Whirlpool ends Production of KitchenAid Toploaders

[drewz]

Wanted to order new set, KitchenAid Suprba top loading washer & gas dryer only to find out that they have stopped production of the last two model sets.

KAW 750 & KAW 850 Suprba also all matching dryers.

I hate this these were the only two top loading machines in the entire Whirlpool line that had a 10yr warranty on trans!

All that's left are the Ensemble front loaders and the Super $$$ Built-In Stainless Steel Set for KitchenAid now.

 

[appnut]

confirms rumor KA was dropping its laundry line and puttijng those efforts into the Maytag brand.

 

[oxydolfan1]

I have actually seen very few KitchenAid washers in my area.

 

[DADoES]

KA toploaders are here, although not to the numbers of Kenmore, Whirlpool, GE, and Maytag. I have a 1991 pair, and my parents bought a set in 1994.

 

[oxydolfan1]

Are the quality differences between KitchenAid and high-end Whirlpool washers of that era more pronounced then, let's say, the KitchenAid and Whirlpool dishwashers of the same period?

 

[johnb300m]

It totally makes sense that they would do this. KitchenAid is more of a "Kitchen" appliance brand. The laundry never made sense to me. What makes sense to me is WP making Maytag the premier laundry line, since it has far better brand recognition in laundry than KitchenAid ever did. I've only seen 1 actual KitchenAid washer, and it was at a Sears store. Otherwise, the most prominant washers are actually "Maytag" and "whirlpool."

I think this is the first time in a long time I actually agree with a company's marketing tactic.

 

[johnb300m]

It totally makes sense that they would do this. KitchenAid is more of a "Kitchen" appliance brand. The laundry never made sense to me. What makes sense to me is WP making Maytag the premier laundry line, since it has far better brand recognition in laundry than KitchenAid ever did. I've only seen 1 actual KitchenAid washer, and it was at a Sears store. Otherwise, the most prominant washers are actually "Maytag" and "whirlpool."

I think this is the first time in a long time I actually agree with a company's marketing tactic.

 

[agiflow]

It's too bad that TL washers are for the most part dwindling away. It would have been nice if WP offered a Maytag TL washer that had the build quality of the KA washers & dryers.

That f****** DOE screwed everything up!

 

[tomturbomatic]

Scott, The GREAT difference between WP and KA toploaders is that all but the most basic KA washers had the three speed motor so that the "regular speed" agitation was done on the motor's medium speed. The slower motor speed coupled with KA's special agitator with larger skirt and fins made the washing action much gentler that the fast thrash WP style. High motor speed was reserved for draining and the fast spin speed. The KA machines also had upgraded sound insulation. I treasure mine.

The dream at the time WP bought KA was to make KA an entire premium appliance line. Early KA builtin cooking pieces were from the old Chambers line, then WP. They even made an upgraded 24" Thin Twin stack washer and dryer for the KA badge, but not the 27" super thin twin which is a fabulous laundry center. Fortunately, WP had a good line of appliances which they could badge KA, unlike Maytag that bought poor, old dying companies and slapped the Maytag name on pieces of crap. It worked once for each customer after which they were so disgusted with Maytag they were loath to buy Maytag washers, dryers and dishwashers. It was almost impossible to line up the refrigerator and freezer doors on their early side-by sides from Admiral. They had a much improved refrigeration line when they went with Amana.

 

[oxydolfan1]

See, now I would have loved the medium speed during washing on my 1988-vintage Whirlpool (daily driver)....as I've mentioned to GadgetGary, whose ex has virtually the identical model, the frenetic wash action is effective, but does a number on dress and uniform shirts that still require vigorous wash action to get clean. The KitchenAid program you describe would seem to have solved that problem neatly...

I do hope I will not begin to see the Maytag and Admiral machines they sell at places like Home Depot appearing en masse at the curb on bulk day, as I walk to the bus!

This happened with a certain series of Amanas a few years ago....I keep hoping that perhaps a mid-tier foreign investor will purchase the rights to these venerable nameplates and put out at least decent-quality, new-technology equipment, but I guess this is not realistic on my part.

I'm going to do more research on KitchenAid for my own knowledge. In case I come across one of these in my travels, I'd want to know if it is something my friend and I could rebuild (I would assume Whirlpool would continue to have replacement parts and the like.)

 

[DADoES]

KA also carried a stronger warranty. My KA dryer has a porcelain top, which I don't think Whirlpool does on their standard TL line. KA electric dryers had (or did at one time) a more robust heating element, IIRC mine was warranted for 5 years. My 1991 760 washer has a layer of fiberglass insulation under the base. My parent's 1994 670 is labeled "Quiet Scrub" but doesn't have the extra insulation layer. Both are 3-speed.

 

[gansky1]

Here is my 87 Rapid-Advance, all pushbutton model washer. It doesn't have the three speed motor & larger agitator - that came a little later, but I still use this washer a lot and it's sooo pretty!

KA washers also had a hot-dipped/galvanized cabinet (no rust) and heavy porcelain on the lid and top. The motor bearings and dryer rollers were heavy bronze usually found in the commercial models, which almost will never give any trouble and the older dryers had a six-ribbed belt which lasts far longer.

 

[retromom]

If American manufacturers are phasing out top loading washers, starting with KitchenAid makes perfect sense. The washers aren't as readily available in most big box stores as the regular names are. Is it true that, currently, KitchenAid is the only major appliance brand to offer more than a one year warranty?

I also agree with John, in that most consumers think of KitchenAid as being kitchen related. You have only to walk into Lowe's to see everything from KitchenAid Coffee Mills to the standard KitchenAid mixers.

I guess it starts with KitchenAid and will work its way down.

 

[DADoES]

KA washers also had a hot-dipped/galvanized cabinet (no rust) and heavy porcelain on the lid and top.

The parents' 1994 KA has some rusting under/around the loading port, even creeping up stained on the white porcelain. My 1991 doesn't (not yet, last time I looked).

Lacks and Western Auto here carries (carried!) KA toploaders.

F&P has a full two-year warranty (still, far as I recall), but I suppose they aren't a major brand. My 1998 F&P GWL08 and DE04 had five years manufacturer warranty (two years full, three more years parts-only for sending in the registration card). They don't do five years any more, that I know.

 

[gansky1]

Well, I didn't say the porcelain was perfect ;-) Mine has some of the same issues around the bleach dispenser opening and corners of the lid...

 

[cny4]

I have a superba pair purchased Jan of 1997.

The washer has the aformentioned rust starting. It has been repaired twice, a plastic part in the drive line broke twice. My repair person said it is a commonly broken part on WP made direct drives. The bleach dispenser sucks; it holds bleach and redeposits it in the following loads. I have had several dark pieces of clothing ruined by this. Consequently I do not use the dispenser any longer. The dryer takes an extemely long time to dry a load sometimes 1-2 hours. Are these problems normal?

 

[DADoES]

If you're referring to the drive coupler between the motor and transmission, yes they do break sometimes. They're supposed to be the weak link to protect the transmission against damage in case something jams it, but breakage shouldn't occur *that* often unless of constant overloading, washing shoes (which can cause undue stress on the agitator), etc.

The drive coupler in my parents' 1994 KA was replaced on 12/28/2006, which is approximately 12 years of use.

My 1991 KA hasn't been used in about two years. As I recall, I replaced the drive coupler on it sometime in summer of 2004, which would be approx 13 years of use.

Drying shouldn't take that long. You probably have an obstruction in your vent duct.

 

[tomturbomatic]

cny4, One of the main things with the KA's breaking the drive coupler between the motor and the tranny has to do with KA's 3 speed motor being heavier than the two speed motor. The piece of metal it is mounted on is the same gauge as the mount for the 2 speed motor. If, during transit, the carton containing the washer is set down a bit too hard, the weight of the motor at the point of the sudden stop would tug just hard enough on the supporting flange to pull the motor slightly out of alignment with the connector to the tranny. Over the years of dealing with the misalignment, the coupler would break. If a customer had more than one replaced, John would check to see how the motor was hanging and push it back up into the proper position so all of the pieces lined up better. There is also a commercial donut that conects the 3 pegs from each side together. It has cording in the rubber like stuff for reinforcement and is not smooth like the domestic part is.

 

[cny4]

I cleaned the dryer vent tubing out about a month ago, at that time it was taking 2-3 hours to dry a load. The 1-2 hours it takes now is the same as from the day I bought it brand new. I use the automated sensor part and it takes 1-2 cycles depending on what you are drying. The timed cycle generally is about the same.