Maytag LA211

[william8]

How long are the cycle times on these machines with the full fill rinse? My current machine I set to agitate 8-10 minutes, and the full cycle is about 30 minutes. 25 if I set it to warm as it fills twice as fast.

I figure I have a little time too decide, as no more grease/gunk has shown up after another load today. I removed the agitator to inspect. That's three regular loads after the 2 test loads.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[ea56]

Using the Normal/Heavy cycle with Auto Sense fill and hot water the cycle takes 74 mins to complete. I’ve never specifically timed the wash portion of the cycle, but I’d estimate it to be between 25-30 mins, including the fill time. The WTW4816FW that Ryne owns may have shorter cycle times using the Soil Level selector set for light to med soil. My Roper RTW4516FW doesn’t have this feature and uses max time for the wash portion of the Normal/Heavy cycle.

Using the Normal/Regular cycle the cycle time is about 34-36mins, but there is only a spray rinse. This cycle is fine for lightly soiled loads, but I prefer the longer Normal/Heavy cycle with the longer cycle time of 74 mins.

Eddie

 

[william8]

Wish I could edit, have to wait 30 minutes for a new post?

74 minutes? I knew the new machines were slower, but didn't expect that much difference. Seems like agitating the clothes that long would be hard on them.

They also have this one:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Amana-3-8-cu-ft-High-Efficiency-Agitator-Top-Load-Washer-White/5014115059
But I don't like the tub, or it's plastic bottom.

Looked at my neighbor's stainless tub (Kenmore/Whirlpool), and realised the stainless tubs on the mainstream machines aren't really stainless. Magnets stick, and they rust on the seam.

 

[appnut]

William on your old Maytag is far different than the machines like Eddie has. It doesn't agitate as virgour as you Maytag. I bet Eddie could find for you a couple of videos on Youtube that uses this design washer.

 

[ea56]

Here is one of the YT videos about these machines that was done by Lorain Furniture. You can also find several others from this link.

Eddie

 

[william8]

Did a load this morning, had a line of grease splatter under the agitator again. No spots on the clothes luckily. I think that only happens if they get sucked under the agitator plate. But it's definetily shot.

I've seen the videos on the Amana, but hadn't seen the one Eddie linked to. That was kinda scary the way he keeps harping on it lasting only 2-3 years.

I did find this video:


He tears it down, and does say the Maytag commercial machines are built better.

I was also ineterested in the Speed Queen commercial model:


44 minute cycle, that's EXACTLY like the cycle in my Maytag. Not sure if my local appliance dealer will sell either commercial machine to me. I prefer the dealer to the big box store. They match their prices, and service what they sell. It's where we got the Maytag.

 

[william8]

You have all been very helpful. I purchased a TC5003WN today, it will be delivered in a week. But I have some concerns and questions. See thread here:

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?95822_0

Thanks,

 

[ea56]

Here’s another YT video from Lorian Furniture about the lowest priced Whirlpool sourced TL washers like my Roper RTW4516FW. The commentary by Eugene is quite impressive regarding the estimated longevity of these washer’s. Based upon the usage this particular machine has received in a commerical usage setting I expect that my Roper should easily last me 10 to 15 years with the light usage of 3-4 loads a week that our machine receives. It confirms my opinion about these Whirlpool based TL’s.

Eddie

 

[ryner1988]

Reply #26

This video was what gave me the final push to give one of these washers another try. As you may or may not know, I owned one before the used direct drive I had for a while. The VMW had a problem after about 6 years where it got stuck between drain and spin. It just buzzed and sat there. Sounded exactly like it was hung up between modes.

An appliance tech told me over the phone not to even bother trying to fix the machine, that it was the gearbox that had failed and it wasn't worth repairing. After learning more about how these particular washers work, I suspect that guy didn't know what the hell he was talking about, and that it was likely the mode shifter that had failed, a relatively easy and cheap repair. I will never again take the word of a repair tech who won't even come diagnose the machine. What a crock. If I hadn't just taken his word for it and instead found someone else, it is very possible I could still be using that same washer today, as it was bought new in 2016. That whole situation also ignited in me an undeserved dislike of these machines for several years.

I think people throw these washers away too prematurely. Many components on them, such as the mode shifter, splutch, and suspension rods can easily be fixed. But since the appliance industry has designated them as throw-away machines not worth repairing, very few of them live out their full lifespans.

Ryne

 

[william8]

I did check out the Amana at the local appliance shop. I couldn't get past the way the tub moves around so easily from side to side, seemed very poorly suspended. So did the GE and Maytag/Whirlpools.

I went with a Speed Queen, as stated above. $1150, free delivery & installation, free haul away, free SQ hose extension kit ($89 retail).

Plus they service what they sell, I won't have to deal with any third party warranty work, like I would with Lowes or Best Buy.

I was really surprised. The Amana was over $600 after delivery and buying an extension.

 

[william8]

Hit post instead of preview. They dropped Whirlpool products. They said they were having trouble getting product from them during the pandemic. The Amana was a display/demo model, sold "as is". And they only had a couple commercial Maytags left.

 

[combo52]

New top load washer

Hi William, you definitely Made the better choice getting the speed Queen TC five, while the basic stuff from whirlpool is very good for the money. They are basically throwaway washers because of the low cost. People aren’t going to pay to fix them and they’re only going to have a life of 10 to 15 years.

The thing that Eddie doesn’t mention is, he’s on his second machine the first one only lasted four or five years, The main bearings failed, which would require a complete transmission change. Had he spent the money on a Speed Queen he would be money ahead compared to buying two whirlpools already.

I would still recommend a Speed Queen front load washer on a pedestal. It would pay for itself overtime, especially with an electric water heater and an electric dryer as it spins the clothes so much dryer

Nearly as good a deal would be a Maytag or whirlpool front load washer on a pedestal, they are great performers just may not have the very long life of a Speed Queen front loader instead of getting 20 to 35 years out of a washer. You only get 10 to 15 years whirlpool product.

John

 

[william8]

I like the idea of a front loader, but my wife's mother, and sister BOTH hate thiers (not Speed Queens). And they take forever, like 90 minutes.

So my wants a top loader.

And the front load Speed Queens are way too much money.

 

[Chetlaham]

Speed Queen front loaders and many other US front loaders are fundamentally flawed in not having an onboard heater. A good (real) front load washers allow the wash water to be gradually heated to a user selected temperature/cycle. Also the fact the in long runs the water fill might enough up room temperature when selected to hot.  A Speed Queen top load washer gives you a real unadulterated hot wash. 

 

Another thing I want to point out about the TC5- they do a great wash cycle in about 25 minutes. TR washer takes at least 60 minutes (cycle + heavy wash option) to achieve mediocre wash results. Given that you'd need more detergent to get reasonable results, you'd need an extra rinse (12minutes 30 seconds) you're basically flirting with a 90 minute wash.  

 

[combo52]

Speed Queen front load washers

Are kind of in a class by themselves and they’re faster, my newer Speed Queen only takes 65 minutes on the heavy cycle with a pre-wash and an added third rinse.

There are short cycles that only take about 35 minutes for things that are lightly soiled.

I understand though getting along with ones spouse that’s probably the most important thing and the Speed Queen is quite expensive and it’s overkill for anybody over 60 years old. You’ll never wear it out.

I have four front load washers hooked up at my home and six top loaders , the front loaders get almost all the use Two of them have Boosted heat cycles. I’ve tried them several times. They don’t do anything that as far as having cleaner laundry just seems to be a waste of time and electricity.

Approximately 80% of front load washer sold in the United States have booster heaters. I can tell you from experience that almost no one ever uses them among our customer base most people don’t even know they have such a setting if I pointed out to them

If you have a decent supply of hot water and you know how to use the machine, there’s no reason for a heater in a front load washing machine just another thing to go wrong possibly fry the main board.

John

 

[Chetlaham]

Front Load Washers With Heaters

I strongly have to disagree with this statement: "They don’t do anything that as far as having cleaner laundry just seems to be a waste of time and electricity."

 

 

 

The best clothes washing results on earth by far take place when cold water is gradually heated up to a select temperature over a period of time. This lets detergents work in stages treating all soil types in the process. European detergent are formulated and have been perfected to work in gradually heated water validating the concept many times over. Further there are tremendous energy efficiency gains by heating a small amount of water inside the horizontal access tub rather than idling a large tank while heat is wasted away in piping. The same benefits of cleaning and energy efficiency can and should be stretched to US front loaders.

 

 

 

If everyone were like me all US front loaders would have at at least a 1500 watt built in heater that would be used in all cycles except a dedicated cold wash only setting. Water would be heated from tap cold to somewhere between 70*F and 195*F depending on the fabric type. Otherwise would be inconceivable, even BOL machines would offer targeted water heating. I hope the day comes when when nearly all cycle start using the onboard heater.


 

 

Relying on an external water heater (in a front load washer) is a pointless waste of energy. By the time the cold water is pushed out of the pipes and hot water enters the tub where it becomes diluted the wash water is much cooler than the setting of the water heater, if not lukewarm, defeating the intended purpose.

 

[combo52]

Reply number 34

I have yet to see any consumer testing agency suggest any other things that you are saying are true machines clean beautifully in water around 100° with modern detergents hotter Water is just a waste of energy and hard on the clothing.

Sorry Chet, you just can’t make up things to suit yourself.

John

 

[Chetlaham]

If you choose to ignore 80% of the testing agencies, manufacturing and consumer market around the globe yes I may (key word) may agree with you're stance. Till then all the data says onboard water heating is superior. 

 

 

I'd also like to hear how you're going to get 35*F cold water in a winter climate to get to 100*F without an onboard heater. 

 

[william8]

You get it to 130 easily with a water heater.

I am in a winter climate, but the well is 90' feet deep. Newer wells are 180' minimum. Water is about 50 degrees year round. Whether it's 95 outside, or 10 degees outside.

 

[ozzie908]

A hot fill machine is a novelty here.

We don't use hot cycles often anymore and as our water is heated as we use it it makes no sense to have a hot fill unless you have free hot water of course!

Most of our washers heat from cold ok I know we have 220v as standard but its horses for courses your machines and detergent work very different to ours.

Having had a SQ FL which was wired for 2x2000 watt heaters as it was meant to be hard wired into 30amp supply I simply removed the 1 heater from the relay switch it took a little longer but that was beneficial to the wash cycle,It used to hold the time while it heated which was necessary as it was connected to cold fill only via a Y piece.

The Sani cycle is brilliant for removing stains from whites I cannot imagine never using it but this is my opinion only your milage may vary...