Which washer is the best--or at least awful?

[j2400]

A friend has a Frigidaire ("Horizon 2000") that was probably made in the early 90s.

She has just acquired another machine from the early 90s, a Kenmore "Series 70."

I realize that neither is exactly a dream come true. I've heard the comments here about the WCI Frigidaire that can't turn a piece of Kleenex over, and the "shredmore." However, she plans to keep one machine, and pass the other on to someone she knows who does not have a washer right now. Her current thought is that she wants to keep the better of the two--or at least, the least awful--and pass the lesser of the two on.

Opinions?

 

[tuthill]

Please not the WCI

Get rid of the WCI. They simply will not clean the clothes. Period.

Tell her to keep the Shredmore, run on high water level only. Use the perm press cycle with relatively low cycle times.

 

[volvoguy87]

Kenmore.

For all its faults, it still outperforms the WCI monster and it's more relaible too. It may require a coupler replacement, but that's pretty much it under normal use.

Why can't they all be belt drives?
Dave

 

[tuthill]

Why can't they all be belt drives

Progress Dave, progress. LOL

 

[stainfighter]

Kenmore

agree with Jon, no turnover with the WCI; nothing. Our old Monkey Wards version is still going strong for the gal that bought it from us (and, we bought it second hand). That was 8 years ago. Belt drive, I don't think it even spun higher than 500 rpm!

 

[cleanteamofny]

Go with the Kenmore. Most loads will wash clean with normal soil position on the timer. 10 minuets is more than enough.
Please keep in mind, the Permanent Press cycle uses more water for the cool down and would be consider a waste to do every load on that cycle.
More water/slow final spin, defeats any energy savings.

 

[magic clean]

Direct-drive

"Why can't they all be belt drives"?

"Progress Dave, progress".

The direct drive has been around since the early 1980's and has been in full production since 1986. There are numerous advantages to this very simple machine versus its predecessor.
Many machines 20+ year old continue to serve their owners.

28 to 30,000 a day roll off the Ohio assembly line. Seems like most folks find them agreeable.

 

[jasonl]

The shredmores with the dual action or triple action agitator seem to be ok without a whole lot of shredding and ripping. Just get a decent one that lets you select medium speed for washing and high speed for spinning.

They won't die. You can't kill them (maybe bust a coupler).

But like a 70s BSR record changer, I've seen enough of them.

 

[pierreandreply4]

i would also recomend that you go with the kenmore washer as well.

 

[maytaga407]

I would go with the kenmore.

 

[alr2903]

MagicClean

I had no idea that many wp and kenmore and all the other clones are manufactured daily,( 28 to 30,000)? Are any of the FL machines carrying these labels mfr. in the U.S.? So in 2012 if the TL machines are outlawed, Thats a whole lotta jobs lost. Scary, sad alr2903

 

[volsboy1]

Depends on how much you want to spend.My Mom bought a G.E. Harmony and I LOVE IT.There is no Transmission just a Pancake motor and no agitator there is a wash plate and a steel basket.Its very simple really I dropped a hammer and it hit the cold water pipe and some rust screwed the Valves up.The Repair man came and its like a lego.He fixed it and gave me the old to fix.There huge, quite and Tree hugger or Water hog thats the plus YOU HAVE A CHOICE.Plus a see thru lid and 10 year warranty total..The bad part is the 1200 Price tag but after that NIGHTMARE of a Frontloader it was worth it for her.

 

[gmmcnair]

Kenmore

Have had both....the direct drive Whirlpool/Kenmore beats the other hands down EVERY time. Just don't overload it, and it won't shred.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

I agree with all the others on here - the Kenmore DD is a good option when given that or the WCI. I have a 1993 DD that I enjoy. I would very much prefer to use my belt drives because of their noises, their build quality, as well as the old time memories, but the DD machines aren't as bad as some people would have us believe. Just like the BDs before them, they've lasted in production relatively unchanged for many many years, giving testament to the design's viability.

As for overloading, I agree on that too - I don't know why some people insist on packing a washer until stuff doesn't move properly, us here especially. After all, if we load them a little less, we wind up being able to run more loads! This is much better for the machine and for the clothes in the long run.