Whirlpool Duet Steam washer dryer

[laundromat]

I went to Smith's and picked up a nice silver (fake stainless steel) Whirlpool Duet Steam washer and matching electric dryer. I stopped there to get a few of the LG top and front loaders he has no interest or time in I felt bad just taking them for free as is so I told Charlie I'd give him $50 for any of the LG,or Whirlpool front and top loaders (no agitator type).most of which come from Lowes and Home Depot and work. Just stupid owners who don't know shit from Shine Ola. Anyway,these are both in immaculate,brand new condition other then the soap marks on the washer glass window. The first run cycle was sanitize and Spray9. Even the boot had absolutely no mold or mildew. The washer has cycles I never had on Duets like an 18 minute Quick.Wash, up to TWO extra rinses,a fan to help keep the mildew down and /or actually dry a light load. Steam cycles, and a whopping 1400 RPM final spin. The matching electric dryer has a male pipe that Charlie assumed was for gas. It's for water. The dryer has steam press cycles and I will wire it tomorrow to test. So far, no fault . Everything works on the washer. It's the quietest Duet I ever owned. I need the owners manual. I may sell these. I almost forgot. Both the washer and dryer have the riser drawers. When we picked them up,we had to lay them on their sides. The bases had absolutely no rust or dust. Not even a cob web. Top of the line set. Probably retailed for over $3000.
I'll run them through a daily set of dirty laundry to see if there are any issues I need to address but, so far, everything works perfectly. However, in dryers,I really prefer gas. Faster,more even drying. I always have problems sending photos or videos here but,once they're in place, I'll try to send a few.

 

[laundromat]

I finally hooked up the dryer. No heat but mother board is good . So,either a relay thermal fuse or heating.element. Not a bad find for $100. So, off to get the other two machines. Both LG. One red . One white. Both front loading . The white one has the square window.

 

[laundromat]

final spin

I am not real fonde of the Duets and found a buyer today at dinner. My disappointments are fair enough. First, when I wash clothes, in my LG front, loaders,an off balance load where it never spins due to going through many trials of a decent spin speed has yet to occur. However, the Duet ,even if, the load is in perfect balance,completely stops, redistributes, then never gets to the final 1400 rpm spin. The spin it gets to is about 1000. I checked the spin speed was on max and it spins slower then the set speed I chose. I know there are hundreds here who swear by the Whirlpool line but I, myself, am having difficulties in seeing ANY quality ( other then quality control ) in their so called " Duet Steam" washing ma,hines. It claims it has a 4.5 cu ft capacity but,the said amount is tight and ,when I put a full load in, I have to add three more gallons of water to saturate the load . Then,when I go to unload them, the clothes are all knotted up together as though it was a Westinghouse Laundromat "Rope maker". I sold the set to a local buyer. She has a two year old Samsung dryer and asked to trade. I literally said " No thanks "because here in Hawaii and all of our islands here,there are no companies, that service them. Then recommended she sell it on Craigs List. I got them for a hundred dollars, replaced the dryer element and thermocouple ( $35 +S&H ) . Sold the pair for only $1800.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I don't know

My Duets have been great, but they are older gen. I have tangling on occasional loads, but most of the time it's fine. It uses plenty of water and the top spin I believe is 1000 RPM.

Honestly, I like the look of the LG's better than the WP, but I'm not sure I trust LG nearly as much as WP. I know WP isn't perfect either though. I know many people are happy with their LG's, but I've had all WP made appliances in my house since 2004 and overall I find them to be very reliable. I've only replaced the dishwasher, nothing else. But that said, I have been tempted for my next washer to be LG front load, but I think I'll end up getting a Maytag FL WP washer when my Duet dies.

 

[laundromat]

I have had both. If the Whirlpools had been more devoted to style and performance and less in just putting their name on the machines made in Germany . They have yet to give easy access to the button catcher most other brands supply access to by building a small door that gives the owner/user the ability to clear out any debris that could harm its pump. Why pay WP or any brand repair tech to come clean out your lint filter??????!!!!!!!!
My Whirlpools,KitchenAids, GEs, Kenmores, Frigidaires, and Maytag Neptune front loaders have all had similar issues from mold to spider pulley, pump to tub seal leakage, barings to outer tub breakage, every one of them less then three years old. Dying way too young. The LGs I sold, bought for myself new, got free or cheap , are all still in use. I just replaced a broken pressure switch that broke from a severe off balance jerk as it was attempting to spin out three feather pillows. It hit the area the air hose was connected to breaking it and causing a leak. That was the unit I purchased from Sallys Shop and replaced its door lock assembly. As long as they are not abused, my preference is hands down on LG. Easier to repair and less issues then any other brand I've ever had.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I agree

it's insane they don't have a door latch access to the pump. With My duet, I take the bottom panel off to access the pump, but the most I have ever found is a small piece of lint so I stopped checking it. It seems like I read where it is now even more difficult to access the FL WP or Maytag pumps than it is with bottom panel access that mine is...

I notice your name is laundromat.....are you saying you have these LG's in a laundromat or at home? Not sure if you are a collector or run a biz. I think I remember a post from you a long time ago about LGs but it's a blur.

Back when I got my Duet in 2005, on forums, some had LG, and they were complaining at what a big mistake they made because something went wrong and they had backordered parts and they had to wait weeks for repair and only a few serviced them.....I guess that has stuck in my mind over the years so I guess things have changed a lot.

 

[logixx]

This is how Electrolux allows the user to clean the filter on some of their budget European models.

 

[appnut]

His alias Laundromat is referring to Westinghouse Laundromats. 

 

[LaVidaBoem]

Well, let's just open the whole can of Worms...

Hello,

I started thinking 'bout your post when it hit the top yesterday.

Was then intrigued tonight when I saw it again,... and wondered.

Some of your comments hit home; as I was torn a few years back about whether to go with Whirlly or Maytag for a good frontload.
"..the styling of the Wirlpool"

Went with the Maytag for the "Look"...
Just thought that duet is the ugliest thing...what were they thinking?

Now, you are telling me, that my junkyard full of LG's, and not 'ner one of Whirrly's/Maytag in it anywhere, are better?
I knew y'all smoked some good shit in LaLa Land,... but Really??

Well, my friend, we just gonna have to keep token on that one...and learn to diagree agreeably!!

I tend not to agree :_)

My in the am "project" is some poor soul's old LG, with the drum about to fall out...
As you would say, bad barings!! _)

What I was going to ask either of you above, the other day I wondered did the Whirlpool cabinets have the MFG date and color stamped in them?
IE, on the inside of the lower panel you are talking about removing to gain access to the pump, is the service lit, and beside it, the color.
Mine is stamped DEC 2008, Forrest Green.

Anyway, have a good one,
LaVidaBoem

Post Script: Maxima 5000 Steam