pile of scrap now. If I do get another he top loader, it will be one with a hall sensor gearless drive system, like Samsung.
Otherwise, an Alliance Speed Queen, or a front loader, or a reconditioned vintage machine. Of course, there is always the laundromat. No head aches there.

 

[appnut]

I don't feel sorry for front load owners who say "they are sick & tired of not being able to get a hot wash."  They're the ignorant ones who don't know to buy a model with a heater.  In fact, models without heaters should no longer be sold.  There are cycles and options on those models that do engage the heater to supplement or boost water temp in the washer.  THAT'S why I will use s front loader over an He top loader.  Even the He top loader with heat and steam cannot get a hot as front loaders.   

 

[brucelucenta]

That is also why Speed Queen needs to start putting heaters on their front load machines. I think they might capture more of the market that way, since that is a big selling point. I do know that when Frigidaire came out with their first washers owners either liked them or HATED them. They did tangle things severely and even worse if you did not follow the loading instructions to the letter. But some people stayed loyal to Frigidiare and would have nothing else but and others would NEVER EVER touch another Frigidaire product. I think that the new HE top loaders are similar in that respect. If you watch some of the video's people have made, it is interesting what they think about it.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Why?

out of curiosity - would an HE TL washer with a built in heater not get as hot as a FL with a built in heater? - this shows how much I know. I didn't realize any HE TL washer even had a heater at all. But if they do, isn't a heating element a heating element? Maybe HE FL washers have to use a little more water, thus it takes longer to heat, thus not getting as hot? I'm just guessing. I've never used an HE TL washer myself.

 

[DADoES]

 
There were/are many HE toploaders with heating elements.  Oasis, Cabrio, and Bravos models over the years.  I find four current Maytag/Whirlpool models have heating, and I imagine some Samsung and/or LG.
Whirlpool WTW8700E parts list shows an element, #20 on page 6.
WTW8500D
WTW8510F
MVWB855D

The TOL Neptune TL FAV9800 had a heating element.  I've rarely seen them in the wild so apparently didn't sell well, probably too expensive.

Calypsos unfortunately do not.  They'd be perfect if so.

 

[logixx]

HE top loaders can get hot as well. Their cycles times, however, may reflect how long it takes to heat a large amount of water up. Some manufacturers will also drastically limit the amount of clothes the Sani cycle can wash. Here's LG's Allergene cycle with default settings on the large top loader.

(c) AutistiVision on YouTube

 

[murando531]

The BravOasis I have fills with only hot as long as a cycle other than Normal is used. Even the Bulky cycle will use true hot tap when selected.

@vacerator - I actually never use the Bulky cycle for anything. Uses too much water, and the agitation is too aggressive, so it's ironically counterproductive to how well the other cycles perform.

My machine is one step below the TOL model, with the only difference being that mine doesn't have the heating element. Looking back, I should have thrown in the small difference in cost to upgrade, but I really don't miss it because my laundry room is a few feet away from where the water heater is in the garage on the other side of the wall, so my hot washes are always adequate.

Also. I haven't posted much, but we're in Brisbane Australia until the end of July and THIS is what we have to live with. If you want to talk about horrible HE/impeller top loaders, THIS machine is the one you're looking for. The dryer isn't much better. I thought it might be condenser, but it's merely a traditional that doesn't vent out, and instead makes the room humid and the walls drip. Blegh. But, it's still better than not having a machine in our apartment at all, so I can't complain.

 

[foraloysius]

Is that an LG washer?

 

[gansky1]

I got a really good deal on a closeout model LG at Lowes, less than $375, so I couldn't pass it up.  My curiosity had the better of me for some time with the front-control models and I finally gave in.  

 

I've been using this washer for about four months now and have to say that with no modifications, no water level cheats, I've been pretty impressed with the capabilities of the LG.  Bulky bedding, small to giant loads have been no trouble and with proper detergent use, the rinsing has been very adequate.  

 

Of course, I've played with the water level and washing cycles and have found that more water isn't necessarily better.  Smaller loads tend to float and get little or no agitating and larger loads get agitated but not as aggressively as when the "logic" is allowed to run it's course.

 

[brucelucenta]

Well, I have to admit that I am sort of surprised to know that. I also know that you have no reason whatever to say that if it were not the case. I have had great success with my front loading LG made machine as well. How does it compare to a traditional top load washing machine though? Does it wash and rinse as well as, say your old speed queen or Kelvinator washers? You don't sell appliances for a living or have any reason to be bias about it, so I would trust your judgement.