Replacing dead Affinity ATF6000ES washer - limited depth

[the_z_machine]

First time poster here, so forgive me if I go astray.

My 15 year old Frigidaire Affinity ATF6000ES (made by Electrolux, I think). it had a good run, but either the spider arm or the drum bearings are shot. Very noisy, grinds when hand spinning the drum, and I won't even attempt to run it again.

Here's the challenge: This Affinity is not very deep. From the installation instructions the total depth including space for hoses, etc. is 28 1/4". However, as I have it installed with the matching electric dryer stacked on top, the door is about 30 1/2" from the back of the wall. The bi-fold closet doors are at about 33" from the back wall. From my research, it seems that most new washers need a bit more space than that, something like 34-35". I could lose the bifold doors and go to a barn door, but that's not an ideal solution in my opinion.

I see the Speed Queen FF7 is a bit shorter, but it seems to have a mixed reputation and is spendy.

I'd like keep the Affinity AEQB6000ES2 dryer stacked on top of whatever washer I end up with.

Thoughts?

 

[henene4]

Electrolux

These are Electrolux made and the new ELux machines are 32" deep in total.

They are excellent washers and dryers for that matter.
And they have a reversible door on both washer and dryer apparently, so perfect for closet installation.

Just make sure you'd get one with heater, so not the 300/400 series.

 

[the_z_machine]

Thanks, henene4. The challenge I see now might be the dryer vent and vent hose. I think this is taking up space behind the dryer. I've attached some images from the install guide from my existing Affinity stack (30.3" deep) and the newer ELux (32" deep), so only 1.7" increase. I think I can squeeze that in, as I have about 2.5" gap with the current setup.

Question: Should I keep my existing Affinity AEQB6000ES2 dryer? Will it stack on top of a new ELux 527/627?

 

[rp2813]

I had a similar issue with limited depth in my former laundry room.  I solved the dryer duct issue with a slim, flat adjustable metal "periscope" box that attached to the rear of the dryer.  If you aren't already using something like that, it will allow for less clearance behind the dryer.  Once you've figured out the necessary adjustment, use foil tape to seal it up.

 

Amazon.com

 

[henene4]

They should stack fine.
Width is the same, and the Affinity is not quite as deep.

So stacking isn't the issue.

If the old one runs investing in a new one is an additional financial burden not necessary.

The new isn't more efficient nor much larger nor much better in most ways probably.

It does have steam and the sensing especially on the 627 appears to be very good.

The new one should fit anyway though as well.

Depending on where the vent hose runs to, but the dryer has a cut out at the bottom that should easily fit the vent hose.
So routing it to either side and then up should work.
Rigid piping there might be your friend so it can't be crushed when pushed back.

And selling the old one could recoup 100-200$.

But I honestly don't see a reason to replace the old one.

Spending up to 1100$ on a washer seems a lot anyway.

So I'd buy the washer first.
If it is to your liking you can always buy the matching dryer later on.

But I don't want you to believe the ELux is your only option.

I personally do think they are extremely capable washers.
Very advanced.

But there might be some more options out there that would suit your situation as well.
Of the top of my head Whirlpool offers closet depth washers as well.
But personaly I'd prefer the ELux set over those.

 

[combo52]

Best Options For Replacing An Older FD Affinity FL Washer

We deal with this problem every week with our customers because newer full sized FL washers have gotten too deep for many closet spaces.

 

By far and away your best washer for the space is the SQ FL washer, It is the highest rated most durable Union built American washer available. 

 

Problem is the separate SQ FL washer is not stackable, so to use it with your existing dryer you would have to build a shelf for your dryer or buy the SQ stack W-D.

 

A less expensive option is build a shelf for your dryer and install a slightly smaller 24" wide GE FL washer or maybe the 24" Electrolux, we do this often. { I would not brother with the foreign built dryers as they don't come close to the speed, size and reliability of your current FD dryer ]

 

Option 4, look for a used FD Affinity washer, we have seen almost none of these washers develop bearing and broken spider issues, this was a common problem on the earlier FD FL washers but they really beefed up the bearing and seal design with the Affinity models.

 

John L.

 

[coldspot66]

I have a new, out of the box, Affinity f/l washer. Model # FAF3801LW. Was bought for a customer who then changed her mind. I have had it for 5/6 years, but it is brand new. Still has shipping bolts installed.

 

[the_z_machine]

Thanks for all the feedback, guys. I showed my wife some options, including the SQ FL. She liked the EL 527 the best of the offerings, including replacing our Affinity or getting a newer Affinity. Obviously, she also wanted to get the matching dryer, so that got tacked on too. Total cost including install and haul away was right at $2k. I will keep the working Affinity dryer and then sell that locally. Might only get $100, but that's 10% off a new dryer.

I am going to alter the exhaust ductwork a little to try and save some space at the back of the dryer. The Affinity exhaust location looks to be pretty close to the new EL 527 dryer, so I'll hopefully do that before the install happens. Wall behind the dryer might get ugly...

I'll post photos when I get into it.

 

[henene4]

Good decisson

The ELux user interface takes a minute to get used to.

First off:

Normal might seem the best option, but that's the energy saving cycle.
So temperatures and water usage will be minimal.

The 527 has many options for that, either Heavy Duty with a lower soil setting or Colors depending on load.
Whitest whites is a great cycle for brights as well and will probably use the heater no matter what.

Just try to keep the door ajar betwenn uses, use warm to hot or at least regulary run the clean washer cycle with some bleach.

The user interface of these machines needs a minute to get used too.

Selecting options is a bit odd (you hit the options button until the option you wanted flashes, then you select/deselect it with the select button).

The washer does remember many things like the last temperature or options or such for each cycle.

So let's say you often use Normal warm light soil with extra rinse, next time you run Normal that will be the default.
So you have to just hit start.

That goes for any cycle, so let's say you set Whitest Whites different, it will remeber those different option only for that cycle.

The dryer has the more advanced sensing system, but without predictive dry.

You might find yourself setting the dryness level a little higher, but that depends on what you use.
PredictiveDry would have given quick and accurate residual time estimates, but the result will be the same for the 527 and 627, basically.

Same goes there:

Using the appropiate cycle does make sense.
The sensing parameters are adapted dependign on what you select.

The normal cycle will dry most loads ok.
It runs relativley cool and might cut off a little early for multi layer items.
I had very good results with the EU mixed loads cycles; generally a little more gentle but drys even very different types of fabrics really well.

EcoDry will be preselected on the normal cycle.
That drops the heating down and might adjust sensing down a little, but the longer cycletime offsets that for the most time.
(Basic idea is to dry the laundry more by air less by heat.)

Nice thing in general is that you can change temps even with sensor cycles, so even the Heavy/Towels cycle could run relativley cool if you wanted.

If it runs to long check if EcoDry is on.
But same for the dryer: Any changes (with few exceptions) will be remebered.

If there are any questions or things, we will be glad to help for sure!

 

[combo52]

New Electrolux Full Sized Washers and Dryers

Are loaded with problems, dryer is worse than the washer, We have quit working on them because they do lend them selves to repair.

 

After the dryers have been disassembled twice every screw hole is stripped out because the metal is so thin. [ the dryers need to be disassembled often because the blower wheel is very prone to clogging, ask any tech that works on these machines how often they have seen this problem ]

 

Whirlpool and Maytag are both better options if you can't do SQ, I would even get the LG stack tower before the Electrolux

 

John L.

 

[henene4]

Funny

You first recommend an Electrolux, suddenly you don't.

Also funny a technician stops working on a brand because they "lend themselves to repair".

So what supposedly makes you money you despise?

We have at least one member here who has his set for years now and never had an issue.

After years of this discussion - especially since it apparently is only triggered by me - I think you'll go the same way only 2 other members ever have gone.

To the block list it is for you, John!

Never having to bother with your o so great knowledge that somehow always adjusts itself to not align with me is a great lookout for the coming years.

Have a great one!

(To clear this up for the original poster:

John -combo52- is an appliance repair technician with his own business.
You can actually Google him and his business if you want to!
Just grab his full name and location from his profile.
I recommend it to everyone!

He has very strong opinions, some of them better, some of them just ridiculous.

He always praises the SQ machines, but he sweeps the issues that are common knowledge under the rug.

He nicely always forgets the people who have 800$ repairs after 5-10 years.

What ever I offer as option gets put down no matter if that means changing his narrative - and that has been going on for literal years.

That goes for any appliance discussion.
Be it dishwashers, washer/dryers, what ever.

I could give you an exhaustive list of times that has happened.

The flaw he mentioned here he never mentioned ever before.
We discussed the ELux machines quite often on this site, yet blocked blowers never came up.

Further lint issues are just a dryer thing and I don't see any evidence such issues are more common with ELux then anything else.

You can also read him bash both alternatives he recommended on this website.

I stand behind my recommendation.
The machines perform excellently and from all data available aren't any better or worse than most other brands in terms of reliability or repairability.

If you want to change you mind feel free to do so.
I couldn't care any less.
It's your money you spend.)[this post was last edited: 3/22/2021-11:50]

 

[combo52]

New Electrolux Full Sized Washers and Dryers

Not So funny, Henrik

 

If you actually read things, I recommended the 24" ELux that is built in Italy, it has nothing to do with the larger Elux other than the name, and it is probably not the greatest out there but there are no great choices in 24" FL washers in the US, this category is becoming a throw away appliance.

 

We made the business decision not to work on repair overly repair prone appliances that are difficult to keep working, after you keep seeing the same customer year after year for the same appliance and problems people start to wounder if it is us or the appliance.

 

If you are a quality repair service there is little point in working on junk.

 

PS Henrik, don't flatter yourself my moments have NOTHING to do with you, I almost never read your comments anyway because they go on and on and on and seem to have little value. I did not even read your comments only the original posters of this thread.

 

John L.

[this post was last edited: 3/22/2021-12:21]

 

[rp2813]

Another trademark schoolyard bully response.  That is so DJT it's creepy.

 

Stand by for another one.

 

[the_z_machine]

Wow. I didn't anticipate this type of discourse. Hopefully the install goes well and I'm happy with the performance and features of the EL 527 W/D. It's probable that I'll only own these units for <5 years before I sell the house and move, I'm less concerned about getting 10+ years out of them. I can do most repairs myself anyway. I didn't take on spider arm or bearing replacement on the Affinity because it was so old.

 

[combo52]

New ELux Full Sized W&Ds

Hi Mike, If you are only expecting 5 years or so use out of these machines and you are only doing 3-6 loads  a week you stand a good chance of having a good experience with these machines, I was naturally expecting when giving advice about them that you were hoping to get 15-20 years out of them.

 

Be very careful when drying very small items in the dryer [ maybe put small items in a mess laundry bag ] we have had a lot of problems with items like ladies unmentionables being pulled into and getting stuck in the blower of these dryers and locking the motor up, the lint filter andair intake design leaves a lot to be desired.

 

PS, Yes Mike there some strong personalities here who like to comment on things they have no direct experience with, I will talk to our Webmaster about that.

 

John L.