looking for a new "laundry center"

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nikan

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Jan 8, 2017
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Hi everybody, I had a Kenmore one piece washer-dryer (dubbed the "laundry center" (?)) and the washer part had a major leak and I think it is time to get a new one. This Kenmore lasted at least 12 years and from reading reviews about the current "laundry centers" available today, it seems that they just do not make them to last anymore.

I was wondering if anybody can recommend me a reliable brand and model. I am not looking for anything fancy- I plan to live in this house for another 5 years top so if it can run with minimal troubles until then that would be a blessing.

Thank you and have a great week!
 
I'm not sure which (if any?) Brands are still building one-piece "laundry center" washer and dryers, but most if not all front loading washer and dryer pairs can be easily stacked with a stacking kit available from the manufacturer. So if you're open to a front loading pair (and have the space) for the front loading washer door to open and preferably stay open between loads, you have a lot of options out there. I've heard a lot of good things about LG (also makes Kenmore) and Whirlpool (also makes Maytag). You would likely be happier with a mid to high range model that provides a heater (can usually be identified by a Sanitary or Sanitize cycle on the washer), since new washers tend to limit hot water intake (meaning lower wash temps, possibly poor cleaning) but that can be totally eliminated by a heating option which will give you a super hot wash. Also, stacking a pair gives you the option of separating them if you move to a different home later on, so they can be used side by side. Any current front loading pair will likely give you much larger capacity than your current all in one unit as well.
 
I've had an LG made front loading washer/dryer that are stacked for the last nearly 4 years. No problems at all.
 
I know Whirlpool and Frigidaire still make them...but I also know they don't make them like they used to.  My mother has a 23 year old Maytag setup...and we hope it lives forever because she doesn't want a frontloader setup.
 
There is also that a Frigdaire one piece unit with the dryer on top and washer on the bottom. Not the best of units but mine is going on 8 years with no problems.
Washes pretty well and dryer does its thing. You may have the same issue that I do and that is only a 240v connection in the laundry closet. Don't know if there are other manufacturers that still make these. This a top loading washer by the way.

Jon
 
Top load laundry centers

A 12-year-old Kenmore laundry center was either made by Frigidaire or whirlpool They made them and 24 and 27 inch wits, the 24 inch models were made and 120 V dryer's gas dryers and 240 V dryer's.

 

The 27 inch wide models were made and gas and 240 V versions If you look at the model number inside the dryer door on your current machine if it starts 110 it's a whirlpool if it starts 417 it was a Frigidaire product.

 

Usually a severe leak in the washer is a minor problem that can be fixed on most of these machines unless you've had professional look at it  you maybe throwing away $1500 on a new machine.

 

The best current machines that are similar to this are the whirlpool 24 and 27 inch wide machines. The second best machines would be the 27 inch Frigidaire stacks, I would avoid at all costs the GE in the current Kenmore's as they're generally made by GE and they're not holding up well at all.

 

It's generally a poor idea to stack a front load washer and dryer in a closet there are almost impossible to install properly and work on, if you want to front-load stack get the speed queen one piece unit.
 
The new Frigidaire and Kenmore have no agitators anymore. They have the actuators like the new top loading models they make. There are two different models. Both are available in gas or electric and cost around $1300. The cheaper ones have all plastic tub and actuator. The more expensive ones have a stainless steel drum and plastic actuator. My views of them were that ,if I had to have one,the fls would be my choice. That would be because the washer part is too big for the small dryer capacity (5 cut.ft.) and is the older Westinghouse style. Sears has a front loading Frigimore set retailing for $999/set and the dryer comes with the stacking kit needed to make one out of two. I have the washer and ,though I prefer LG over Electrolux, it does a good job and spins about fourteen hundred RPM. for the final spin. The washer is a 4.3 cut.ft.and the dryer is a 7.1 cut.ft. Both are stainless steel drum interiors and the dryer has sensor dry. Great buy for under a grand.
 
thanks for all your replies. It's 27 in wide, the model number starts with 417 so I guess it was a Frigidaire. It was there when I moved in so I guess it must be at least 12 years old.

I didn't think the leak was a big issue either. But apparently the people I hired one after another could not get it fixed. The water leaked through the ceiling downstairs as the washer was churning. And for the life of me, I do not see why you would want a washer upstairs.

I will take picture of my laundry closet and post it once I have a chance. I somehow feel that there is going to be issue fitting a stackable in. And I didn't even know about the 240 volt things. What do you do if the closet does have a 240 volt jack?
 
240V jacks are for machines that operate off of electric only. A stack unit that has a gas dryer in it will be plugged into a 110V socket and have a gas line running to the dryer.
 
Leaking FD Built TL Stack W&D

Hi Nikan, If the leak is caused by the washer it should be very easy to see, the washer front panel comes off and it should be easy to see, there is at least a good chance that the drain hose is cracked or not in the drain stand pipe completely, or even the drain stand pipe is backing as the washer drains.

 

If water is leaking from above the transmission from the main seal buy a new washer.
 
Hi, I don't mean to deviate from the topic and will look into each option as I get around too. In the mean time, can anyone give me some thoughts on this combo:

http://www.costco.com/Whirlpool-2.5...n-in-White-|-WET4027EW.product.100283653.html

(In case the link doesn't work, it is a laundry center from whirlpool, model WET4027EW from costco. It is $1,249.99 with $160 square trade warranty to extend the total warranty to 5 years- I have no ideas how reliable the warranty is but it seems to be the cheapest option taken into account free shipping, installation and haul away and some sort of extended protection).

I was surprised to see some recommendations for whirlpool brands. I had a whirlpool refrigerator that died within a year so I am kind of scared away from that brand.
 
as long as you are aware, this is an HE washing machine.....H2Low water levels, dubbed down water temps...could be a bit of a shock if your not used to this new way of washing.....

best to figure out exactly what power supply, and/or gas, setup you have before ordering.....

if it is a 220 hookup, is it a 3 or 4 prong outlet?, separate items that must be purchased separately...

for almost any second floor installations, a drain pan should be installed to prevent any water damage...some installers may insist on certain requirements, otherwise they wont install the unit....just save yourself time and headaches ahead of time...
 
New WP 27" Laundry Center

This is not an HE machine, it has been modifed to make it more energy effishent, but it still fills with water to wash clothing, we sell several of these ever month, it uses the same DD washer mechesiam that has been used in over 100 million washers built by WP since 1981.

You can likley use the corset from the old machine, in any case the delverly folks will have a new cord if needed.

As to wheather to install in a pan that might be up to local codes, but unless you are going to construck a real shower-base type of drain pan [ plumbed to a drain ] I would skip the cheap plastic pans, they do very little good, they catch dirt, look ugly, hamper servcing the machine and usally have cracks and holes in them long before they are ever needed.
 
thanks, when you say "stacked" = a laundry center? So do most of you agree that the machine I post is probably the "best" regular (as in non-HE and require minimal maintenance) laundry center to be have under $1500? My old Kenmore- you basically just throw the clothes in, turn the dial and forget about it until it is done. I want something like that.

As far as installation requirements, is the pan installed underneath the floor where the washer is on? If plastic one is not good what should it be? How do I know if I already have one?

Many thanks again
 

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