Help me purchase my first washer/dryer set!

[cb526]

Hey all! New member here. I've been perusing post after post here and I am thoroughly impressed. There's nowhere else like this board on the web to be sure (at least in English). On to the nitty gritty of my post...

I'm about to make my first major appliance purchase and I've narrowed my choices down to two sets and I'd greatly appreciate some guidance as to what I should get.

I am down to two sets:

This Maytag DD Washer and Dryer set for about $830 delivered out the door...

Maytag Washer: http://tinyurl.com/6za6rn
Maytag Dryer: http://tinyurl.com/5au49x

OR

This GE Profile set for around $915 delivered after rebates...

GE Profile Washer: http://tinyurl.com/5tm6vb
GE Profile Dryer: http://tinyurl.com/5aekoh

We're obviously looking for something reliable as we'd rather not be throwing more money at a washer/dryer in the near future and these two sets are at these prices is about all we can afford to spend at the present.

Any additional suggestions are most certainly welcome.

It's nice to have found such an apparently knowledgable community.

CHEERS!

 

[frigilux]

I think you'd be fine with either set. The Maytag should be reliable, as it is basically a re-badged Whirlpool. GE's reliability has also improved recently.

Personally, I like the slower agitation stroke of the new GE's. But that pair is also almost $100 more than the Maytag set. Let us know what you decide!

 

[tuthill]

Get a front loader... all modern traditional top-loaders suck. But if I had to pick between the two I'd go with the Whirltags (just don't overload it or your clothes will never forgive you).

 

[jeffg]

> all modern traditional top-loaders suck

That's not true. Our new Speed Queen TL is faster, quieter and outcleans any that I or my parents ever had. But a set of them may run slightly more than what cb526 is looking to pay.

 

[mulls]

SQ TL

JeffG,does your SQ "dumb down"the water temps?Does it fill to the top?Are there spray rinses?

 

[cb526]

I still haven't made my decision.

What's the general consensus on the Hydrowave?

Has the reliability of GEs improved over the horrors that I've read about with the old transmission?

 

[rayjay]

Hello

Go with a Front Loader. The top loaders are not the same as they were years ago. I have an LG which I really like. Take a look at consumer reports and use this as a guide line. The new top loaders washing ability has gone down hill.

 

[jeffg]

> JeffG,does your SQ "dumb down"the water temps?Does it fill to the top?Are there spray rinses? <

1. It provides whatever water temps are at your valves. No auto-adjustments.

2. Its highest water level on automatic is at the top row of tub holes. But you can raise it as high as you want by holding the water level dial to Reset.

3. That's one of the coolest things about it. It does have a spray rinse (about 30 seconds) as part of its normal cycles. But if you manually turn the dial to that same spot, you can make spin rinses last as long as you want, up to 4 minutes. I don't know if this was intentional design or just luck, but it's a feature we use all the time. Just yesterday we did a queen-size filled comforter, and before starting the wash cycle we gave it a 3 minute spin rinse to remove most of the air. The rollover during the wash and rinse cycles was amazing. Even though the Speed Queen's tub is smaller (3.3 cu. ft.), rollover was far, *far* better than in our former 4.0 cu. ft. Cabrio AGI. The comforter came out like new with not a spec of lint.

 

[cb526]

To those suggesting front loaders only:

I would absolutely LOVE to have a front loader, but they aren't a realistic purchase for me at the present financially. Once everything is said and done, I don't think I could purchase a front loading pair for any less than twice what I will be paying here.

As I said, I would like nothing more than to get front loaders, but given this choice, what would you do?

 

[frigilux]

Here's something very near your price range. I have this pair (mine are Frigidaire rather than Kenmore, and they have the rear control panel like a standard washer; otherwise they are the same machines.) Note: The machines are shown on pedestals, here. That would cost more, of course.

While not as cavernous as the newest designs, they will hold a load at least as large as either of the top-loader sets you're looking at.

I've seen the washer on sale (as a Frigidaire) for $549. Just a thought---something more to confuse your choice, LOL!

 

[frigilux]

And the matching dryer:

 

[jeffg]

Resale values for W/D's are next to nothing. If money was the overriding factor I'd take my chances on a second-hand set off Craigslist. Rather than spend $900 for something new (that's most likely bottom-of-the-line and/or junk), spend $300 or $400 (or maybe even less) on a good quality used set, either FL or TL. It's amazing the number of perfectly good (and often next to brand new) units that are let go for various reasons that have nothing to do with quality (home remodels, changes of decor, moving into new places that already have a W/D etc).

 

[volvoguy87]

Save money and get a better washer.

The best balance of cost to quality and performance may be a used Maytag top loader. Go to a thrift store (I especially like Habitat for Humanity Re-Stores) and find a late-model Maytag Dependable Care. They all have porcelain wash tubs, not stainless steel. They are more gentile on clothes than Whirlpool direct drives, they are extremely reliable, and they are all used now so they are also relatively cheap. A used Maytag Dependable Care would likely outlast many new washers, and it will do it for a fraction of the cost.

Think outside the Big-Box, and good luck,
Dave

 

[maytagmightyjj]

Be careful with that Maytag

That Maytag will beat the devil out of your clothes-- I have the model above that one (MTW5807-- same as MTW5800 except mine has Gold styling). Mine has a terrible seam in the Stainless tub that I am fighting with Whirlpool right now to get replaced. The model you are looking at has a porcelin waskbasket so you will be ok in that regard. But these washers use short very fast agitation except when on gentle-- On the other cycles they Slow down to gentle speed on the last 6 minutes-- but there is really nothing Gentle about them.

I had a Maytag I bought in 1996-- very good machine- I may ask the lady I gave it too -- to let me have it back.

 

[mihi]

I go with this thought for you.....

I too think you should find an older Maytag, one maybe 8 or 10 years old, and go with it. The washers are about $100 or so and the dryer about the same. Actually, getting a more modern dryer, even a new one, isn't a bad idea so that you can get the moisture sensor (I got our Kenmore new for $369 or so with the moisture sensing feature, it has been great).

If you want to go new, the sets you're thinking about sound like good ones. I like the Fisher-Paykel too, they're going for about $450 for the bottom model for the washer which we think is a great machine. They're pretty efficient and really spin the cloths out well to extract moisture prior to putting into a dryer.
Personally, I'd choose the F-P over a front-load machine, or horizontal-axis machine which is what a front-loader is.

I really like the sound of the GE hydrowave, hope it turns out to be reliable. If it does I might want to pick one up someday.
Good luck.

 

[qsd-dan]

Moister sensing feature on dryers have been around for over 40 years, so there's no reason to purchase a brand new dryer solely for that option. My 1964 Maytag DE-750 is still very accurate about shutting down at the right time. Occasionally I will pull a shirt or 2 out where the collar is ever-so slightly damp, but it's completely dry in less than 10 minutes after being on a hanger.

 

[mihi]

there are two different types of moisture sensing.....

There are two different types of moisture sensing devices on dryers. The older type not being as good as the newer much more accurate sensor. I'd have to dig back into more detailed info. to further explain, but check it out and you will see that this is the case. So basically, you can buy an older dryer but you won't have the latest moisture sensor in it as you will with the newer and better designs.

 

[mihi]

here is some more moisture sensor info.....

The best dryer moisture sensor is an electronic design that is mounted inside the drum. This moisture sensor actually contacts the clothes to accurately determine their moisture level. There are several effective designs, but one particularly effective design measures the electrical resistance through the clothes to the dryer drum. As moisture is removed from the clothes, the resistance increases for a precise dryness level.

Simpler, less expensive "automatic" moisture sensors are less accurate because they often determine the dryness of the clothes in an indirect way. For example, some just measure the exhaust air temperature to estimate the dryness of the clothes. As the clothes become drier, the exhaust air temperature increases. Regardless of the type of moisture sensor you choose, select a model with many settings to vary the dryness depending on the fabric type.

 

[gyrafoam]

IMO Get the SQ's!

Steel parts vs plastic.
3 year warranty.
American made.
Good cleaning and drying. (Washer has 710 rpm spin).