The age-old newbie question: Which washer do I buy?

[footleg]

So Im' new to the game, and have been reading too much about washers and feel like I need some expert help (or at least opinionated discourse).

A new machine for me is in the cards (due to the constellation of difficulties which beset the aging Maytag TL), and SWMBO has an axe to grind with the destructive qualities of the agitator on her dainties; which leaves me leary about my first impulse of the Speed Queen TL (considered mostly because I'm drawn to its durability and vital American-ness).

So the question I pose is this: SQ TL (AWN542) or FL Whirlpool (WFW96HEA or WFW95HED when it arrives) or do I go toward the Fisher & Paykel? My searches have narrowed the decision to this tripod. To me the relevant aspects boil down in this order:

1. Does it get the clothes clean without destroying them?
2. Is it reliable?
3. Is it Made in the USA?

I would have to go with the F&P if it could fulfill the requirements of #s 1& 2 and the WP-FL and SQ-TL could not, but #3 matters. Am I right in thinking that the SQ & WP are really American made? Will they clean and not destroy (the clothes or themselves)?

Help me Obi-Wash Kenobi... you're my only hope...

 

[washman]

Speed Queen

'nuff said.

From a satisfied user.

 

[henene4]

Economical point of view:

1. The Speed Queen:
- water usage: BIIIIIIG!
- Cleaning results: Good!
- cycle times: Short!
- price: Well, OK.
- reliability: Pretty Good!
- parts prices/availability: Prcices are medium if something major (timer, motor etc.) brakes but will be avaible pretty much any time! Fast delivery, but yet you still need some tools and skill to do sepcific works!

2. The Whirlpool:
- water usage: Even with raised amount still pretty small, maybe to small!
- Cleaning results: If you know how to use it, OK!
- cycle times: Longer. Longer than you may like.
- price: Pretty some money.
- reliability: Uff, I wouldn't bet on it!
- parts prices/availability: Prcices are medium to high and may be nor avaible after something like 5 or 10 years. May take some time till you get them and not everything is easy to fix!

3. The F&P:
- water usage: Not as high as the SQ, but bigger than the WP. If you get a washplate modell you get the choice either HE or "conventional" mode!
- Cleaning results: On height with the SQ I guess. Has the ability of duing nearly tap-hot washes!
- cycle times: Just around 1 hour in most cases.
- price: On one level with the WP, maybe a bit higher.
- reliability: They *seem* to be pretty reliable and if something brakes it is easy to fix.
- parts prices/availability: Prices are pretty good (means not to expencive) and for modells produced 12 years ago you still get some and as they are quite uniformized in their construction pretty easy to get. May take a few days till you get one, but hey, you can do ANY job yourself without lots of skill!

 

[footleg]

Wow, henene4, that was incredibly helpful!

Would you (or anyone) care to weigh in on gentleness?

 

[henene4]

XD Thought of that, but forgot:

In fact, every one of these is "gentle" compared to your Maytag I guess...
The SQ is probably the most "aggresive" one, followed by the F&P and than the WP. The WP is a Frontloader, the gentleness of a FL can't be beaten. The F&P is gentler than the SQ because the moving part of the wash-system (means the agitator) has less surface than the SQ one as long we are talking about the washplate model (which I would highly recomend to get instead of a FP with agitator. The agitator models are good, but you just don't have the biggest benefit of a FP washer: The coice of HE or conventional wash).
Next on my list of things I forgot, I wanted to add some links to show you the different machines in action:
1. SQ (towels):


2. FP (HE mode, last generation, towels)


3.: A whirlpool FL (remember, this is not the US version of this machine, means it uses more water than one sold in theUS) :
(Even though quite fully packed..)


(...or less fully packed)

 

[henene4]

Oh...

... and thanks a lot footleg! Just a bit tired and forgettable (its 10 past 11pm here in Germany...)

 

[washman]

The full load of towels vid

is of my machine in action. There are others just like it waiting to be nominated as youtube vid of the year.

 

[combo52]

Best New American Clothes Washer

Speed Queen Front Load Washer, It is likely the only washer you can buy for home use that could last 50 YEARS, and when you consider the energy savings over the very good SQ TL washer it will pay back the increased cost of the FL washer in 5-10 years of average use and these savings do not even take into account the longer life and resulting savings on worn out and damaged clothing.

John L.

 

[frigilux]

While I have a new Speed Queen AWN542 top-loader, my daily driver--since 1988--has always been a front-loader. Currently, it's a 2010 Frigidaire.

While the SQ front-loader will be more durable, the Whirlpool offers more cycle flexibility, larger capacity, and an internal water heater. And it will vibrate less on a non-concrete floor (1st or 2nd floor installation).

Me, I'd go for the Whirlpool.

Having said that...if you decide on a top-loader, a Speed Queen is your machine.

 

[smartdrive701]

My mum got her New Zealand manufactured Fisher & Paykel top loader in 1994.. had the control panel replaced once, still going.. not bad I rekon.