Thoughts on LG wash tower.

[mattl]

Anyone have any experiance with the LG stacked units?  My brother is moving and will only have space for a stacked  unit.  Currently there is a top load combo unit in the laundry, too small capacity for them. Standard stuff wont work for one simple reason- while my brother is 6'8 his wife is 5'2 - she'd need a step stool to reach the dryer controls. Controls in the middle are ideal.

 

I really like the Turbo wash on the LG's and suggested it might work well for them.

 

[gansky1]

 

I only know a couple of people that have them, one in new construction as a second laundry location in the dog room.  So far, the reviews there are good, lots of loads after the move-in and the tower always performed great.  My mother's neighbor in the apartment below bought one to make more room in the laundry closet for storage, etc.  She's been an LG laundry fan for years and wasn't disappointed in the tower.  Her previous LG set was on drawer-risers so she isn't a fan of the bending down to reach into the washer (she's 77) but is satisfied otherwise.  

 

[combo52]

LG stack wash tower

These seem to be working very well we reviewed them and looked over what it would be like to service them. They look like an absolute nightmare to service because you have to disassemble the dryer and remove it to do most service to the washer. A very hard thing to do if it's in a tight spot be sure you can pull the whole machine out to get to it many things have to be done from the back of the dryer, etc..

Hi Matt, if the controls are at the top of the current unit, it must be a full size whirlpool top load stack. This was one of the most rugged stack washer dryers ever sold and it's really not that hard to reach the washer and dryer controls. they're also a normal good size capacity machine so they may want to try to see if they can live with it.

By far the best full-size stack is the Speed Queen, which is easily serviced in almost every respect from the front, but it is twice the money as the LG.

John

 

[jmm63]

Hey Matt,
I just recently bought the LG Washtower and so far, absolutely love it!
I got model lke100 from Costo, on sale for $1550 including delivery, installation, haul away of the old ones, and a 3-year extended warranty.

The washer has many options, including steam. We use mostly the normal or heavy cycle with some modifiers, and it cleans everything very well. My only complaint is that the normal cycle doesn't tumble the clothes at the end to unplaster them from the tub.
The dryer is equally as nice. The washer set's the dyers' cycle and I rarely have to modify anything. My only complaint about the dryer's normal cycle, is it leaves the clothes hot at the end of the cycle and doesn't do a cool down, which I find odd. You can manually select "Wrinkle Guard" which I do, that tumbles them every couple minutes.
All in all, for a modern machine, I'm pretty impressed with it.

 

[appnut]

Jim, referencing the dryer too hot after dry cycle is completed. From what I have gathereed, most dryers with digital controls has a thermostat/thermistor that determines when the cooldown is sufficient. But the default amount of time for cooldown on my dryer is 5 minutes. And I've observed varios lengths of cooldown after the heat turns off and using the same cycle. Towels are about the only type of load that ends up with longer cooldown, varying frmo 7 to 10 minutes. I noticed all cycles ended with the same temp in the drum. Somewhere along the way I've gathereed that target cooldown temp is 95F which I find unacceptable. My solution is just select the air fluff after the dry cycle finishes. I'm cheap and when I got my LG dryer I was mad at the wasted heat. I'd also observed when using any of the Sensor cycles the ending temperature of fabrics was the same. I wear compression stockings and noticed no default sensor cycles used ultra Low Heat. I have only used auto dry/sensor cycle since the Norge dryer showed up at our house February 1964. I found a downloadable cycle for my LG dryer called Ultra Delicate that uses ultra low temp sensor cycle.

 

[panasonicvac]

I recommended my uncle to get an LG Washtower earlier this year for my grandfather's cabin that flooded since I love my LG. But my uncle called me a few weeks ago after asking if a GE he saw was any good, assuming he must've forgoten about my list of suggestions I gave him earlier this year and the LG Washtower was one of them listed. So I again recommended him an LG however, when he mentioned that the insurance was paying for whatever, I told him to look into a Speed Queen like what John mentioned since not only it wouldn't cost us anything but also we have a dealer that can come out to service it if we ever needed to especially if they're so easy to fix, I couldn't find one for LG which was my main concern. Not to mention the five year warranty on the SQ was something we couldn't pass up on. That's what we ended up getting. If it weren't for the insurance, I would've went with the LG cause SQ is so expensive for us.

 

[mattl]

Here is a pic of what's there now from the listing.  At long last we have a local Costco opening in a few months  so will pass that info on. Thanks for the input.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

WashTower

I have used one on multiple occasions, and I find the machine great. Though, others do highlight some key downfalls such as limited cycle selection (unless you have the app handy) and some quirks.
The Normal cycle is not my favorite, but Bright Whites is actually a great alternative. The dryer is great IMHO, though needs a higher dryness level with either Perm Press or Low Temp Dry. Otherwise, no real complaints. They are pretty quiet and seem well built.

 

[henene4]

They are - at base - the same as a MOL TurboWash360 washing machine and and a matching tumble dryer - regardless of if it is gas, electric or heat pump.

So the major difference is the machine being fused into one.
So unless you really need the UI lower down, a separate washer and dryer, stacked, has the advantage of being abled to replace one without the other.

Though many people in the US just replace both at once anyway, so that relatively scales that argument.

But if you get separate machines, and the washer breaks, you could still sell the dryer for a couple hundred bugs that you can use towards a new matched set.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Costco..

These look super nice. hopefully they won't have any issues. I'll bet that thing is such a pain to move/navigate for the installers though.

I wondered about Costo/Sams Buying appliances and how their delivery/haulaway would be... I think that may be the best move when buying an appliance because they extend your warranty and don't upcharge for the other things. Although I've read some stories about delivery issues but that's with everything as not all can go smoothly.. there's always going to be something with some and nothing with others.

Funny you mentioned you didn't like that the normal cycle did not tumble the clothes from being plastered to the drum. My duet has driven me CRAZY over the years doing that...I feel like it tumbles for an unusually LONG time and I'll stand there and wait and get so frustrated... I actually wish it didn't do that.

 

[appnut]

Well, Mark it took me a while to get used to not having the 1-2 minute tumble after the final spin to have most if not all of the load unplaster itself. A lot of times I simply add the Fresh Care option at the end of the cycle and that tumbles the load every two to three minutes after the cycle, especially if I know I'm not going to be able to get to the load right at the end of the cycle. These days I'm only using two cycle because I've been using Tide Professional powder and it's foremulated best to work in warm water. Those cycles are Towels and then Perm Press (with high speed spin) for all my clothes.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

lg washtower

My dad has an lg washtower and it does get the job done. We mostly use the normal cycle on both.

 

[mark_wpduet]

why? Isn't that like the worst cycle on all machines....I've heard it's the government cycle.

 

[henene4]

I think there are a bunch of different normal cycles, and from what I've heard, LGs is one of the OK ones.

Keep in mind that the rating cycle is - as far as I understand - the default cycle, so the one right after you switch on.
And with LG, that gives you the warm Normal cycle with TurboWash enabled - so a 86F wash, spray rinse and single deep rinse in 30 odd minutes.
Given that TurboWash wants a very low water level anyway (higher concentration of detergent means shorter wash time for the same cleaning) and recirculates to compensate AND you don't want several rinse and spin cycles to save time, the goals of a Normal cycle and a TurboWash cycle somewhat coincide.

I would always want 2 rinses regardless of spray rinsing - but a single deep rinse with the 2 spray rinses and the cycle time probably suffice for what most people need from a washer.

 

[jmm63]

Mark, my experience with Costco delivery was awesome, although I've heard stories otherwise as well.
We ordered the Wash Tower and refrigerator from them, and they all came with an extended warranty, installation and haul away. We had them move the old fridge to the garage which we then gave away to someone in need.
The delivery guys were great, and they even installed a telescoping vent on the dryer so it would fit close to the wall. But, installation through any of the big box stores is replacing "like" with "like" and they won't do anything out of the ordinary.

 

[ryner1988]

LG WashTower

I've eyed these units off and on for several years, ever since they came out. I live in a one-bedroom apartment, and my laundry is in a hallway closet. Full-size, side-by-side machines fit well but there certainly is an appeal to winning back half the closet for extra storage. However, and no one ever talks about this online and not sure why as I'm sure others have run into this issue, there is a built-in shelf above the washer and dryer in the closet that I'm almost certain would impede the WashTower being able to fit properly. Surely I'm not the only person whose laundry closet is built with a shelf above the machines, thus making the WashTower too tall for that type of construction. Everyone talks about how great it is to win back half the space, especially in smaller closets, but come to think about it I've literally never seen a laundry closet without that low-ish shelf up top. Yet, no one has ever discussed the PITA prospect of modifying their laundry area to meet the WashTower's height requirements. Perhaps I'm overthinking it, but it's just a bit strange.

Ryne

 

[appnut]

Henrik,other than Delite, I select Turbowash enabled cycles and always automatically add an extra rinse. And no problems at all.

 

[combo52]

Stacked versus side-by-side washer and dryer

You are so right Ryne, I would never do a stack unless you absolutely didn't have space for side-by-side machines. It's much more efficient to have the machine side-by-side and then you can have good shelves over the machines and store all your linens and things it makes it much more serviceable and much more attractive and wedging a stacked machine in a tight space where you can't get to the water faucet you can't hook up the vent properly get to the plumbing, drain, etc. half the time you can't even get to the receptacle depending on how it's set up.

Stacked machines can be a godsend if you have very little square footage in your living area, but nobody would ever design something from scratch that has to use a stack machine because it doesn't actually save any cubic feet of space you need a linen closet anyway you might as well just put the shelves over the machines and then you can store all your detergents, etc. there as well.

John

 

[panasonicvac]

I was a bit concerned about the Speed Queen even before pulling the trigger on getting one. Because it's taller than the old set which was a Maytag Neptune, and there was a shelve up on top that slides out where all the detergent and stuff are put at. It may be too tall for my grandfather or whoever below my height would reach up there and get the stuff out to do laundry. Maybe by getting him a laundry step stool could help solve that problem. I completely agree with John that I'd also never get a stackable set. This cabin my grandfather has including a friend of ours with a similar design is one of those places where it must have a stackable set which I'm personally not a fan of but it's definitely better than nothing. Anyways, that was one of the reasons why I recommended my uncle to get an LG instead because it was shorter in height compare to the SQ. But just yesterday I saw this video for the first time and now I feel like the height can be forgiven as the SQ like John mentioned is easy to repair.

 

[askolover]

My parents have a laundry closet set up for side by side but my mother keeps a stacked set. When her Maytag setup went out she got a new WP Set. I expected them to go back to side by side but she said nope she wanted another stack because she gained more space in that closet. At least it isn't hard to hook things up in there as the cabinets are removable. She's about 5'1" and can reach the top controls ok.

 

[logixx]

 

[combo52]

Servicing the LG wash tower

Reply 20 Bens Appliance review, there's a lot of good information in this review but a lot of glossing over problems and of course it's always easy to service something for standing in the middle of a room.

The big problems are the screws on the side of the control panel. Usually, the machine is against a wall or on one or both sides also the thing is so tall is often no space above it to take out all those screws to take the dryer apart from the front.

Other stupid things LG did is putting the model number stickers on the side of the unit where it won't be accessible for the user when they call for service not being able to take the units apart easily for delivery and installation often you can't get something that tall in a home in one piece they should've also put one cord on it for both machines. It's stupid. They have to run two circuits for one machine. There's no provision for connecting the dryer vent from the front and disconnecting it making for very difficult installations.

It was stupid to compare this machine to an old 24 inch GE top load stack. They should've at least taken a full size 27 inch GE top load stack.

The older whirlpool 24 and 27 inch top load stacks and the Maytag top load stacks were almost 100% serviceable from the front without moving the unit. You could also hook up the dryer vents on the whirlpool units from the front.

The day of top loading stacks is past the current whirlpool units are harder to service. That's for sure if I was gonna buy a top load stack today would have to be the GE. they're not the greatest machines, but they are at least serviceable and have self leveling rear feet which make it possible to install them in tight spaces.

If you have to have a full sized Stack machine today by far the winner is the Speed Queen it's entirely serviceable from the front except for a very few components, most notably, the inlet valve on the washer you do have to get to the back of the machine for. You can also detach the two Speed Queen units to take them apart With just four fasteners. You can literally service any part of the dryer without even moving it the washer you can even replace the motor without moving it drain pumps to boots, etc., etc..

Ben has a very clear bias toward LG by his comments. He did mention the problem they have with over Twerking fasteners. He didn't talk about the cheap flimsy construction of the washer and even more so on the dryer compared to a whirlpool or Maytag product, Electrolux dryers are also particularly flimsy and cheap today also You can really only take them apart and put them back together a couple times before nothing attaches properly anymore all the fasteners strip out and you have to start looking for oversize screws or using screws and nuts to put an Electrolux dryer back together, LG and Samsung both have the same problem.

It's not hard to get parts for any of the major machines although LG and Samsung both have a ridiculous model number system. It's hard to look up parts with our parts distributors personnel make faces and grown when we come in with these ridiculous model numbers from LG and Samsung stuff.

John

 

[kalanikaau1]

Reply# 6

What a coincidence that you should mention delivery companies, I recently ordered a new GE french door fridge which will require all 3 doors to be removed to get it into my kitchen, it's ETA is 12/26.

In addition to the $130 they'll be charging for delivery and haul away of the old fridge they want to charge me and additional $30 R/R fee per door, for a total of $220!

I'm just going to have them set the fridge in a nearby room and remove the doors then place the door-less unit into the kitchen myself.

I simply cannot see paying an additional $90 for a job which will take me 30 minutes tops, the task is made simpler because there are no water/electrical connections in any of the doors.

Rant over...lol