New Washer

[countryguy]

A friend of mine just had her top loader die on her this morning. It is more than 20 years old (she doesn't even remember the brand but definitely not Maytag) so she is looking for a replacement. She is electronically challenged so the controls needs to be easy to use. I'm thinking she should stay away from a top loader and go with a front loader, either a Maytag or LG. Any suggestions as to make/model? She lives alone, does an average of 3 loads a week.

Thanks.

Gary

 

[appnut]

You know as well as the rest of us that appreciate front loaders, she needs one with an onboard heater to make sure water isn't too cold.  For Maytag that's a MHW6630 and LG a WM3900.  

 

[countryguy]

Her hot water is very very hot and the washing machine is located about 4 feet from the water heater. She does not want or need a machine with steam...just something that is going to be reliable and relatively easy to use. Like I said, she is very electronically challenged...she has trouble operating the remote for her satellite TV

 

[stricklybojack]

.
I would opt for a basic LG front loader.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

3 loads a week

She is probably better off going and finding a decent used top loader.
If she wants a simple and cheap machine for light use, thats the route I would go.
Since she only does three loads weekly, buying a new front loader would take very long to have any payoff. If she is going for better cleaning and gentleness and can afford a new more expensive machine, I agree with all the aforementioned comments. Good luck!

 

[ea56]

I absolutely agree with lakewebsterkid in reply #4. Furthermore I’d ask her what she wants most in a washing machine. How old is your friend? If she’s older and even has trouble with remotes an FL with electronic controls is not going to be user friendly for her at all.

Now I know as I type this that most members here are going to disagree with me, but I would suggest she get either a Roper BOL TL or an Amana BOL TL. They are both identical, the only difference is the paint color on the control panels and for some reason the Amana has a higher customer rating than the Roper, but they are the same otherwise. I have the Roper and I love it. There is an option to either have deep fill like a traditional TL or energy saving and water saving Auto Sense fill, which I use primarily.

These are machines that she will be able to use immediately with no learning curve. I had a BOL LG FL, and I think she may be very unhappy with this machine. Too many work arounds to get enough water and hot enough water. And too temperamental in getting the machine to spin, plus very long cycle times.

This would be my advice to a friend or neighbor.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Roper-3-5-cu-ft-High-Efficiency-Top-Load-Washer-White/1000074111

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Search/...-amana+washer?Ntx=mode+matchpartialmax&NCNI-5

Eddie

 

[countryguy]

She does not want to buy used and she is not against spending a little more for quality for something that will last. She is 66 years old. I am thinking that she should get a machine with an internal heater even though her water is hot as the water will cool with long cycle times. I'm in Canada so model numbers are different. So far I am looking at

LG WM1388HW $1045
Maytag MHW5630HW $995
Electrolux EFLS527UIW $1045

 

[rosie]

I noticed that you are from near North Bay. I would suggest you tell her to go with a Whirlpool brand washer. Servicing would be much simpler. The Korean brands are poorly represented outside the major centres. I live in the Niagara region and there is only one service shop for LG to serve 450,000 people. As to a model type, stick with what you know, a simple top load agitator machine.

 

[appnut]

Gary, the 5630 is a good machine.  At least it has an internal heater.  The Normal/Regular cycle is the stingiest with water and even if hot is selected, it cools down very qu8ickly--I don't use that cycle unless it's a small load and still even select hot to get tepid or warm at least.  If she ever wants true hot, she'll have to select Whites, Towels, or Heavy Duty with hot temp and heaviest soil level to allow heater to heat the water.  She can adjust temp and soil level on those cycles and still have the heater supplement on warm if it becomes necessary.  

 

[yogitunes]

what about a plain Roper machine like this....still made by Whirlpool, not a transmission machine, but still a long stroke agitation.....and at least standard basic controls.....

Kirk even has a video for this style....

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Roper-3-5-cu-ft-High-Efficiency-Top-Load-Washer-White/1000074111

 

[ea56]

Martin I Guess Great Minds Think Alike LOL

this is exactly the machine I recommended and I posted the same link, along with the link for the Amana too. And Eugene of Lorraine Furniture’s videos were a large part of my making this decision and I haven’t regretted it.

Its a very basic machine and in 14 months of use I’ve yet to be disappointed. I leave it on Normal/Regular, Auto Sense, Hot water for most every load and just add the detergent, load the clothes, close the lid and press start and 35 mins later have beautifully washed, rinsed and spun laundry. For Bulky items like bedspreads, blankets and the like it will fill to the top and the turnover is every bit as impressive as any TL from back in the day.

Granted its not a product of the “Holy Grail” Speed Queen, and perhaps the longevity may not be forever, but for four hundred bucks it can’t be beat.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 2/23/2020-16:33]

 

[petek]

How does a single 66 y.o. woman have 3 loads of laundry a week? Still if that's legit she could probably cut that down with front loader.

 

[countryguy]

LOL @ Petek.....she washes her bedding weekly so that's 1 load, then she does a load of towels plus a load of colours and possibly whites.

Roper is not available in Canada. I'll check if Amana is available here. We have limited stores for appliances - Best Buy, Home Depot, Leon's, The Brick.

Gary

 

[ea56]

Gary,

Home Depot does carry Amana here, don’t know about Canada. And I believe that Best Buy does too.

And if having dispenser for liquid fabric softener is important, it can be purchased separately for about $10.00 and snapped onto the top of the agitator, or use a Downey Ball. I don’t us LFS, so this isn’t an issue for me anyway, but for some this is essential.

https://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Fabric-Softener-Dispenser/8575076A/1195942

Eddie[this post was last edited: 2/23/2020-18:28]

 

[mrsalvo]

My vote is for the plain-jane Roper T/L, easy to understand, ease of use and hopefully little would go wrong. In some instances, basic is better.

Barry

 

[countryguy]

We went washer shopping this afternoon and she ended up getting the Electrolux EFLS527UTT which is in Titanium from BestBuy. For some reason Bestbuy does not carry the 527 in white however both the 427 and 627 are available in white from them. I think she got a good price. It was priced at $1050 but the sales guy knocked off $50 plus there is a government rebate currently in place for 25% off energy efficient appliances. As well he gave her the optional 5 year parts/labour warranty for $80 instead of the regular price of $160. So in the end she paid

Washer $1050
less discount $50
less government rebate $250
plus extended warranty $80
plus 13% tax $107.90
Grand Total $937.90

Bestbuy does not carry any stock so it had to be ordered and should be at the store March 6.

Thanks for everyone's help and input.

Gary

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/electrolux-5-0-cu-ft-high-efficiency-steam-washer-efls527utt-titanium/12513847

 

[DADoES]

 
So after the advisory about being electronically-challenged, no need for water heating, and simple laundry needs ... she opted for an uber-capacity, electronic-paneled machine with heating/steam and bunches of options.  

 

[countryguy]

She did not like the Amana top loader (which was the best of the top loaders) so a front loader was the only option and unfortunately all front loaders are full of electronics so there was not much choice.

 

[stricklybojack]

.
Glenn!
That put a ;-] on my face.