Whirlpool trash

[norgechef]

I know some of the members here might disagree with me but I think the new belt drive whirlpool washers, Cabrio washers and Duet front loaders are all complete trash, or at least the current models. I also think its very rude that whirlpool can stick good company names like Maytag on this junk they are making and make it look like a Maytag with the center dial and all that...I think its outrageous. I also know that many members here think that Herrin Maytag (Performa/Atlantis) washers were total junk but I would much rather have my Maytag Performa than one of these junk ''belt drive'' whirlpools. I know they have all the issues with balancing which is kind of annoying but I have had my Performa for 7 almost 8 years and it has had minor mechanical problems that needed fixing but it still has the original transmission and motor! I always make sure to load it right and not to stuff it to the top like most people do and it has been working like a charm for years...now id like to see one of these newer Maytag Bravos washers last that long under daily use with all those electronic controls....I was so mad when Whirlpool closed the real Maytag plants because then i knew that would be it...no more real Maytag's...just Whirlpool's in disguise. You know it wasn't too bad when they were still making direct drive machines but now there is no quality or durability put into the machines whatsoever, especially with the new energy saving standards which in my opinion aren't very good energy standards if you have to buy a new washer every 4-5 years!

 

[pierreandreply4]

me i agree that my duet washer is trash i would much rather have my inglis superb 2 direct drive washer my duet is near 10 years old but i fine the cleaning poor because of the little water inside when i am use to have clothes submerge in water if i had to buy a belt drive washer of the vintage era i would go with the inglis superb washer in harvest gold with matching dryer to have if i needed a warm rinse option

 

[mrb627]

Honestly...

Maytag stopped being Maytag long before Whirlpool closed the plant...

Malcolm

 

[norgechef]

I know that Maytag's were no longer real Maytag's bu

At least the Performa machines were still half Maytag, they were made out of a rather cheap Maytag transmission and balancing system designed by Maytag which was not the best design but I still think they could outlast any Whirlpool belt drive if used properly and you have to remember Maytag still made its Dependable Care line of washers until late into 2007 when Whirlpool shut them down too...I would never disagree with someone if they said an Amana/Maytag SAV series washer was junk though...they were total pieces of crap and Maytag really failed on that design.

 

[repair-man]

Sadly, the new belt drive models are proving to be very unreliable even at a year or two old. And I can't even tell you how many customers I know of that have sent them back for performance reasons. As a long time fan of direct drives (yes, I know they were not the absolute best) I had hope that Whirlpool would continue with a good top load machine.

 

[norgechef]

They can't seem to leave well enough alone....

My grandmother has a 1996 Roper direct drive washer that's on the outs with a worn out neutral drain pack and a broken/unhooked spring somewhere in the drum but that thing went through so much laundry in the past that its a miracle its lasted until 2001 let alone 2013! I never really liked it because of the insanely fast agitation motion and rather slow spin but i gotta say Whirlpool really must of took pride in making that washer because its really lived up to getting the clothes washed quickly and effectively every time..

 

[iheartmaytag]

I have a Duet Clone

A Maytag 5000 Series Steam washer and dryer. Going on four years and they are not bad machines. The washer recently had to have a service call due to a pressure switch telling the controller that it was flooding when in fact it had not water in it at all. It was fixed under the extended warranty and back in business.

What I was told was that there were two different Duet models, one was made in Germany, like mine is, the other was manufactured in Mexico. The problem machines were from south of Texas.

I was, however, told the day I purchased the machine to always have it plugged into a surge protector and I would prevent many problems. I was told this as well with my new Kitchenaid dishwasher that is being delivered.

The Maytag 300 Series bought in 2007, and the last "real Maytag" design has been trouble from day one. Maytag's dependability reputation took quite a hit in the last years before it's ultimate death. Though I have stated many times I am no
whirlpool fan, at least they saved Maytag from being purchased by Haier.

 

[arbilab]

Let's not forget that Whirlpool itself was a good name until relatively recently and is no longer.

 

[alr2903]

I think they have all seen the "handwriting on the wall". Why would they continue to put engineering dollars into a machine that will be phased out by mandatory energy standards? I will hang onto my Tag, LAT model as long as I can. The admiral direct drive and new dryer I have are adequate, still far short of what i remember as great performers. alr

 

[drewz]

air2903, I think you have it correct, Whirlpool is just making top loaders to serve that very small market segment. Whirlpool knows they are going to be phased out so why bother to build a quality top loader. Should you want a Whirlpool DD top loader purchase a Commercial Whirlpool top loader w/o coin slot it is still old school for now.

 

[mrb627]

And Here We Are Again...

I said this a few years back, Americans are going to be weened off of the top loader one way or another. Looks like the manufacturers are going to design top loaders that are SO BAD, Americans will accept mediocre FLers with open arms.

Malcolm

 

[norgechef]

That is probably true...

I see where you guys are going with this...maybe they are actually purposely making them terrible so people will want front loaders but still Whirlpool has a hotline for failed drum bearings in their front loaders you know, and ''Maytag'' Maxima front loaders also have lots of drum bearing issues and those machines usually cost over $1000

 

[DigAPony]

Correction: Americans are being forced, not weened off Top Loaders.

Same as goes for phosphates in our detergents, the incandescent light bulb, R12 refrigerant, and so on.

None of which is free market driven.

 

[pierreandreply4]

Also

also whirlpool duet washer generation 1 2004 the tub might also risk falling so that will cause the washer not to start and i also think its wrong to force consumers to buy front load washers not everone would know how to start a front load washer or has the space for such a machine.

 

[retro-man]

As far as space goes I have whirpool duets and they are mounted on top of each other. Takes up far less space than a toploader and a dryer next to it.
Jon

 

[dj-gabriele]

None of which is free market driven

CIT. "Same as goes for phosphates in our detergents, the incandescent light bulb, R12 refrigerant, and so on"

So you'd rather live with inferior refrigeration equipment and polluting gases?
New alternatives like R410A offer up to 100% better performance and don't contribute to ozone depletion. I hope for a large scale use of CO2 and propane/butane refrigerants, but sadly those are still in the niche market because of price and diffidence!

Classic incandescent bulbs? Good riddance!
Halogen and fluorescent are much much better and give a better luminous flux per watt!

Phosphates? Detergents have none of those since ages and we still have fantastically clean clothes! Actually EU detergents are highly rated overseas as many forum members say!

And to finish it: Whirlpool IS trash! None of their appliances I ever owned gave me any kind of satisfaction, expensive repairs and lackluster performances!

 

[washer111]

Defending all the "Naughty Stuff"

We've still got them here in Liquid laundry detergents, some powders and dishwasher powders/liquids (Esp. Finish/Fairy, both containing >30% Phosphate). 

I'd hate to see our dishwasher performance if no-phosphate really does affect performance, but, we thankfully have a home water softener, so it shouldn't be an issue for us. 

 

As for R-12 vs. Newer stuff, I can safely say that R-12 works great in the appliances that used it. I had a Kelvinator Cyclic Fridge/Freezer that got the freezer down to a nice -30ºC!!! It kept the fridge icy cold too - on the "proper" thermostat setting. R-134a is nowhere near as effective, which explains our freezer/fridges struggling. One must also bear in mind that the refrigerators these days barely have enough "oomph" to get that cold as it is. 

As for R-600a, until cheap China manufacturers can make something that won't go BANG! (Esp. in Automobiles), I don't really want it. Granted, our Hisense chest freezer uses it, and has marvellously short cycles and stays pretty darn cold too. 

 

And it's not the refrigerants fault. It is the fault of city councils and lack of law enforcement pertaining to the disposal and release of refrigerants. You still get HVAC servicemen here that (instead of) safely disposing gasses from rooftop A/C units, simply vent the stuff to the atmosphere and claim the system suffered a leak, and needs replacement - since it COSTS THEM money to dispose the gas, and they have to carry it down (Time is money!). R-12/R-22 etc are GREAT, but proper disposal is the key, as with anything. 

 

I've seen a newer Whirlpool BD machine here in Australia. Looks heavy duty, but they are forever breaking down. They sound like steam trains (LOUD and lots of chugga-chugga), and have hopeless spin speeds (I've seen one in person. It couldn't have been spinning faster than around 400rpm). Their FL machines are okay - the one I've used is cheaply built, bad dispenser drawers (cracked/broken, even with gentle use), and it grumbles loudly during spin (used on 40/60º regularly too). Water level is up to the very bottom of the glass door though - which is pretty nice, but thats about the zenith of it!

 

[repair-man]

better for the environment ?

I would love for someone to explain to me how these new wonderful "efficient" appliances that have to be manufactured, sold, delivered, removed and recycled every 5 to 10 years (or less) have less impact on the environment than a good product that lasts say 15 to 20 years or more.

 

[pierreandreply4]

me i am wondering the same thing just look atthis dryer that my grandmother own from 1970 to around 2010 year she had to replace her dryer it lasted her 40 years, its sad to see that they decided not to keep such good quality in term of appliances. And also if every 5 or 10 years we have to replace an appliance they need to think that it fills the local dump site when the best way and option would be to somehow recycle the appliance bu aeather send it to a specilise repair shop that would repair and resell the appliance as a refurbish set or b try to recycle the old appliance by making something else like for exemple: new appliances with recycle material from the old appliance. Thats my toughs on this.

 

[roscoe62]

Interesting Thread

I've thought about this myself seeing how the newer top loaders are being built to have a short life span and phase them out with FL'rs so people are forced to buy something they may not want to start using and in all probability the newer FL'rs will be built the same way of these top loaders.
So where does recycling and repairing come into place to save the environment when we'll run out of space with useless appliances 5-10 years old? My employers mother replaced a stackable unit no older than 5yrs when the repair was going to cost more than a new unit, I don't get it ??? Are we heading back to the days of the rock on the river again, lol ???

 

[norgechef]

I bet washing clothes in the tub would be more effective tha



Its really starting to look like they're doing it on purpose....this video proves that they are trying to make washers fill up with such little amounts of water that the action of the agitator is ripping the clothes! so basically this is a dry rinse. what a piece of junk.

 

[pierreandreply4]

me i have a feeling just to recycle washers there will be a

i think just to recycle older machines to avoid filling the dump somewill rather buy these classic models lol

 

[beekeyknee]

We all complain about the quality of these machines. Why doesn't some of the more entrepreneurial and ones with more means start a repair and distribution center to save and sell these old appliances. We seem to have a growing community of people here that feel this way. Bigger things have been started with less support. I don't think the government could do anything to stop it. It could be checked on ahead of time with an attorney.

I'm sure many here would jump at a chance to work at a place like that, especially if it was run by the right person, someone that would make it a fun and educational place to work. Then maybe people would start to learn skills again, jobs would be created and these companies that are turning out landfill fodder would set up and take notice. Maybe they would learn that planned obsolescence isn't really eco-friendly and start making something worth buying again.

I know that most people believe that the government can't be fought and whatever they say goes, but I for one still believe in the American dream. Especially when enough people are behind it with growing numbers supporting it. No, it would not be easy, but nothing good is ever achieved with out hard work. As each day goes by, more and more of these machines are going to the crusher when they really aren't in that bad of shape. Think of the energy and resources it took to make those machines. Is that good policy?

Now enter defeatist. Shoot it down. I'm sure someone will. Not being confrontational, but that seems to be the way it goes here. Realist enter too, but there is a big difference between realism and defeatism. Keep in mind, sometimes we make our own reality. Cheers, everyone.

 

[qualin]

Well, all I really have to say is that if you think you can design and build a better machine yourself, go ahead. Nobody is stopping you from doing that.

Personally, I think voting with my wallet is the best approach. Rather than focusing on who makes junk and complaining about it, it probably is better if we buy from the manufacturers that don't make junk and build quality goods.

This is why I foresee myself purchasing Alliance made washers and dryers for the rest of my natural life. By the time my washer breaks down and can't be repaired, I'll be at retirement age.

 

[Chetlaham]

Whirlpool's water saving top loaders are the biggest trash ever put on the market. Everyone that I know who has bought an HE whirlpool made top loader has hated it with a passion. You just cant get clothes clean in that little water in a top lading basket. The auto fill machines are hit or miss on the right fill level. A large number of the early generation auto fills have needed there fill level sensors replaced. The newer BD auto fills are less service prone, but, its still a fill gamble.

The lower end BD that have a manual fill selector actually get the tub full and do a good job of cleaning. But the lid lock to compensate for Whirlpool being to cheap to instal a tub break on the splutch is a huge pain to deal with, and adds 10 minutes alone to the cycle. Both to make sure the lid has latched and the fact the control wont unlock the lid until the tub has completely stopped, which adds several minutes after each spin.

Service wise a number of these machines need pump/lid lock/control replacements. Not sure why though. When ever I go to Lowes I always see 2 or 3 new BD being returned for either not working or not cleaning.

Now that Whirlpool is a full blown monopoly they can get away with selling anything. The foriegn manufactuers like LG, Samsung, Haier and those that are trying to enter the American market are being sued/bullied by Whirlpool into raising there prices on show room floors or not selling there all together. GE is their only real competator, but its made to appeal to home builders and landlords and the low end market. That and the fact where ever Appliances are sold the sales floor is dominated by whirlpool made brands that smother out the few other manufacturer models sitting there. The elctronic's industrie is nothing like this.

Unless you have thousands to spend on a Miele or Bosch you stuck with Whirlpool. Marketing and gimmicks at work...

 

[gansky1]

A good friend of mine that lives nearby replaced a 95 plastic-tub Hotpoint washer with a Maytag belt-drive when they first came out a few years ago. He's had no trouble and no complaints so far. Full disclosure, they are not laundrophiles and likely have never noticed water levels, etc. 'If the clothes are wet and stuck to the tub, the wash is done' is more the line of thinking, as with many people.

 

[petek]

re that video above about the Maytag Centennial with hardly any water in it.. Is that for real how they work, it doesn't appear to a an HE model because of the agitator. It looks more to me like there's a problem with the water level sensor and if working correctly would have more water in there. ?

 

[Chetlaham]

Maytag Centennial HE

That machine in the video has automatic load sensing that adds the correct amount of water. Technically the machine isnt supposed to have that little water, for an impeller model its about right, mabey a tad more.

Underfiling is sometimes a very common problem with auto fill Whirlpools, Ive seen that many times. Not sure about this machine but on older sensor models when you lift the lid during the wash and rinse it fills to the top afterwards.

Either way seeing that video really boils my blood, I like his comment though about how that got on the market.

 

[DirectDriveDave]

Another reason why I love the mechanicals on our DD washers.

 

[norgechef]

I just bought a Haier top loader

In January, its not a direct drive model or whatever the Fisher&Paykel washers are for sure, it also seems rather cheaply manufactured but for $350 and a deep/full rinse on the quick cycle it seems like a pretty good machine to me so far.....