Suggestions on buying a new front load washer and dryer

[ryner1988]

Other suggestions are spot on, especially if you indeed do have two hookups available. Seems like your quandry is solved. I'd go LG with turbo wash for your front loader (it's what I would likely get if I were to go new as I can't afford Speed Queen very easily), and try to find a clean, good-condition used Whirlpool-built direct drive for your top loader. As mentioned above, parts for the direct drive machines are still pretty easy to find and a lot of people who don't normally even work on washers find they can handle the repairs themselves. A direct drive Whirlpool is what I have, bought it used last summer. It was in rough-ish shape -- so a few internal components didn't work quite right which would have presented some issues down the road. I ran it as it was for a few months as it still cleaned well, and got the offending components replaced when I had the money to get it done. Runs like new now.

 

[mrsproper1]

Yes I am overjoyed that I remembered this small fact of two hookups lol. I will be searching for a new/used set daily!

Funny thing happened over Easter while chatting with my Mother in Law she brought up that her washer wasn’t working very well, I had plenty to add in as I was having the same problem with mine, she laughed and said I wonder if we have the same washer and I thought to myself no way could we have the same washer so we took a walk out to the garage and GASP we have the exact same washer and model Ugh Go Figure!!!

She said she is just going to wait till hers dies before getting a new one. So speed forward to Easter dinner at my parents house and I told my Mom the funny story of our duplicate washers and my mom then showed me her Washer I kid you not she has the same washer as my Mother in Law and I all Except hers has the agitator and our wet the wash plate so my Mom absolutely loves hers and says it washing amazingly well agh! I had wanted the agitator one when I bought mine but someone in my family lol said to get the wash plate instead… welp worse decision ever. [this post was last edited: 4/10/2023-14:57]

 

[lakewebsterkid]

LG

I highly recommend an LG set! My grandparents replaced theirs after 13 years because of a leaky cold water inlet valve. It could have easily and cheaply been fixed, however they decided against it. No other issues at all.
We have an LG built Kenmore Elite that has been flawless as well.
For the LG machines, I highly recommend the Towels cycle. It uses more water, tumbles more gently, does 3 deep rinses with strong interim spins, and the final spin is strong without taking 20-30 minutes. The Normal cycle isn't as great as it may seem.
For true hot washes, either use Sanitize or Normal with Extra Hot. Performance has always been great!

 

[mrsproper1]

I am definitely looking at the front load LG with turbo for our laundry room washer and for our garage washer I am looking for one with a direct drive so far I found a vintage Kenmore 70 series in great condition (picture attached).

Anyone know anything about these… are they any good, I watched a few videos on YouTube and they said they are work horses, I was going to go look at it tonight after work.

 

[repairguy]

These would be approximately 1992 model machines. If they are in good working condition it would be a great set and I highly recommend them.

 

[mrsproper1]

Awesome I will keep this one in mind then. I am also keeping a eye out for a whirlpool direct drive as well, there seems to be a good amount of them on the used market are they all direct drives or just certain models, if it is just certain models I will be sure to ask the seller so I can check out the info online and see if in fact it is a direct drive motor. I have been reading about the direct drive motors and they seem like a great bet as they are real work horses.

 

[wayupnorth]

DD all look like the one in your pictures. BD has a slightly smaller lid opening and larger top. You can spot the difference by looking at it.

 

[mrsproper1]

Ah that is really good to know, thank you @wayupnorth I appreciate the help.

 

[panasonicvac]

This video shows how you can identify a direct drive washer.

 

[mrsproper1]

Thank you and that seems easy enough to check

 

[DADoES]

 
Direct-drives were produced from late 1981 through approx 2010 at introduction of the VMW design (the DD platform continued a couple years longer for unitary/stacked models and some coin-op/commercial).  Direct-drive was first offered as a few introductory Kenmore models.  The first Whirlpool-branded was 1982 model-year.  DD was initially 24" width until the 27" redesign in 1985-ish.  They were produced under numerous brand labels -- Kenmore, Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Roper, Estate, Inglis, Maytag, Admiral, Amana, Crosley.  KitchenAid mid/upper models with 3-speed motors and a larger agitator are desirable.  Some Whirlpool and Kenmore models have 3-speed motors but the larger agitator was exclusive to KitchenAid.

 

[thatwasherguy]

That’s a cool looking Kenmore!

My great aunt has a Kenmore washer from 1993 almost exactly like the one you pictured. It has been used regularly it’s entire life, and it still going strong 30 years later with no major repairs. The dryer is wonderful as well. Those whirlpool built dryers with the lint trap in the top are some of the best dryers ever. They are fast, VERY easy to service, and are generally very reliable. They are also extremely easy to get parts for. If the price is right, and you like them, I’d go for them.
Thatwasherguy.

 

[mrsproper1]

@dadoes thank you for giving me some date ranges and the brand names as well!
@thatwasherguy yeah it is a really cool set and they are selling the set for only 150 and said it is still working excellent ugh!!! But the dryer is gas and we don’t have a hookup outside for that so I’m out of luck on that one… oh well the search continues!

 

[mrsproper1]

Well I found a free Kenmore 70 series and just installed it into the garage yesterday I am a bunch of loads in and love this little washer wow it cleans so well! It is much smaller than I am used to but it washes pretty quickly so I just end up doing multiple loads. I’m okay with that! I have ordered some sodium tripolyphosphate and it should arrive today so I am excited to see if it can help revive my whites.I will post a video of my new to me washer soon. Still on the hunt for my front loader though that’s okay I will use my top loader happily anyways.[this post was last edited: 4/16/2023-11:51]

 

[mrsproper1]

[No message]

 

[repairguy]

That’s a great washer and dryer. The washer would date from around 1990 and the dryer around 1980. Congrats on your find. Enjoy!

 

[DADoES]

 
The dryer likely has only two heat temperatures plus Air/no heat.  Cotton/Sturdy, Permanent Press, and Touch Up are high.  Knit and Delicate are low.

The serial numbers are coded for date of factory production if you want to know the ages more closely.

 

[mrsproper1]

@repairguy Thank you, I’m pretty happy with them. @ dadoes thanks for the serial number date too I will take a look at that because I am interested in how old they are.

 

[DADoES]

 
The serial dates are coded in a way that may not be directly obvious.  You can search the coding online or cite the serials here for decoding.

 

[thatwasherguy]

YAY!!!!

So happy to hear that you got your vintage washer! That era of Kenmore used my favorite console that any of the direct drives sported. I just love that wood grain top and black on black color scheme. Given the build quality of these machines, that set should last you a very long time. Let us know what year they are! I’m thinking the dryer is a bit older than the washer, given it’s center dial console. I *think* 1986 was the last year of those before they switched to the dial being offset like it is on the washer. Let us know what front loader set you decide to get! I’m excited to hear what it is!
Thatwasherguy.