Need Help Picking a New FL Set

[decodriveboy]

Hi all! Anyone have experience with GE Ultrafresh models?

We are in the market for a new matching set as our Speed Queen dryer bit the dust and my husband refuses to give the brand another try, though the washer still works great.

I’d love any recommendations on a new front loading set. My main concern is having a sufficient water level / or at least a cycle which uses adequate amount of water. (Brand and model number please?) Internal heater and tub light would be great too.

I’d really like to get a Miele set but I worry about the 120 volt dryer taking too long. But open to all suggestions!

 

[henene4]

Would personally just replace the dryer since the washer still runs.
Just cause it's cheaper - so at least sell the washer.

But I think that has been discussed in your other thread...

In general, best in terms of wash results and laundry care appear to be the ELux TOL series.

They aren't fast, but wash best in class and their dryers are very gentle.

If it's just about speed with decent results, LGs are the way to go.

They are not best in any one category, but overall very strong performers and FAST.

A model with TurboWash360 has the new inverter pumps (incredibly quiet) and washes really fast.
When TurboWash is selected water levels in the rinses are great and you can always add a rinse.

Their downfall are temps - getting "true" temps takes a bit of fiddeling.
You can get very hot washes, but getting a "medium hot" 120-140F appears to be rather difficult.

Both are good machines with different strengths and drawbacks.
LGs are far more common so more feedback about them, but the ELux have been top scoring for years as well and haven't heard much bad about them.

 

[panasonicvac]

Go with LG

I just had a service technician come fix our LG washer and he says that LG is still the best out there. He'd take a LG over any Speed Queen, Whirlpool, etc. Plus we've been really pleased with ours, I'd buy LG again if we had to get another set today.

 

[logixx]

Have seen videos of the recent GEs and what I saw was very lackluster. No recirculation, no spray rinse, if there are spins between the rinses (there hardly seem to be) they are slow, while the final spin is very long. Others have shown mold growing in the Microban door seal.

The LGs seem to do everything the GEs don't. I guess achieving water temperatures between warm and extra hot is difficult with any of the US washers.

The Electrolux washers are very nice as well. For me, a firm believer in thorough rinsing, the use of the extra rinse button would be obligatory for the same reasons that apply to the GE (short or lacking spins during the cycle).

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[kb0nes]

Replacing that functioning SpeedQueen front loader with anything else would be an epic mistake. It will likely outlast several of anything else.

I don't recall what happened to the dryer, but it certainly can be fixed, although their dryers aren't necessarily the best of the best.

Some of it comes down to if you must have matching appliances. I'm soundly a form follows function person so it doesn't matter to me. I just can't see hemorrhaging money for something that doesn't matter (to me).

 

[ea56]

Phil

The OP’s washing machine isn’t a SQ FL, its a SQ TL AWN432.

 

I would agree with you though that just replacing the dryer would be smartest.  But I can understand that some may prefer to have a matching set, especially of their machines are in an area, other than a dedicated laundry closet that makes them visible.

 

Eddie

 

[mark_wpduet]

I have to say that LG with turbo wash...but I agree the Elux looks good (but for some reason they don't put a coin trap (kind of important).. And from what I've seen, the LG's are the easiest to work on should a repair be needed in the future.

As for temps... there may be fiddling...but at least it IS possible with some fiddling.

I'm really surprised they don't get as good of ratings as the Lux because the wash/rinse action looks so much better..

 

[decodriveboy]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. We decided to go with the LG WM8900 set. The reasons were mainly for the capacity. They will be delivered and installed by end of next week and I’ll share some photos.

I really wanted a Miele set but they are so tiny and the 120V condenser set up scares us thinking it would not be able to serve our needs. If I were a single person I would have done it.

We also went with the LG for the drum light, internal heater, and Turbo Wash feature. Seems that it also may be easier to do a water pressure switch adjustment on them to raise the water level too? Hope so!!

 

[nmassman44]

Before you go ahead and think about fiddling with the water levels in the new washer…see if it meets your needs first. I have an LG WM4000 that uses plenty of water and the TurboWash feature works quite well. You will find that the water levels in the wash cycle will be lower but that is to concentrate the detergent solution. Rinsing is superb since each spin uses a spray rinse and followed by a deep rinse. The water level will come to the bottom of the door boot and you can add up 3 extra rinses of if you like. The washer should have AI built into it as well. It will only work with Normal and Bright Whites cycles. At least in my machine that is how it is set up. Also connecting it to the internet will allow LG to diagnose an issue and also do software updates if needed. You will love this choice of washer. The dryer is superb and is very quick. Drying is spot on with the Normal cycle. It uses AI and adjusts the heat as the load dries much like Whirlpool’s Gentle /Soft heat so loads don’t over dry. I use that cycle for everything. LG’s are very well made in my opinion and they are reliable.

 

[appnut]

The towels cycle uses the most water. It also gives you 3 rinses.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Hey appnut. Glad you're still liking your LG... the moment my duet dies that's the one I'm getting.... I'm not sure which model...but definitely one with turbo wash.

Poster: I'm glad you're getting the LG....Hope you like it.. Getting a new washer in 2023 is so hard because everything is so sketchy! I've seen videos of modern washers in action on youtube and a lot of them I would only want to have if I was totally desperate.

I did come across a video of a recent whirlpool FL washer video...I was a little impressed with the recirculation... It was almost like a fan spray...but I swear it used so little water in wash/rinse/rinse (same levels on all of them)..You would think they would give at least a little more water in the rinses...but not at all from what I could tell. Perhaps it was the cycle chosen and it could possibly be different on other cycles... I don't know.. Also, the whirlpool/maytag with wash plates just don't seem to have as good of wash action as the samsung/LG/GE with wash plates...at least from the videos I've seen...and some of the HE top loaders that have an agitator looked awful..but then a few of them looked pretty good. For example: I saw two GE washers with an agitator. One of them, the agitator looked like one piece, while the other looked two piece.. similar to the dual action agitator..

 

[powerfin64]

Yes Bob...

Our machine does by default, but you can add 2 extra rinses for a total of 5 rinses.

I like the towel cycle, I use it also for jeans, does great. I do wish the finial spin was a touch longer.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

GE "ultrafresh"

The GE "ultrafresh" seems like a scam. As Logixx stated above, he's seen mold growing on the seal. Don't fall for that scam.[this post was last edited: 8/5/2023-16:21]

 

[mark_wpduet]

True... but if washer manufacturer designs something into the machine to inhibit mold/smells... It wouldn't stop me from buying it whether that part worked or not, because I would continue to do what I've always done.. Most people on here don't have mold issues...It's so freaking easy to keep that from happening..the only thing I would see being and issue "possibly" is if the washer is not in a climate controlled area... a house that doesn't have AC in a humid area..

 

[combo52]

Best new frontload pair

In terms of performance, reliability and easy to repair is easily a speed, queen pair.

Next best would be something from Maytag or whirlpool. These are also union built in the United States.

I will not buy Chinese built machines notice LG Samsung and GE all have a high percentage of Chinese components, some of them are outright built and assembled there.

John

 

[nmassman44]

Well LG and Samsung machines are designed in Korea and my LG washer was built here in the USA in TN. Many of the components are made here as well. Whirlpool/Maytag also have components made in China but if you look at the relabilty that LG has ...Whirlpool cant even come close. Now Speed Queens are way overpriced for what one gets ...no water heater in the washer and the dryer lacks in so many ways for the price. Everyone has their opinions about certain brands and this is mine.

 

[powerfin64]

I completely agree with Mike

owning the 4200 set, been completely satisfied with them. I choose LG for the same reasons Mike said, which are important to me.
this is my opinion and view also.

 

[appnut]

And I "3rd" Mike and Rich's comments/reasons as the same as mine. I too have the 4200 set.

 

[panasonicvac]

Ours is the WM8100HVA along with the matching DLEX8100V electric dryer. We've been really pleased with them. Best laundry set we've ever had in our house.