Suggestions on buying a new front load washer and dryer

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mrsproper1

mrsproper1

Active member
Joined
Apr 2, 2023
Messages
36
Location
Benicia, California
Hello,

I’m new to the group here and would love to have a few vintage machines in my garage but I don’t know how happy my husband would be with that idea.
Not sure what it is but I just love vintage appliances they just excite me ha ha. Maybe it’s the craftsmanship and beauty I feel they used to have I don’t know but either way I’m hooked.

So I’ve been searching for a new washer and dryer or used as our newish ones are absolutely horrible and hardly wash at all (Maytag Bravos MCT top loader). I wish I would have kept my washer and dryer from the first home I bought it was avocado green a top loader and worked amazing thing must have been over 20 years old ugh I miss it!

My husband doesn’t share in my vintage washing machine love as enthusiastically as me so he wants a newer front loader. Any suggestions? I have been scouring the internet and researching and so far I’m thinking a Speed Queen is my best bet… I just want one that washes really well!

Thanks in advance, Angela
 
Hello,

I’m new to the group here and would love to have a few vintage machines in my garage but not to sure how happy my husband would be with that. I don’t know what it is but i love vintage appliances they just excite me ha ha, Maybe it’s the craftsmanship and beauty I feel they used to have but I’m hooked.

So I’ve been searching for a new washer and dryer or used as our newish ones are horrible and hardly wash at all (Maytag Bravos MCT top loader). I wish I would have kept my washer and dryer from the first home I bought it was avocado green a top loader and worked amazing thing must have been over 20 years old ugh I miss it!

My husband doesn’t share in my vintage washing machine love as enthusiastically as me so he wants a newer front loader. Any suggestions?

I’ve been scouring the internet and researching and so far I’m thinking a Speed Queen is my best bet… I just want one that washes really well!

Thank you in advance, Angela
 
First off, Welcome to the forum!!

Second, you are correct, Speed Queen has some of if not the best washers today. If you are okay with the high price tag and lack of an internal water heater, then go for it. I fully understand your frustration with the Maytag Bravos, as I had one a few years ago. That said, I now own a top load Speed Queen, and it has been the best appliance we have ever bought new. From what I have seen so far, LG front loaders seem OK for the price, but don’t wash nearly as well or last as long as Speed Queens do. A family friend also spoke extremely positively their new Electrolux front load set’s performance, but they have only had them for a few months, so I can’t speak about their reliability just yet. Good luck on your quest!
Thatwasherguy.
 
Thank you

Well thank you for the warm welcome!

I was leaning towards an older top load Speed Queen TC model or older, but my husband seems bent towards the front loader he swears they wash better, but after my talking his ear off about them all he said get whatever I want ha ha.

So what is it that you love about the Top load Speed Queen in comparison to the front load one. I do love option to have a high water load and to be able to just toss another item in after it already started. I am still looking into these ones as well so they aren’t off the table by any means.
 
I did read about the Lg’s being pretty good and to get the Turbo wash if you do buy one. I will need to see what is the deal with the Turbo wash I have to admit I haven’t read too much about that. Thanks for the suggestion I will check those out as well.
 
I would say…

That the best thing about the top load Speed Queen is it’s performance. It operates like a 1970’s top loader, and produces similar results as such. I should warn you, however, that it doesn’t operate this way on the Normal/Eco cycle. This cycle reduces the water temperature in the washer, along with the water levels. It also eliminates the deep rinse, utilizing a spray rinse instead. I have never liked the results that this produces, so I use the heavy duty cycle for everything. With this cycle, you will get straight hot water when you call for it, along with a full tub rinse and wash when the large load size (or “deep fill” on the TC5) is selected. It has also had good reliability. I’ve had mine since 2017, and have only had to replace a water inlet valve. As far as the front loader goes, I have only used a large commercial Huebsch (Speed Queen rebranded) front loader, and it did a fine job with cleaning as well. That said, it is really down to user preference as to which is better.
Hope this helps,
Thatwasherguy.
 
 
Angela, does the dryer need replacement for functionality or mechanical problems, or only for purpose of maintaining a matched set?  Myself and many of my extended family members have had mismatched washer/dryer pairs to no adverse effect on producing clean and dried laundry.  :-)
 
You'll have to give a a rundown on your lifestyle (jobs/hobbies/pets) in order to pick the correct washer.

 

Dirty blue collar job(s), farming, regular gardening, outdoorsy lifestyle, lots of pets = Top Loader

 

White collar job(s) with hobbies that don't include getting very dirty = Front Loader.
 
Thank you

@thatwasherguy that is good info to think about.

@dadoes the dryer is working fine but we would like a matching pair if possible.

@qsd-dan my husband is a blue collared worker, but wears work overalls over his Dickey pants. I am a white collared worker with dirty hobbies lol hiking and gardening and we have about 40 chickens so I clean the coop a lot too. So I want something that can handle some dirt every now and then.plus we have three active kids and two dogs thrown into the mix. So maybe a top load… I do love a good top load washer!
 
Yeah, I'd be leaning towards a top loading washer under those circumstances.

 

If you want new, the Speed Queen TC5 is your only choice. Their newer TR series washers do not clean very well for dirty jobs, stay away from those. The only problem with the TC series is that it's very inflexible with cycle times (pre set) and water level adjustments. They claimed was necessary for them to skirt around EPA regulations.

 

I'd personally be looking for a high end pre 2018 Speed Queen washer which allows more control and flexibility.

 

You can go vintage with something reliable like a Maytag but you'll need to go through it or have someone knowledgeable enough that's very familiar with them.
 
I had a Speed Queen washer that is still going strong at a friends house. If your water bills are relatively cheap or you have well water then go for a top load washer. The SQ washer I had loves to eat belts. It is now on its 5th change of belt. Yes it does clean well but your clothes pay the price and if you look at Consumer Reports every SQ product performance wise is lacking.
I had an Electrolux set when we lived in Mass and I loved them. We left them when we sold the house since the dryer was natural gas fired and we don’t have access to gas lines where I live here in FL. The Electrolux washer cleaned superbly and the dryer performance was spot on and had a huge drum at 8 cuft.
When we moved here we bought a Whirlpool set the 4516 washer I grew to hate with a passion and the dryer had issues where the sensor would take its time telling the control to move when the load was already dry. That set was bounced out once the supply chain issues got worked out.
In 2021 I bought an LG 4000 set and I absolutely love them. The washer cleans well, it’s quiet , holds a good amount of laundry and has a water heater. Plus this washer is not shy about using water plus you can add up to 3 extra rinses if you need to. LG is always at the top of the heap for reliability as well. The dryer is quiet, quick and performs superbly. These machines also use AI …Artificial Intelligence…and it works quite well adjusting the cycles that use where it senses what you are washing and drying.
Personally I would think twice before I would spend $1500 a piece for an SQ set and a front load SQ washer and dryer can be a hefty $2k a piece. They are not worth it no matter how much people think. The dryer will drive you nuts with subpar performance….just my opinion and experience…your mileage may vary…
 
@qsd-dan I don’t need to have a new washer by any means, used but new to me is perfect, I’d prefer a used one if it had great washing capabilities as that is my main need.

@nmassman44 our water rates aren’t great I live in the Bay Area so no well water either. I have read good things about the LG’s but I really want something that will last for years to come… if I can find a good used washer like a Speed Queen then I will buy it for sure. I have been looking everyday for a used speed Queen but nothing has come up yet… finger crossed.
 
I have nothing but good things to say about our LG washer and dryer. We bought them because when our Maytags were having problems, our service technician recommended to us an LG because it is the brand that they repaired the least. I can't say that on behalf of the other areas but it sounded like the technician repaired more Speed Queen washers than LG in my area. Ours have been going on for 4 years now without any problems and I expect them to last for quite a while. If we had to get our washer and dryer replaced today, I'd get the same ones that we have. But if it had to be something else, I'd get a Speed Queen. I'm a type of person that loves both a top loader and a front loader, in fact we've had a top loader and a front loader up at our cabin that we used to have. So if I was a consumer and if I had to choose between a top loader and a front loader, I'd think about which one would have more advantages over the other. Front loaders are generally more energy efficient, they use less water, they're more delicate on laundry, I find they rinse better, and than clean clean more thoroughly than a top loader. I know this because I've used a Whirlpool Duet front loader right next to a couple of Speed Queen classic top loaders when I was living up in the pacific northwest and the Whirlpool did a better job than both of the Speed Queens. Anyways, I'd invite you to look at these two review videos from another member here who's had more experiences with both LG and SQ front loaders to determine which one you'd feel is better for your home.



 
@panasonicvac Thank you for the videos, those were both really good.

I've actually watched a ton of his videos on youtube. Bur since I am new here I didn't even realize he was a member as well, thats pretty cool!vI feel like he gives a really good commentary and does some great test runs on the machines. I wish I could have a top loader and a front loader ha ha.
 
Honestly

before I watched this videos, I wouldn't have even considered LG... but he explains how, as a tech, they are very user friendly for techs to work on...and they do a really good job washing (especially the ones with turbo wash)
 
Angela, I've had my LG WM4200 since October/November 2021. Turbowash is the feature whih recirculates/sprays on the load while during the wash cycle. during spins, turbo wash ramps up to 600 rpms and begins spraying the spining load for about 10 seconds. then the load costs down to stop and the machine pumps out that water. During each rinse, the turbo sprays continuously on the load. Drains, ramps up spinning and sprays the load again at 600 rpms. Spin sprays don't happen on bulky/bedding and towels cycles. I thinnk the turbo sprays during the wash and rinse perioids quickly saturates the load and is like always immersing fabrics under water like a top loader.

How far away is the water heater from your washer. Do you use warm or hot water for husbands really dirty garments as well as gardening and mucking out chicken coop?

As Eugene mentioned above, LG water temp for warm is 90F and hot is 112F for Perm Press, Towels, Whitest Whites, and bedding. The heateer comes on to make sure thosse temps are reached and then it turns off. On normal, respective temps are 86 and 95. heater doesn't not come on after wash fill and is siilar for Heavy Duty. Normal & Heavy Dty has Extra Hot as an option and allows the heater to heat wash waster up to 150F depending upon soil level. On Sanitize, water can be heated up to 158F, depending upon soil level.

I typically use prewash option for very heavily soild or lots of food stains to expose cold water detergen solution before warm or hot for washing. And yes, I am not shy about using 1-3 of extra rinses as needed--front loader rinses aren't anywhere near as water consuming as top loader. For comparable loads between my 2011 Whirlpool Duet and the LG, the LG is faster and balances into spin much quicker too.
 
The LGs are the easy to recommend, quick, thorough option.

They wash pretty good, really quickly and quite thoroughly.
As long as you don't mind having to wait for that one load a week that you really want to run hot, there aren't many downsides to them.

If the utmost performance is wanted, the Electrolux lineup is often recommended.

These are certainly slower in almost every task.
But their wash system on their upper models (500 and 600 series) is just way more thorough. Using a combination of recirculation AND active dissolving of detergent on the 600, they can do a lot of trickery around soaking and heating to shift stains more thoroughly.

Electrolux dryers are also known to not be the fastest, but incredibly good at sensing and very gentle even everyday drying.

Electrolux machines are generally a bit more flexible in terms of settings.

But I would rate both similarly good, just in different ways.

You just want fast, good performance? LG.
You want pure performance and control? ELux.
 
Good morning from California.
I am just now reading more responses. So LG sounds like it can be a good contender now. And I didn’t even have the Electrolux on my radar but I’m going to research a bit about those too now. My main want is a machine that has great cleaning capabilities plus will last maybe I’m asking for too much but dang I just want clean clothes.

Are there any vintage machines that you all felt were great at cleaning and reliable… maybe I can have two washers lol that would be awesome. I remember having the same washer and dryer my entire childhood life and my parents only got a new one when they moved away from our childhood home… Awe the good ol days!

Right now my washing routine is that I have a empty laundry container and fill it to the top with water then empty it onto my load to trick the water sensor and it does trick it ha ha, then once everything starts washing I stop the load and use my manual stick washer thingy and plung the heck out of the clothes about a million times and even with all that they don’t come out very good at all. Socks look dirty still and my poor white towels are an ugly shade of dingy yellow gray now. I’m just so feed up with it that washer stinks.

Although I did see one of the Lorain furniture and appliances guy Eugene’s video on the newer Maytag commercial top load being really good, has anyone had experience with that one? I put a picture of it below. I am kinda hesitant as I have a Maytag now but hey maybe they redeemed themselves with the new washer idk…

mrsproper1-2023040807192903832_1.png
 
Great vintage washers...

There were a lot that fit the bill of cleaning well and being reliable. Although, some of them are getting harder to find parts for, so that may be a factor to consider as well. The two main platforms that still have decent parts availability are the Whirlpool direct drive, and the Maytag helical drive. The Whirlpool was produced from 1982 to 2017 in some form or another, and is the most mass produced washer of all time, with over 100 million machines produced. This is arguably the best washer for the average user, as it is easy to service, has good parts availability, and has good overall performance. If you want something more unique, the helical drive Maytag (also known as a “Newton Maytag” or a “two-belt Maytag”) is also a great choice. It was produced from 1956 to 2006, and many critical parts from the 2006 models are interchangeable with models as far back as the original 1956 machines. That said, certain parts available today will only work with machines newer than the early 60’s. I personally have a set of Maytags from 1978 that I absolutely adore. I should warn you, however, that while both platforms still have parts available currently, this will not stay forever. That said, if you wish to use a vintage machine as a daily driver, refurbishment is almost a requirement for it to be guaranteed to be reliable, unless you find one with extremely low miles, but this is very rare. That’s not to discourage you from getting a vintage machine. If it’s not your only washer, you can get away without rebuilding it, and they are a lot of fun. Also, you can generally get a mechanically controlled washer from the 90’s or newer and get good service out of it as a daily driver with some simple preventative maintenance. Keep us posted on what you get! I’m excited to see what you end up with, vintage or modern!
Thatwasherguy.
 
Very best new front load washer overall

While nothing is perfect the Speed Queen front loaders are by far the most rugged, reliable easy to repair choice available only downside is they’re a little bit expensive.

MostWhile nothing is perfect the Speed Queen front loaders are by far the most rugged, reliable easy to repair choice available only downside is there a little bit expensive.

Most people that buy them could leave them in there will as they can last nearly 50 years with some maintenance.

The only two washing machines I ever bought new in my life were Speed Queen front loaders I bought 118 years ago, which is never missed a beat and three years ago. I bought the new stainless s50 years with some maintenance.

The only two washing machines I ever bought new in my life were Speed Queen front loaders I bought 118 years ago which is never missed a beat and three years ago. I bought the new stainless steel model which is not disappointed me in any respect.

The new Speed Queen is fast has lots of programming, Options, rinses and cleans beautifully.

If you want to match pair, the dryer is also a workhorse that’s easy to repair and can easily last as long as the washer.

John
 
@thatwasherguy I did recently see a post on here from a user named Mark who’s whirlpool just had its 18th birthday! Pretty impressive and he seems to love the machine. So I will have to check those out too now, I look into the Maytag sounds pretty interesting.

Gosh there are so many options I feel overwhelmed a bit lol today I am going to go to some used appliance stores to see what they have and I want to have a list with names and model numbers to check out. Does anyone know the model no. of any Maytag’s whirlpools and older SPeed queens I do have a few speed queen no.’s but that’s it?

@john Do you have the model no. of your fav Speed Queen?

Thanks guys I’m enjoy reading about all of these it’s so much fun!

Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a museum for old washers and dryers and vacuums and such that let you try them out…I would have a field day!
 
Rinsing on current US FLs

It appears most offerings nowadays cut rinsing in some way.

LG does only one deep rinse on default Normal with TurboWash plus the 2 spray rinses.

ELux does rinse-spin-rinse, so no spin after the wash.
If I ain't mistaken, Whirlpool does pretty much the same.

So selecting an extra rinse in most cases appears to be a standard requirement.

LG has the big advantage (if they did not change that) of being abled to select up to 3 extra rinses.
 
Model numbers…

There are many different model numbers for the Whirlpool direct drive. They were sold under many brands other than whirlpool, including (among others) Estate, Kenmore, Inglis, Roper, Maytag, and KitchenAid. Some models I can think of off the top of my head are the Whirlpool LSR7233EQ1, the Kenmore 110.92281100, and the Estate TAWS700RQ1 and TAWS700RQ3. These are by no means all of the model numbers of direct drive washers, but they are some of the ones I have seen. The easiest way to tell you are looking at a direct drive washer is to tip it over, and see if the transmission and pump are directly “plugged in” to the drive motor. I’ve included a link to a video that explains some more of the signs of a direct drive washer. For the Maytag, it’s a similar story. Tip the machine over, and look for two belts underneath. I’ve included a picture of what this looks like. Like the Whirlpool, it came in a bunch of different models. Normally, they start with the letter A for 1980’s and older models, or some other letter and then A if they are a color other than white. In the 90’s, they started having the first three letters as LAT. All of that said, there really is no pattern to the model number to tell what washer is of these designs. The best way to tell is to either tip it over and look, or type the model into a website like appliancepartspros.com and look at the diagrams.
Hope this helps,
Thatwasherguy.



thatwasherguy-2023040811562300196_1.jpg
 

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