New Washer & Dryer Set Suggestions

[hobarthero]

So I’m finally getting settled in after moving with my family back into my old house. I’m looking to retire my 10 year old GE Laundry Center that has always been less than great. I’ve repaired it a million times both major and minor repairs and it’s just not something I want to continue with. I’m looking to replace it with a conventional standalone matching set unless there is a good reason to stick with the tall single laundry center style. We do a lot of large loads of laundry all the time. These will be taken care of but used hard and we need large capacity machines ideally. My other half says she wants a machine she can “soak” clothes in. I’m not familiar which or if any modern machines even have soak settings (Like my Old Maytags) anymore. I’d prefer a front loader but she prefers something that has the ability for clothes to be added after the load is already started which is obviously easier with a top load machine. I’m willing to do a top or front load machine. Fast washing options are a plus and efficient operation is great as long as we don’t sacrifice washing performance. I want something that is going to be reliable. I’m willing to pay up for this set. I am definitely going to buy new machines unless there is a used suggestion that is very convincing. I appreciate your suggestions!
-Shannon

 

[whirlykenmore78]

To put it quite simply:

The best machine on the market is the FL SQ. This is the most durable AW machine ever made for home use. I have had mine for over 6 years now and not one issue with reliability or performance. If you must have a TL the SQ TC-5003 is the only one that works as it should. Either SQ set will last 20+ years and deliver much better results than your current machine. These are both commercial/laundromat proven designs.
WK78

 

[pierreandreply4]

would also reccomend the speed queen tc5

would also reccomend the speed queen tc5

 

[appnut]

Shannon, check your AW.org message system for a note I sent you.

 

[golittlesport]

You can add items to a FL washer on most, if not all models, by pressing the "pause" button during the cycle (if you can wait five seconds for the door to unlock)

 

[rp2813]

My experience with three different makes of FL washers is that during the fill sequence and a few minutes into the wash cycle, the door will unlock quickly to add a forgotten item.  After that, the wait for the door to unlock can be as long as three minutes, which can seem like an eternity when you're standing there with one sock to add.

 

Shannon, brace yourself for an avalanche of Speed Queen recommendations, TL or FL.

 

[yogitunes]

Ralph....

your Neptune is of the 4000 series, still using the wax motor for the door lock....yeah, once you press pause it can take an eternity for that door to unlock....

on the 5000 series and up, it literally is 3 seconds after hitting pause for the door to unlock....I find myself counting 1, 2, 3, click...door open!

major advantage over the first series!....

most TL/FLers are quick to unlock, unless its in a spin mode, then it can take a while...

 

[rp2813]

Martin, as I recall, the Affinity FL was even worse.  It was a 2008 model so maybe they've improved on it since then.

 

I'm figuring that at 17 years old, my Neptune's problematic original wax motor was replaced long ago.  I guess the  motors on the 5000+ series aren't backward compatible.

 

[pierreandreply4]

if your looking into speed queen and need a soak cycle

if yoou need a soak cycle and prewash you can have those with the speed queen tr7 since you can include them to the main wash of the cycle

 

[hobarthero]

LG WT7800CW

I was wondering what everyone’s thoughts were on these LG top loaders. They receive very high marks from Consumer Reports, have modern features like WIFI connectivity, large load capacity, deep fill options etc. I’m having a hard time finding anything bad about them. I know they are an impeller machine, which many people have strong opinions about but they seem to rank high on cleaning ability as well. What do you think about it?
-Shannon

 

[combo52]

Top Load Impeller Machines

Are all hard on clothing and do not wash large items evenly and can be especially hard on large items [ I would never put my Grand Mothers quilt in one for instance ]

 

These machines also use a lot of water depending on cycles used.

 

The LG, SS, Electrolux and newer GE dryers all work well but are POS when it comes construction quality and I think after working on them they will probably only survive a few repairs because the metal is so thin.

 

John L.

 

[pierreandreply4]

if you went lg

ifyou went lg i would recommend the lg wm4100hba front load with its matching dryer this set to be precise my mom bough this set for a summer cottage to replace 17 year old maytag neptune washer dryer set

 

[kindalazy]

pix

Thanks about giving your advice in reply#2. Also would like to see what your mom's LG looks like. How did it hold up? How old are the pair? Do you remember how much your mom paid? Have you needed service? Do you have mold issues with the washer? And how long does an average 'normal' or "regular" does it take to complete a load?

 

[chachp]

Samsung Add Wash

 

<span style="font-family: helvetica;">We had the Samsung Add Wash front loader before this Miele set.  We used it for about four years but replaced it when I wanted a compact set.  And this might sound crazy to some but I wanted a set that didn't have a smoky window so I could easily see what was going on inside.  They are very big, hold a ton of clothes and cleaned pretty well.  I will say I didn't think I would use that Add Wash door as much as I did so it is a handy feature.  The dryer also had a steam function that I used more often than I thought I would for refreshing things that really didn't need a full wash cycle.  This would be a great family machine because as I mentioned it is BIG inside.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: helvetica;">It did not have a dedicated soak cycle which I missed but when I added steam to a sanitary wash my white dish towels, etc. came out really clean.  </span>

 

<span style="font-family: helvetica;">I am not a repair man so I don't know how well they hold up but in the time I used them I had no issue with them.  I sold them on eBay a few years ago.  The repair people can attest to how they hold up but I can attest to the fact that they worked well.</span>

 

[pierreandreply4]

kindalazy

in the lg they are brand new and my mom so far did 2 loads do not know if she use normal wash with turbowash or the speedwash (quickwash) cycle but so far they preform real well and the lg are at the summer cottage my mom has so info is base on what i know so far

 

[appnut]

Shannon, putting big items such as jackets, comforteres, blankets in an impeller machine they pretty much just float and kind of swirl as the tub goes back and foth. I don't perceive as being effective at cleaning. If looking at these uber size top loaders, I'd look at ones with agitators and not impellers. How tall is your wife?

 

[chachp]

How tall is your wife?

 

<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Bob, that is so funny you would ask that.  Last weekend we were in Best Buy and I was walking through the appliance dept. and one of the impeller top loaders was open and it was huge.  I remember saying to my husband, I can't imagine how some 5' tall person could reach all the way to the bottom to pull out the clothes.</span>

 

[appnut]

Well, I had some cormer coworkers tha were cursing the top load impeller washers because of not being able to easily reach the very bottom. And htis was verge bild, 5'4" or so.

 

[yogitunes]

well these same people wanted a HUGE 20 cu ft washer in a 10 cu ft box.....now complaining they can't reach the bottom....who didn't see that one coming?

same attitude as a small man in a lifted truck!....over compensating for something...

and theory has it both truck and machine are red!...go figure!

 

[jon]

I just saw

An LG top loader with a traditional agitator in it! It was pretty reasonably priced. As far as reliability is concerned LG seems to be pretty good from a foreign brand perspective though if service is needed, there may be issues getting parts timely but likely would be a rare need.

I am so torn on what I would want myself if I had to buy a new washer that I just keep my 1985 Maytag running and buy the Newton maytags used for family members when their other washers go out on them.

I got a very nice TOL Samsung front load set free from my neighbor across the street. Put it in my in laws house. It was 2 years old when I got it and apparently the washer had had some sort of service call the lady said while she had it. For my in laws, they’ve had it for at least 3 years now and it hasn’t given them any trouble and my Mother In Law says she loves it still.

Jon

 

[chaskelljr2]

New Washing Machine and Dryer recommendations for HobartHero

@ HobartHero:

For durability, longevity, and reliability…

If you’re buying new, I would also go with Speed Queen (both Top-Load and Front-Load)

Top-Load: Unless you have specific needs or reasons to buy the TR3/DR3, TR5/DR5 or the TOL TR7/DR7 (with Electronic Controls), I would just go with the TC5 series (TC5003/DC5003E or TC5003/DC5003G — “E” = Electric; “G” = Gas)

Front-Load: Any of their Front-Load sets will do.

Or otherwise, you should also give LG (Front-Load only) a look.

Speed Queens however, are commercially built and laundromat proven.

Good Luck…

—Charles—[this post was last edited: 11/22/2021-12:54]

 

[moon1234]

I’ll put a vote in for Miele W1/T1 series. We do laundry for 14 people. Have 7900 hours on the washer and close to 4500 on the dryer. Going strong.

The lack of an onboard heater in any Speed Queen would be a deal breaker for our family. They require hot water gymnastics and keeping hot water heaters at unsafe temp settings to get a true hot wash.

Miele is compact laundry so that may not be for everyone. We just bought an extra Miele W1 WXI860 about a week back to push laundry though a little faster. We do between 40-55 loads per week. Kids get days when they do their laundry.