About this washer...
Many people on this board trade washers like most people trade out their cell phones.
I have nothing to gain or lose by posting this. I don’t sell or repair washers for a living nor do I get an incentives for anything I may post. However, I am an actual consumer of this product with real experience, and I try to buy things I can fix myself.
This washer just works and has for over two years for all types of loads for my kid and pet friendly house from the messiest outdoor wear to delicates. It has a dual-action agitator. This means not only does the tub and agitator move independently but so does the top and bottom of the agitator. This results in a wash action that moves the clothes down, in, and through the water much better. Compared to these agitator washers where the only the tub and agitator move in different directions or especially the plate washers, there is no contest when it comes to really dirty or bulky clothes. This washer got even got out a noticeable amount of dirt an LG front load left behind. The LG FL wasn’t a bad washer, but it simply could not move the bulkier item through the water instead it just tumbled the folded item through the water.
All main cycles have true tap hot water if selected. The biggest quirk is the only half tub fill for smaller washes is the Normal cycle. There is no true “hot” for it. It is the only cycle that mixes in cold when hot is selected resulting in a barely warm wash. You can thank the well-intentioned but poorly researched energy regulations passed for this. Now it takes more water, chemicals, time, and energy to do these loads because there is no water level selector now. There is one advantage though. Consumers are now more heart healthy as they have found ways to haul buckets of hot water or device their own methods to add hot water to that cycle just as I have
.
The Normal eco cycle also has a spray rinse, but it surprisingly works well. Don’t like it. Simple just run two normal cycles one with detergent and one without. You’ll still be under an hour. In fact without any options chosen, Normal cycle is 25 minutes (great for small loads/quick washes). The longest cycle is Powerwash at 45 minutes. Presoak is ten minutes, if added. You’re still under an hour for ANY load.
Need to pause the washer longer than ten minutes. Just make sure the lid is closed and keep it closed. Soak away! Or disable the lid lock, which is not recommended for household with small children, disabled adults, or curious pets that may be able to access washer.
Nothing is made of quality anymore. Instead it is about selling more in less time because people want cheap stuff. The result is these throwaway designs are filling up our landfills quickly. You see this throwaway design on tires, batteries, printers, and appliances.
Almost all are only made to last ten years or less. This one will probably last closer to ten years for the person who uses it right. It is not a commercial washer despite its name.
They all have control boards behind those mechanical looking knobs. This Maytag has one and the SQ TC5 has TWO.
I think the SQ TC5 is overall better but you pay for that. However, I don’t think it is years better. Its life will be limited also by bearing and not being able to find those control boards later. SQ does not make their truly best washer anymore, which were the mechanical ones. They do have a better balancing system, but wash like items with like items and you’ll have no problem with the Maytag either.
The Maytag has a parts and labor warranty that is good for FIVE years INCLUDED in its price. The SQ TC5 has a three year. SQ is going forward with it TR series model. This model is geared toward office and delicate wear clothing. I can do that with my less than $200 portable washer. It may not last a long but I can just buy them more often, if needed. The TC5, which washes other types of clothes better, probably won’t be available much longer due to upcoming stricter upcoming energy regulations (unless that has changed).
The vertical modular design does make it easier for the consumer to replace parts. This washer shares its parts with many of Maytag’s true commercial (not commercial technology) washers, so hopefully they’ll be cheaper and easier to find later. This “commercial” washer does have upgraded capacitor, belt, motor, bearings, etc. when compared to the commercial technology models.
There is no justification for the pricier SQ dryer.
When this washer breaks and it is no longer feasible to repair, I am hoping thomasortega will have still have some simple mechanical washers that will fit my needs and maybe some new designs to consider as well. At least one manufacturer is listening.
