I would think this thread has been around, but would love some advice...which FL to purchase?. I have read some horror story threads on front loaders. I don't want to spend thousands, was hoping for around $600.00. I thought LG was the way to go then I read about the "spider" issue which is pretty unbelievable. WP/Kenmore scares me. Was leaning toward Samsung. then read about the "no one wants to service" issue. Thought about Frigidare Affinity, many AW.org members seem to like. Who makes Frigidare? Pleas help. Should I look to HE top load like waveforce or new Elites?
Which FL washer?
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Be very careful with the Affinities. I am very disappointed in my two-year old washer. I believe they've made some improvements with cycle options on the later ones, but you have to be sure you're buying one of those, not getting a dirt cheap deal on the older type like mine.
I really, really liked my Whirlpool Duet HT. I would recommend looking at one of those, or one of its re-badged clones such as Maytag. It's my understanding that Kenmore FL's are now made by LG or Samsung, not Whirlpool, but have read that Sears is re-thinking that decision due to parts and service headaches associated with Korean brands.
I really, really liked my Whirlpool Duet HT. I would recommend looking at one of those, or one of its re-badged clones such as Maytag. It's my understanding that Kenmore FL's are now made by LG or Samsung, not Whirlpool, but have read that Sears is re-thinking that decision due to parts and service headaches associated with Korean brands.
which FL washer
What about GE Profile? I've seen some disturbing videos on You Tube with huge vibration issues. Is this common for the majority of GE's or just random instances. My wife and I have had very good luck with GE appliances over a 30 year period (contrary to what many say). Have a top of the line slide in range and french door fridge and very pleased and a 26 year old gas dryer, repaired only twice, but on its last legs now.
What about GE Profile? I've seen some disturbing videos on You Tube with huge vibration issues. Is this common for the majority of GE's or just random instances. My wife and I have had very good luck with GE appliances over a 30 year period (contrary to what many say). Have a top of the line slide in range and french door fridge and very pleased and a 26 year old gas dryer, repaired only twice, but on its last legs now.
passatdoc
Well-known member
Frigidaire
Frigidaire is made by Electrolux. The sticker inside my dryer drum says "Augusta, Georgia"....I don't know if this is the plant location or corporate headquarters, but it does say "made in USA". However, my 1442 dryer is from 2006---to know manufacture information for current models, you'd need to check a unit in a showroom and look for the sticker.
I've had good luck with my 2140 washer, and most people post good experience with its sister model 2940. The Affinity series 6000-8000 was the one that seemed to have the problems. These are often sold at huge discounts, often below the price of the more basic 2140/2940 (which are still being made), as rp2813 warned above.
The "new" Affinity series, which seems to incorporate many features of the TOL Electrolux washers, seems much better, though only one or two posters here own them and can actually speak from first hand experience. They are:
4011: 4.0 cu ft, no heater but ATC
4272: 4.2 cu ft, with heater
4273-4274: 4.4 cu ft, with heater and steam
Retailers in my area offer the 4272 for the high 600s, and it's possible you could find a 4011 (if you don't need a heater) for about $600. The 4273-4274 are in the $750-850 range.
Due to the drop in home sales in the USA, fewer people are moving and that means fewer washer/dryers being sold. This seems to have exerted downward pressure on appliance prices. For example, the BOL Electrolux washer, which never seemed to go below $1200, is now approaching $1000 at some discounters.
If your budget is $600 max, you might consider a 2940. It was a Consumer Reports Best Buy for four or five years in a row. It has ATC but no heater. Also, in areas where water agency rebates are offered, the 2140/2940 often no longer qualify, having been overtaken by stricter EPA rules (for the era in which they were introduced, c.2004-5, they were water-thrifty). The new Affinity machines in general do qualify for water rebates, and gas company rebates in many instances. My 2140 qualified for a $100 water rebate and a $50 gas rebate, thus $150 back on a $600 purchase. My 2140 still washes great and is approaching five years of age. If I could do it over again, I would have chosen the 2140 for two reasons:
1. Auto Temp Control on the 2940, not on the 2140
2. Variable Delay Wash: fixed eight hours delay on 2140; variable delay 4-12 hours on 2940. I use this feature far more than I would have guessed when I bought it. It's great for setting up a load to wash and spin just before you wake up, return from errands, or come home from work. The 2140 eight hour feature is ok, but often I come home 12 hours after leaving for work and I don't want a wet load of clothes sitting in a sealed FL washer for four hours before I can remove them.
Frigidaire is made by Electrolux. The sticker inside my dryer drum says "Augusta, Georgia"....I don't know if this is the plant location or corporate headquarters, but it does say "made in USA". However, my 1442 dryer is from 2006---to know manufacture information for current models, you'd need to check a unit in a showroom and look for the sticker.
I've had good luck with my 2140 washer, and most people post good experience with its sister model 2940. The Affinity series 6000-8000 was the one that seemed to have the problems. These are often sold at huge discounts, often below the price of the more basic 2140/2940 (which are still being made), as rp2813 warned above.
The "new" Affinity series, which seems to incorporate many features of the TOL Electrolux washers, seems much better, though only one or two posters here own them and can actually speak from first hand experience. They are:
4011: 4.0 cu ft, no heater but ATC
4272: 4.2 cu ft, with heater
4273-4274: 4.4 cu ft, with heater and steam
Retailers in my area offer the 4272 for the high 600s, and it's possible you could find a 4011 (if you don't need a heater) for about $600. The 4273-4274 are in the $750-850 range.
Due to the drop in home sales in the USA, fewer people are moving and that means fewer washer/dryers being sold. This seems to have exerted downward pressure on appliance prices. For example, the BOL Electrolux washer, which never seemed to go below $1200, is now approaching $1000 at some discounters.
If your budget is $600 max, you might consider a 2940. It was a Consumer Reports Best Buy for four or five years in a row. It has ATC but no heater. Also, in areas where water agency rebates are offered, the 2140/2940 often no longer qualify, having been overtaken by stricter EPA rules (for the era in which they were introduced, c.2004-5, they were water-thrifty). The new Affinity machines in general do qualify for water rebates, and gas company rebates in many instances. My 2140 qualified for a $100 water rebate and a $50 gas rebate, thus $150 back on a $600 purchase. My 2140 still washes great and is approaching five years of age. If I could do it over again, I would have chosen the 2140 for two reasons:
1. Auto Temp Control on the 2940, not on the 2140
2. Variable Delay Wash: fixed eight hours delay on 2140; variable delay 4-12 hours on 2940. I use this feature far more than I would have guessed when I bought it. It's great for setting up a load to wash and spin just before you wake up, return from errands, or come home from work. The 2140 eight hour feature is ok, but often I come home 12 hours after leaving for work and I don't want a wet load of clothes sitting in a sealed FL washer for four hours before I can remove them.
I personally would stick with the time honored basic machine, actually one of the first redesigns in Front Loaders, built by Frigidaire, or Electrolux by now, basic machine, decent capacity, a high spin speed and plenty of options, and they corrected the dispenser issues with solenoid activations....
AND you can adjust the water level if needed with a simple phillips screwdriver......
heres a link to sears.....but with the holidays coming up, and you hit the sale just right, you can get both the washer and dryer for under $700.00.........plus rebates........with tax and rebates, my sister got hers last Black Friday for close to $600.00 for the set....but no extended warranty
AND you can adjust the water level if needed with a simple phillips screwdriver......
heres a link to sears.....but with the holidays coming up, and you hit the sale just right, you can get both the washer and dryer for under $700.00.........plus rebates........with tax and rebates, my sister got hers last Black Friday for close to $600.00 for the set....but no extended warranty
kqkenmore
Well-known member
Samsung. then read about the "no one wants to service
Samsung sucks I have the washer and dryer and they are a piece of junk and no one wants to service them or seems to be capable to do I have had 2 servicers and they donot know what the hell they are doing they are just wasting my time. I hate them DO NOT BUY SAMSUNG
Samsung sucks I have the washer and dryer and they are a piece of junk and no one wants to service them or seems to be capable to do I have had 2 servicers and they donot know what the hell they are doing they are just wasting my time. I hate them DO NOT BUY SAMSUNG
3beltwesty
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2010
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- 1,057
In Google type in "XXX aluminum spider corrosion".
Substitute XXX with the brand name like Sears, GE, Whirlpool, Maytag, Frigidaire, LG, Samsung, Amana, Electrolux, ACME, etc.
You will find that about very brand has some folks documenting the woes they had.
In Youtube search for FL washers with issues. About every brand has some wild machines where the spider has broken and the machine is going nuts.
There are also folks who have these same brands in FL washers with no issues too.
The added mystery is that most folks rate their FL washer well in reviews; when it is about new.
One really has no clues of what water hardness, what bleach usage, what detergent; what water temperature folks used in these failures. One really does not even know it they leave the door open; or the number of washes the washer did either. Thus a failed ACME FL washer that died in 3.5 years might last another 10 to 12 years.
One as a consumer really does not know how long that 600 buck FL or TL washer is going to last.
To make the issue even more muddy; who makes what is confusing. Samsung makes some units that have the Maytag label. Thus you read the post above and avoid a Samsung; but buy the exact same design with a Maytag model number; because your aunt had a Maytag that lasted 1/4 century with 6 kids.
Substitute XXX with the brand name like Sears, GE, Whirlpool, Maytag, Frigidaire, LG, Samsung, Amana, Electrolux, ACME, etc.
You will find that about very brand has some folks documenting the woes they had.
In Youtube search for FL washers with issues. About every brand has some wild machines where the spider has broken and the machine is going nuts.
There are also folks who have these same brands in FL washers with no issues too.
The added mystery is that most folks rate their FL washer well in reviews; when it is about new.
One really has no clues of what water hardness, what bleach usage, what detergent; what water temperature folks used in these failures. One really does not even know it they leave the door open; or the number of washes the washer did either. Thus a failed ACME FL washer that died in 3.5 years might last another 10 to 12 years.
One as a consumer really does not know how long that 600 buck FL or TL washer is going to last.
To make the issue even more muddy; who makes what is confusing. Samsung makes some units that have the Maytag label. Thus you read the post above and avoid a Samsung; but buy the exact same design with a Maytag model number; because your aunt had a Maytag that lasted 1/4 century with 6 kids.
kqkenmore
Well-known member
well to be honest with you I have not a clue on what he washer to buy because my experence is that they do well in the begeaning but it seems like that after a year they are A piece of junk i have had more than my share of these units because of Sears protection agreemnets I first had the Kenmore/Frigidare and i have to say that it did wash and rinse very well but the quality was just not there so sears repalced them a Kenmore/Whirlpool set it was sturdier but after about a year they atarted to have issues with the computers and the clothes were just not clean and they smelled awful and I did everything that I was suppose to do to clean the washer bleach, cascade,lestoil,I left the door open so it would air out. They had a bad leaking issue so I had to say good by to them.I then got the Oasis Kenmore and the clothes just did not come clean so they were repalced by the wonderful Samsung beautuful set but the washer is after about a year but also during that year bleach was not being dispensed right and is runing my clothes I have had towels that have holes in them and I did not know what the deal was until now but the service with Samsung is horrable (I would take Sears any day)They send servicers out that do not know what to do and do not return calls so I am still waiting for resolution but have not received it yet. I want a Speed queen and am going to get one soon. So all I can say is good luck. Carl
3beltwesty
Well-known member
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- Nov 29, 2010
- Messages
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Spare replacement parts like pumps give clues as to whom made which washer too. A pump like a GE WH23X10026 fits some GE, some LG; some Samsung washers for a reason. Often the same place made all three washer models. Thus if one thinks that brand #2 is better than #3 in shopping; you might find yourself just comparing the same washer with different trim/name.
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