Whirlpool ends Production of KitchenAid Toploaders

[zipdang]

...KA toploaders have an 18% frequency-of-repair rate....

The Superba TL I purchased in 2003 had issues. It had to have both tubs replaced because of leaks, and the timer had to be replaced because it kept shorting out. Once fixed the machine ran for two years without a single service issue, then I got ants in my pants (typical) and got something new. My sister-in-law bought the same washer just weeks after I did, and her machine developed the same timer issues mine had. She's a little "oh...whatever" about those things, so has never scheduled a service call. (If you push the timer in and let it sit for a while it will eventually work again.)

I was surprised that both of the machines in my family had what I consider factory defects, as my previous experience with Whirlpool's DD units was that they were very reliable. Perhaps someone on KitchenAid's QC line fell asleep on the job?

 

[cny4]

That's is why I was venting about some of the issues with my machines. CR has had Kitchen Aid near the bottom of the list for a few years while Roper is always near the top, what gives?

Repair people care to elaborate their experiences?

 

[tomturbomatic]

CNY4, Have you ever opened the door after about 20 minutes of drying and felt the clothes? Are they slightly warm or good and warm? Are you using the auto dry or timed dry cycles? One thing about the 29 inch dryers with the U-shaped air pattern is that if you dry a really huge load, they are not as efficient as dryers that have the back to front axial air flow. As a giant load dries and takes up more space, it can keep the air from circulating all the way to the front before going out through the exhaust. If you are washing very large loads in the KA washer with its (now)relatively slow spin speed, it would not be uncommon for for the load to take around an hour and a half to dry. You are using the cycle/speed setting which gives the normal spin speed for cottons, not a slower spin, right? The washer motor sounds different when you listen to it in the final spin on the regular cycle than it does on the delicate cycle, I hope. You are not in a situation like an apartment community where you are served by 208 volt electric service instead of 220, are you? Hope these questions do not insult your intelligence. I am trying to eliminate any factors that might be causing your drying speed to be lengthened unnecessarily. Tom

 

[user 12105]

I think WP had some timer issues with the late 80's/ early 90's timers in their line as well. We had an DD bought in 1988 that developed issues when you would set the machine on PP. You had to play around with the dial for the machine to start filling.

This eventually happened on all the cycles when it went to the crusher in 2003. Very good performance otherwise with that lint filter Surgilator that washed just as well or better than the DD DAA.

 

[frigilux]

Interesting! My 1990 KA toploader was serviced twice in the scant 2 years I owned it. First the timer gave out, then it refused to agitate. Unfortunately, I don't recall what caused the agitation problem.

I liked the machine a lot----very sturdy and stylish and porcelained, but I never keep washers to the end of their natural lives. I wanted a FLer again, so the KA was soon out the door.

 

[cny4]

Tomturbomatic:

You are correct, we usually dry large loads, we hardly ever move the water level off extra large. The clothes are good and warm; and wet after 20 minutes. I usually use the automatic dry and yes the clothes are sometimes wetter coming out of the washer than with other brands. So maybe 1.5 hrs is normal for the loads I do.

I wished I had bought the TOL Whirlpool at the time instead.
My mother has these and no issues.

 

[golittlesport]

Roper on top and KA on bottom of CR readers' survey

Maybe it is because "the more bells and whistles, the more things there are to go wrong." At least that is what my mom would say when she deliberately would not buy higher than the mid-line model. Ropers are very basic machines...I don't know that they even have two speeds.

 

[user 12105]

I seem to remember that KA had the most reliable TL washers in the early 90's..according to CU. If anything , WP was bringing back some heavy use of chrome on those machines.

Now we have the cabrio/oasis..which actually seem to be sturdier than the regular offerings of TL that they pump out.

 

[oxydolfan1]

Oasis sturdier.....

The lid goes "clunk" when you close it...

I love the sound of that "clunk".

 

[cny4]

I have to agree I think the older KA's were much better. Plus that turquoise agitator with the chrome ring on tops was sweeeet!!!!

 

[abcomatic]

KA a keeper or not

HI, I'll ask this question again. I have a KA washer from 1995 with one repair. Since KA is not making laundry equipment any longer, should I keep this one in hopes that it may be a collectible later on or just junk it when it dies? Thanks, Gary

 

[user 12105]

Definitely hold on to it. What do you have to lose?

 

[frigilux]

Gary-- It will definitely be a collector's item in the future. Whether you're interested in keeping it that long is up to you. But at some point a very excited person will post here saying "Ohmygod I found a '95 KA toploader!!". The porcelain, the stepped spin speed and larger-than-KM/WP-agitator will set it apart from the WP-built pack.

Who knew in the '60s-'70s that the dime-a-dozen center dial Maytags would be so coveted? They seemed pretty pedestrian at the time, but now finding one is cause for celebration.