Help me Make an Informed Decision re: a Washing Machine

[laundrymaven]

Hello Automatic Washer folks,

After a lot of lurking, I created a profile in hopes of receiving some much-needed assistance. My husband and I are parents to two young children. We despise planned obsolescence, value longevity and quality, and I tend to research obsessively before plunking down our hard-earned money. Which is why I'm here.

Facts:
-Our first home came with a no-frills Speed Queen washer and dryer set. As 20-somethings, we didn't understand how excellent those machines were. With age brings wisdom...

-When we moved into our current home, we ended up with a now 10-year-old, four cf. capacity TL, HE-style Kenmore 800 (Model 110.29822800). I *think* this has one of the revered Whirlpool DD's, but I have never liked the machine. From the beginning, it twisted clothes like crazy, doesn't always rinse well, collects tons of linty gunk around the top, and has been prone to a variety of minor problems that my husband has fixed. But, it has surprisingly lasted 10 years and the capacity has been nice. Now the porcelain basket is rusting out and sometimes releases something like a sludge. We aren't up for repairing that on our own.

- We are on a septic system. Water level options are good.

- Our laundry room is too small for standard-size FL door clearance, so we must stick with TLs. I'd like the ability to at least wash a queen-size comforter, for those times when kids are sick, etc.

- My husband and I have office jobs, but do like to work outside, camp, and have kids that play hard - I want something that is capable of cleaning well, but won't beat the heck out of delicates.

New models/options we are considering:

- Maytag Commercial, MVWP575GW - Seems to offer a lot of what we want, except I worry about it dumping too much water into our septic system, since it lacks a load size setting.

- Speed Queen *Big Sigh* My plan for the last few years was to buy a new SQ as soon as the Kenmore died. This was supposed to be an easy decision. I've read all about the 2018 debacle, watched the videos, etc. So depressing. I wanted the SQ build quality, reliability and longevity. Now I don't know what to think. Part of me wonders if a 2018 model would still be adequate for our needs, though I don't like the idea of buying a sub-par machine. I considered an LWN model, but capacity appears even a bit smaller than the residential units, and they are water hogs unless we found someone to update the control panel.

- Maytag MVWB765F or MVWB766F - I don't think either of these has the build quality or projected longevity that we want, but in terms of features, capacity, and cleaning function, they look adequate. I dunno. Maybe we'll have to settle for something like this. A happy medium? Or possible junk?

- Last but not least, is it possible that the current Kenmore 800 I so dislike is really better than modern options out there? If so, would it be worth paying someone to refurb. it? I'm not excited about this idea, but will keep an open mind.

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[coldspot66]

Buy a clean refurbed super capacity Kenmore/Whirlpool direct drive washer. 2 piece dual action agitator and a speed select switch, if possible....and NO cold water washes!!

 

[DADoES]

 
Your Kenmore is an "old-style" direct-drive mechanism, modified with the automatic water level sensing function ... a sort-of last-ditch effort to keep them viable toward the end of production under the more stringent energy regulation.  That's the only effective difference it has compared to other direct-drive machines.

Are you running primarily cold-water washes? That'll cause the gunk. In any machine.

 

[johnb300m]

I’d like to recommend this model.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Whirlpool-...Agitator-White-While-Supplies-Last/1000064061

If you search for Loraine Furniture’s videos on YouTube, there are a few clips of this washer platform running.
It’s cheap. Fairly durable by “today’s standards” and it’s simple.
It has a classic agitator and uses more traditional amounts of water.
It’s also repairable if anything like the bearing dies, or the electronics.

I’m considering this model if my own supposedly “commercial technology” Maytag
is condemned.

 

[laundrymaven]

DADoES, thanks for confirming it's a DD. That's means I'm supposed to hold on to it, right? I will say that it has nice capacity, fast wash times, and simplicity that we appreciate. But if you search for that model online, they appear to be problem-prone machines in other respects.

For the majority of our loads, I use the "Cool Brights" option, because when I've stuck my hand in it before, it felt warm. I sometimes use the warm and hot settings for whites. But you are right. I've been reading about the problems associated with cold-water washes, so will make it a point to use hot more often. I don't know that it's a true hot though - I think the Energy Star rating on this machine may reduce the temp.

Considering we'd need to pay someone to replace the wash basket and possibly give it a general tune up, is it worth the $? Or is there a modern model that might serve us better for the long haul?

 

[laundrymaven]

Johnb300m, thanks for the suggestion. My only reluctance with that model is the porcelain basket. We've been burned on porcelain-coated baskets with the Kenmore (which showed it's first chip shortly into our ownership, and now has rust on the interior perimeter of all the basket holes).

 

[jeb]

New washer

In my opinion you are never going to get the years out of anything new that you got out of the last two machines you have had. I wouldn't count on more than 10 to 12 years before major repair or replace. A refurbished older one should last that long and be less expensive and offer the cycles, water levels and times you want, but you are buying a used machine and don't know how hard it has been used. A new one you will at least know what has been washed in it. Either way you go, I would consider any life after 12 years a bonus.

 

[lukes]

My vote is on a Speed Queen commercial unit (LWN). The capacity is the same as the residential units, if you look at the parts manual it uses the same tub. On the electronic units it is easy to add a water level selection if you are willing to swap out the control panel for a 2017 residential unit control panel.

The MVWB765F cleaning action is pretty awful, my brother has one and here is a video review

 

[good-shepherd]

I wanted the SQ build quality, reliability and longevity.

Keep an eye on Craigslist, used Speed Queen washers come up for sale every now and then if you're in a more populated area.

Also refurbed DD washers:

https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/ppd/d/grand-rapids-refurbished-rebuilt-top/6825505061.html

 

[lorainfurniture]

How close are you to Grand Rapids

 

[laundrymaven]

Thank you all for the feedback.

LukeS - I've watched so many of the Lorain videos but apparently missed that one! Guess I'll strike that particular unit from the lineup. I've seen some of the LWNs around, and given them serious consideration. In particular, I was eyeing a '17 LWN432SP115TW01. How "easy" is swapping that control panel? Could a novice do it easily? I've read the threads on here about it, but neither husband or I are experienced with that sort of thing. I like to think we're reasonably smart and resourceful, but time can also be an issue (kids, jobs, no family nearby, etc.) And aren't the LWNs slightly smaller than even the residential models, at 3.19 vs 3.3 cf? That makes me a little nervous, since I'm already accustomed to our current 4.0 cf. (but could likely adapt to smaller).

good-shepherd - I've seen ads for the appliance refurb. store in the CL post you provided. That is about an hour from me, and really tempting to check out since they already are cleaned up and "like new." A couple of days ago, I also called on a Craig's List ad a few hours away, for a few-years-old residential SQ washer/dryer duo that looked to be in excellent, lightly used shape. They sold right away.

Does anyone have thoughts on the apparent "tweaks" to the 2019 Speed Queens? I was just watching Kirk Rivas' recent videos with interest. I know it's still not the SQ we loved, but perhaps an improvement from 2018?

 

[laundrymaven]

Lorainfurniture - G.R. is about an hour or so away. Not a difficult trip if weather cooperates. Are you familiar with the appliance refurb. store there? Btw - I was just telling a friend who lives in Cleveland, that she needs to buy appliances from your store. Keep up the good work.

 

[yogitunes]

well really no matter what machine you have....with a septic, its usually recommended that a washer is either routed outside somewhere, or a gray tank installed...if possible....

no TL machine really does a good job with a puffy comforter bigger than a full size....quilts are usually a better choice...

 

[johnb300m]

Just a few cents of mine thrown in again.

Pertaining to the MVWB765, Eugene’s results really perplex me.
**now I don’t at all want to sway your buying thoughts**
But my parents have a MVWB765, and they like it.
For over a year now it’s been getting all their clothes and bedding clean.
I don’t at all discount Eugene’s results. He uses real good testing methods.
My parents have had to tweak their thoughts on cycles, but they’ve found s groove that works.
They’ve never used Deep Water yet. Only the bedding cycle.
IDK if that matters....

I’m just so perplexed by the difference in results.
If it acted as badly as that test, you better believe I’d hear about it from my mom

 

[laundrymaven]

Yogitunes - Hmm. Septic systems are quite common around here. I've not heard of many washers being routed outside, with the exception of some older homes. In fact, I think there are regulations against it to prevent groundwater contamination, but that may depend on the municipality/county). Gray-water tanks might be a thing, but I'm not familiar with those. *Shrug* Our home is only 20-years old, and the washer has always drained into the septic system, which has a large drain-field and is a double-tank system. We respect it though, and pump the tanks regularly.

As for washing bedding, I realize a FL is the only style to do it well, and don't expect perfection. But if one of my kids vomits all over their bedding in the middle of the night - which does happen - I want the ability to stuff said bedding (full or queen-sized) into the washer and call it good. It doesn't happen often though. And now that I think about it, most of our bed covers are duvets, quilts, or light-weight comforters.

johnb300m - I know. So much conflicting information, which is why I'm nearly at my wits end with this search. It shouldn't be so hard to find a quality, reliable, family-sized machine with simple functions, water-level choices to avoid waste, and good wash ability. Wish we had space for a front loader. It would expand our options at least. But since most have an open-door depth of 51" or greater, that's a no-go.

I hope to visit a local appliance store soon and see if I can get a 30-day "try it out" period. It could be a long shot, but worth asking. Or, I may visit the appliance refurb. store in Grand Rapids. Until then, I appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions!

 

[yogitunes]

a washer draining into a septic is never a good idea....

that's a huge amount of water going in there per load, not to mention detergent and especially bleach, that will kill off the good bacteria to help your septic function properly...

surprised when you have it pumped out, that the guy doesn't ask questions of not putting grease down the drain, where does your washer drain, and not to toss things like cig butts down there....

when ever we had a home with septic....the washers(yes I have several), dishwasher and bath tubs all went outside....note too, the grass on that side of the house was a lot thicker and greener...

having ten kids, its sort of fun to play with grass and bleach....like for a party, a few ideas and templates, you can create a bunch of stuff/games....arrows, hopscotch, softball diamond, names, etc.....straight bleach in a sprayer will turn the grass yellow, eventually it will die off, and grow back super green and thick...

in any case.....I think you would do good with another direct drive, for under 200.00...maybe with a few more options than your used to....try to find one from a reputable used appliance store with a warranty....never hurts to ask for a trade in discount...

some only spit polish the exterior.....others will tear that machine down and scrub it from the inside out, these types have no issue with opening the cabinet to show you how clean it is...

keep us posted on how you make out....

 

[good-shepherd]

I may visit the appliance refurb.

I'd give that place a try.

Prices are a little steep but if they do a real refurb, as in replacing worn parts and not just a cleaning it could be worth it. At least you know what you're getting. But I'd ask for a 30 day exchange and try to negotiate the price down.

Also, not all DD washers are created equal, some have higher build quality (older models), larger capacity, better agitators, more features, etc.

 

[lorainfurniture]

Synergy appliances

He’s a great guy, and fixes his machines with the same quality and care that I do. Owners name is Micheal. Tell him you were referred by Lorain furniture

Google Search

Google Search

 

[DADoES]

 
My washer(s) drains into my septic, for 14+ years.  The county requires a maintenance contract, which I have with the original installers.  They've never made any mention of it being a problem.  I don't have a garbage disposer (electrical is in place for it but the builder didn't install one), I never put grease down the drain, and there has not yet been a need to pump-out any sludge.  I use a powder dishwasher detergent with chlorine bleach, and usually use chlorine bleach on white laundry.

It's an aerobic system.  Three-section tank ... initial collection section where the particulates drop-out, aerobic treatment section with an aerator pump, and distribution/treatment section which has chlorine tablets and a discharge pump (sprays on the far-back area of the yard on a timed schedule via two standard sprinkler heads).