LG Front Load Washer

[trappn]

Getting Closer To A Decision.........

We've finally been able to see all three 4000-series washers in person. Like powerfin64, we'd probably go with the 4200 over the 4000 if it was between those two. The idea of a larger tub doesn't bother us, anymore.

We're actually starting to lean towards the 4500. Our thinking is the automatic dispensing would allow us to take full advantage of the AI.

The reviews are correct about the door. The window is 100% plastic & feels cheap, where the other models went to tempered glass. Don't know whether this was to keep the door weight down, a cost-cutting measure, or if it makes the clothes easier to see with the drum light on.

Main thing we're not sure about is the black color. It's beautiful, but we're afraid of scratches.

No sign of any LG Memorial Day sale, yet, and that's the main thing we're waiting for. Thanks.

 

[powerfin64]

your heading in the right direction

I've been very happy with my 4200 set. it does everything I want and more.

If you use liquid detergent, the 4500 set would be excellent. I too,

wasn't overly impressed with the Black steel color, yes that was a deal breaker

for me. I both liquid and powder detergents of choice.

Keep watching for sales, they do pop up time to time. you will need to purchase

a Steam-dryer hose kit if you plan on using the steam function on the dryer.

I have used the steam function on the washer and dryer 1 time, liked the

results so far.

 

[egress]

the steam function on the dryer is wonderful to have, it makes towels extremely fluffy. we found that using powder detergent leaves our whites whiter than using a liquid detergent, and have also heard that it will help keep the washer cleaner than using solely liquid detergent.

 

[trappn]

Thanks for the replies.......

Powdered detergent isn't readily available around here, so we'd probably have to order it.

The LG dryer will have a tough act to follow. The sensors on the Whirlpool have worked perfectly for 28 years; however, the option of side-venting would appeal to us, assuming the newer models still allow for this. Thanks.

 

[egress]

Sensor dry on our dryer works pretty well. for bulky items such as duvet covers make sure they aren't bunched up, as the sensor is actually on the lint filter. I finally found it yesterday by sticking my head in the drum and looking around, and its just the 2 electrical contacts, similar to most dryers that have sensor dry today.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Well the 4000 doesn't have turbo wash......I think the 4200 is the least you can spend if you want turbo wash. I only use powdered detergent. If I had to buy a new washer today, I'm pretty sure I would either choose the 4200 OR the Electrolux.. Also, I'm done with pedestals. They are way too expensive and I don't mind bending....besides, my dryer is a standard whirlpool dryer that my current duet (on a pedestal) towers over.

 

[trappn]

Sensor dry.......

Seems like most of the LG dryer concerns involve the reliability of the dryness sensors. Wonder why?

 

[powerfin64]

4000

has turbo wash. 4000, 4200, 4500 all have turbo wash. I have not ever had a

problem with sensor drying cycles. adjust the dryness control if a load is not

dry enough. Just don't get carried away with using

over abundance of fabric softeners, and keep your exhaust hose cleared out and

lint filter clean, should not have a concern with sensor reliability.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Oh sorry, My quick search turned up the 4000 did not have turbo wash..I should have looked further.

 

[powerfin64]

turbo wash models

are: 3900, 4000, 4200, 4500, 8100, 9000, 9500. But models that have turbo wash

360 are: 3900, 4000, 4200, 4500( 4 recirculating jets) the rest of the

models: 8100, 9000, 9500 only have 2 recirculating jets, that's the difference.

no harm done Mark.

 

[appnut]

I looked on the LG and Home Depot web sites and both indicated the door window was made of glass.

 

[trappn]

appnut.......

Am I correct in that there seems to be an inner window that may be made of glass, and an outer window that is plastic? Whatever is on the outside is extremely flimsy compared to the other models. Thanks.

 

[appnut]

I have no idea.

 

[panasonicvac]

We have the 8100, I can confirm that it does have the two turbo recirculating jets wash feature. It's been impressive overall. If I had to buy another LG, it would be the same one again. I like the capacity that it holds, I can easily fit a kind size comforter in there. I think it cleans great. And I really think that it's a cool looking washer. But if I had to pick a different washer, it would be the Speed Queen.

Mark,

When I was living down in the red rock desert a couple years ago, I was using a Crosley front loader for a few months. When it started to have problems, instead of fixing it, we replaced it with a brand new Electrolux. Boy did I hated that new washer, my only regret was we should've fixed the Crosley as I thought it did WAY better than the Lux. Until Electrolux redesigns their front load washers, I will never be using a new Lux front load washer ever again.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Wow - even the 3900 has turbo wash? I remember back when Turbo was was 2 jets but it still looked like this did a great job from the videos I've seen. It's funny on Home Depot's site, they say nothing (unless I missed it) in the highlights about it even having turbo wash. I don't think the 3900 has a heater tho..which would explain the $799 price. The 4000 is $999 and it has a heater.

I know that if/when I do end up getting a new FL (it may still be years) my Duet does NOT want to die.. each time I use it I wonder if that's gonna be the day it dies. I don't see how it could possibly go much longer and we are going on 17 years....but I will be getting water hammer arrestors for it because I know they can make noise with the on/off water

 

[mark_wpduet]

@panasonic

Sorry I just noticed you mentioned that about the Lux. The thing I hate about Lux is they don't have a coin trap.....but I thought the wash action was decent and had recirculation an great reviews from what I read. Since I'm the only one that does laundry and diligently check pockets I figured it wouldn't be a big deal...what was it about the Lux you didn't like? I still am steered more to any LG model that has a heater/turbo wash more so than Lux. Whirlpool puts me off as they are cutting even more corners than the other companies...to the point that they can't even have freaking glass on the inside window.

 

[eurekastar]

3900 Heater

The 3900 does have a heater and provides Extra Hot water on a few cycles, as well as providing a steam option. 

 

[panasonicvac]

Mark

It didn't clean as well as I thought it would, uses less water, some clothes would get stuck in the drum seal, and it was VERY NOISY during the spin cycles. This was the washer that I took a photo of.

 

[egress]

electrolux...

washers are ok. they don't have the different tumbling motions like LG does, and their recirc jet is a single one at the top of the tub.

As for the doors on the 3900/4000 etc, they are glass on the inside with a tinted plastic panel on the outside, which i believe you can remove by disassembling the door, though I haven't attempted this. I can confirm the 3900 definitely has a heater, and it gets *hot* during cycles that use steam or have the extra hot selected. the entire drum fogs up and it wont unlock the door until its cooled down enough.

 

[trappn]

the 4500 inner glass......

has a plasticky "ring' to it when tapped with our knuckles. The outer plastic is so flimsy you'd think it might vibrate while the machine is in operation.

The other 4000-series models definitely sound like glass, when tapping with our knuckles. Maybe that's one of the difference between glass & tempered glass?

The spec sheets don't always tell the whole story. This is why we make it a point to see & touch the actual machines, before ordering.

 

[powerfin64]

originally I was dead set on getting the 3900 set, it had everything I wanted,

but found out 3900 was discontinued and replaced with 4000.(I even contacted LG

about it) then last minute I decided for the 4200 set mainly for the efficiency rating.

I do have hammer arrestors on my- 2 per line(on the machine and at facet) which

really does stop the water hammering. I might replace one of them at the machine

due it its older. but I think they are very much needed to stop the water

hammering of pipes.

They all have a plastic door covering to protect from the heat cycles and

the window are all glass of some sort. the plastic does make it very hard to

see going on inside! but its a safety measure for the consumer.

 

[panasonicvac]

In case anyone is interested

After posting on here, I went back to LG's website and I found the latest ratings from Consumer Reports on their front load washers.

3900, 4000, 3400, 3500, and 3600 got "86" which is the highest score from CR

9000 got "85"

9500 and 3700 got "84"

3997 got "83"

8100 got "82"

4200 and 4500 got "80"

If anyone is interested in seeing the scores for themselves from CR, you're welcome to go to LG's front load washers page.

https://www.lg.com/us/front-load-washers

 

[trappn]

Just Trying To Get As Much Information......

.....before we buy.

For all we know, the glass has always been tempered. Hard to say what's real, or just marketing.

Best Buy is the only place, locally, where all three 4000-series can be seen at a glance. Today, salesman stated the Memorial Day sale will begin on the 20th.

We're probably going with the WM4200 washer. Just not sold on the matching dryer, unless deep discounts are offered.

For some reason, we're not anticipating any deep discounts. Thanks.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I kept going

to HomeDepot's site and I totally would check features/model # and then I would remember the model # wrong (LOL)

I didn't realize the 3900 was discontinued. It looks like the 4000 would be my choice if I had to buy one today (but I don't)

Matching dryers: This used to be a big deal to me but it is no longer. For me, I'd rather have the dryer I want and the washer I want and just get the same color (white) and hopefully similar height. I think the standard top screen WP dryers are the best. I'm sure other dryers are great too, I just like these the best because of their design.

About the Electrolux: Yep - that's the one I was thinking about. Glad you let me know you weren't thrilled by it.

 

[combo52]

Doors On FL Washers

The inner glass doors are not tempered glass, when they break it breaks in dangerous sharp pieces.

 

The outer plastic covers are just for styling not safety,Even on the heat cycles the washer glass only gets to the 150F range, not hot enough to hurt anyone, parts on the fronts of dryers get hotter than that and the front doors on ovens are allowed to get to 200F.

 

Better FL washers like Miele, Speed Queen and Asko do not do that BS on their washers.

 

 

John L.

 

[trappn]

To add to the confusion.......

The WM4000 & 4200 have a "Tempered Glass" label on the window; so, if you were inclined to change the hand of the door, the lettering would be upside down. For this eventuality, LG has provided labels.

Nothing like this on the 4500, so consumers are understandably confused. The automatic dispensing would be nice, but not that nice. Also, we don't feel comfortable paying a premium for the black color we don't want.

Can't wait to take possession of our new "white" WM4200. Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[powerfin64]

Wonderful!

Glad to hear you'll be getting a 4200! I bought a white color set, very pleased

with it. Keep us informed about it.

 

[trappn]

Will Do.....

Maybe we'll start a club. Thanks!

 

[powerfin64]

Did you..

also purchase the matching dryer also?

 

[mark_wpduet]

Yes and remember

If you use the normal cycle......I can't confirm...but most energystar ratings are based on the normal cycles, so that might be the worst cycle to choose. But then again, this is an LG, they tend to work well from the wash action cycles I've seen. They also do a big time spray rinse, but I'm not sure which cycles this happens on....but the spray rinses in ADDITION to interim spins (at least on most cycles I've seen) The spray rinse looked like it worked GREAT