What would you buy today

[cny4]

After listening to pros and con about the different laundry machines made today I pose a question to all.

If you had to buy a new washer today what would you buy? Please give your choice for both a TL and FL (unless you despise one or the other).

I am especially interested in what the professional repair people on this board would purchase since they know which brands are the most trouble free and easiest to repair.

 

[pulsator]

For a TL machine, I'd definetly get the Kenmore Oasis! For an FL machine (which I am more likely to get) definetly a MIELE!!!! lol

 

[exploder3211]

Ohhhh My

If i wanted a Top Loader i would get.... Anything vintage.. For new i would get either a Frigidaire or Kenmore

BUT if i where to have buy a new unit right now, i would either get a middle of the pack Bosch or (and this is more likley) a Frigidaire Affinty

 

[frigilux]

Front-loader: Whirlpool Duet/Maytag Epic/Kenmore He5
Top-loader: Just bought a TOL Frigidaire, but only because of the indexing tub and it matches my current Frigi pair. If I was looking for the best TL'er, probably Cabrio/Oasis.

 

[coldspot66]

For price and dependability, you can't beat a Whirlpool made direct drive T/L washer....proven design and easy to service; a repairman's dream.

 

[oxydolfan1]

TL...Inglis or Frigidaire 300 dollar model at Best Buy...

FL...Whirlpool Duet Sport, Frigidaire Affinity, or 2140 model.

If money were not such an issue...

TL...Fisher & Paykel base model.

FL...Miele (not new, larger model)

Dryers MUST match. The only washer for whom its matching dryer might be worrisome are the Frigidaire TLs (I have no experience with them).

Kenmore is out of the running for the time being until 1)someone can explain to me why their TL washing scores were so abysmal in Consumer Reports, and until they REMOVE those ridiculous smoked-glass doors and put a WINDOW where it oughta be!!

(Yes, I've been shopping. And watching "Mommie Dearest", lol!

 

[oxydolfan1]

Oh, if an LG's price were to be wheedelable down to that of the Frigidaire top-load lineup, I could be persuaded to consider it, but, as far as I'm concerned, they still have an unproven track record.

 

[volvoguy87]

Best modern washers.

Top Loading Best: Maytag Dependable Care (while you can still get one).
Top Loading Second Best: Whirlpool-made direct drive.

Front Loading: Anything but LG and GE.

Top loading all the way,
Dave

 

[oxydolfan1]

Which FL gives you a higher water level...Duet Sport or Affinity?

 

[danemodsandy]

TL's Only For Me

I'd actually like to try one of the new Speed Queen TL's, but the service situation concerns me a bit- they've got to get their act together on that before I'd actually commit. Nothing worse than a product that has great potential getting sabotaged by lack of ready service.

 

[agiflow]

TL washer: Oasis/cabrio and Speed Queen.

 

[rinso]

If my Hetties burned down and I had to replace them, I don't know what I'd do.

Horizontal axis machines are more efficient and by the nature of their tumble action, probably better cleaners and I've owned two Frigidaire sets as well. But, as someone else mentioned, I think the current offering of FL machines from all manufacturers leaves something to be desired. These machines are definitely more weird-behaving, repair-prone, inflexible, and require more operator skill then their top-loading predecessors. My Hetties are especially quirky and the cycle length and time it takes to balance the load is aggrivating. Both Frigidaires actully did a better job on the laundry, but I'm guessing no attempt has been made on those machines to build in a better seal and bearing assembly.

A 1-18 set in new condition, or a late model helical drive Maytag set would suffice until manufacturers get the FL machine quality a little more stable.

 

[washoholic]

FL definitely go for LG TOMM. You get what you pay for. They have the most refined FLer.

The machine fills in spurts to start and then long flushes so that the detergent doesn’t overflow out of the dispenser. It’s the only FL that allows the use of liquid detergent in the pre-wash and the wash.

There’s a spin after the pre-wash and before the wash (Others just drain and refill).

The washer has a neutral drain and a flush where the pump cycles on and off when the pre-wash & wash water is drained before the spin to prevent suds lock. It also flushes after each rinse.

It recalculates the wash and rinse water so it can use less water and energy and still saturates the clothes.

The TROMM is the only FL that has a cycle w/ gentle tumbling, but still spins between the wash and all rinses (BABY WEAR).

The balancing before the spin has been perfected so it doesn’t take a long time. It spins in either direction and if the load is unbalance it will stop and immediately spin the other way (The others stop then tumble in one direction and then the other 6 to 8 times before trying to spin again and they only spin in one direction.)

Stay away from GE Warranty service. If you buy an extended warranty be sure to buy the LG and not the GE.

 

[pulsatron]

Another Twintub or recon Hoover front loader

I would not buy an automatic top loader anymore as all the models that I am aware of here in Australia have those blasted computerized control panels which I simply do not like, If I were to buy a new machine I would go the the Hitachi PSB99BP 8kg twintub.
As for front loader never again would I buy Bosch,I would go for a reconditioned Hoover Electra front loader.
Cheers.
Steve.

 

[peterh770]

I went to Sears this weekend to check out the new, renovated mall and the appliances. I must say, only the Maytag LAV model or a Speed Queen are the only toploaders I would buy. Everything else appears to be either crap or really hard on clothes.

As for frontloaders, I think Frigidaire is holding my attention much better than anything else, altho' some of the WP and Kenmore offerings are intreguing.

 

[westytoploader]

Honestly, from the reliability problems (as well as complaints of laundry not getting clean from the ultra-low water usage), I don't care for ANY of the residential front-loaders on the market today. The only FL I would ever buy would be a commercial Wascomat on-premises version...which I do intend to have.

For a top-loader, it would be a choice between the Maytag LAV, Speed Queen, Fisher & Paykel Intuitive, or Kenmore Oasis/Whirlpool Cabrio AGI version...anything that uses plenty of water. I would NEVER have anything Energy Star rated, that's for sure.

--Austin

 

[easyspindry]

I have a relatively new Fisher & Paykel Intuitive set -- top load dryer. I'm very pleased with both of them. The controls are electronic, but very easy to program the way you want them. In fact, the washer has a setting for "standard washer" or some such setting -- that makes the washer work like an old automatic.

The way the washer is made with a direct current motor and no transmission, I understand there is not much to go wrong.

If the load calls for heavy wash action, man it'll sling water all over the place with a HARD 360 degree stroke. But if the load calls for a more gentle stroke, it'll do that, too. The washer decides which to do -- and so far, I have not disagreed with its choice.

It's about the only TL that spins at 1000 rpm, I think.

My only complaint is that the top on the washer locks immediately when the washer starts. After complaints about not being able to watch it, I had some help in figuring out a way to fool the machine into thinking the lid is closed and locked. Now I can watch everything it does.

The dryer is fast and quiet. And I'm enjoying not having to bend over every time I load or unload the dryer. Also, by it being top load, it makes no difference on which side of the washer it sits.

Jerry Gay

 

[jonv112]

It's about the only TL that spins at 1000 rpm, I think.

Actually, the Oasis HE/Cabrio HE spin at about 1050RPM. The lid also locks at the beginning at the cycle, but it has a glass-lid, and depending on the cycle you choose, also has a 360 degree stroke, and is excellent in rolling over large amounts of clothes.

 

[tumbler]

Best machines

I'm partial to front-loaders. In my opinion, both as a consumer and a repairman, I'm convinced that the Whirlpool Duet (full-size, not "Sport") are the best on the market. Not only are they super efficient, they have by far the best reliability record, the best pre-spin load distribution protocol (prevents vibration), and a great parts and service network. Before I bought mine, I priced out the parts most likely to need replacement after the warranty runs out; the circuit boards (3) and the drain pump. I compared the prices with those of other brands, and Whirlpool came out ahead. LG "TROMM" is a disaster as far as parts and service availability; they won't let anyone stock their parts, and they take forever to get. The quality of the G.E., Frigidaire, and Maytag Neptune just isn't there. Note that the Kenmore HE-3 and HE-4, and the new Maytag EPIC are actually Duets dressed up differently. The Duet can wash a kng-size comforter. If you're after a smaller machine, I suppose the small Fridgidaire/Kenmore, small Whirlpool or equivalent will do the job, but you must be VERY CARFEFUL not to use non-h.e. detergent; it will oversuds, get into the poorly protected tub bearing, strip out the grease and there goes the bearing. If it's a top loader you're after, I'd go with either the Whrlpool Cabrio or the Kenmore Oasis in a new machine. A vintage top-loader is also an excellent suggestion, like one of the Frigidaires with the up-and-down agitator. They have a very fast spin. So does the '47 G.E. Stay away from vintage front-loaders-most of them have a very slow spin speed.