autowasherfreak
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What do you think is the worst washer ever made, vintage or modern?
Worst Washer
- Thread starter autowasherfreak
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worst washer ever made
My openion WCI frigidaire
Peter
My openion WCI frigidaire
Peter
bobbyderegis
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Direct drive Whirlpool.
Bobby in Boston
Bobby in Boston
turquoisedude
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I once had a Danby model with a bottom-mount impeller (like the kind that you'd find on the side of a twin-tub washer like the Hoovers) that was awful. The clothes were always horribly tangled and full of lint. That one got replaced with an early 70's Inglis!
I have to second the direct drive Whirlpool/Shredmore machines. Not because of their build quality (which is also despicable IMHO), but because of the abusive wash action. I had one that came with the house. I HATED that machine. I was buying clothes every 4-6 months from shredding and holes. I NEVER overload my machines, there weren't any burrs on the tub or agitator either! It was just THAT violent....ugh!
Come on folks - I think we can come up with some suggestions better than a Whirlpool DD or even a later WCI machine. In economies the size of those in Europe, Australia, and the U.S., truly bad products don't stay on the market for very long when there are alternatives available. It works just as in nature - survival of the fittest. This would surely apply to the Direct Drive washers which have been manufactured in one form or another for 29 years (admittedly in small relative numbers the first couple years) and to the WCI design as well. I am less familiar with it, but I'd guess it has been around a decade or two as well, or longer? The DD WP has been the widest selling washer in the world for a number of recent years in a row.
Based on what Robert has posted in the Deluxe forum about two 2003/2004 Whirlpool Duet machines that have already suffered catastrophic failures...if that is a sign of things to come, they may be right up there on my list. An $800 machine that lasts 6 years is unacceptable.
I am a Whirlpool fan in general, but the Calypso and it's class-action lawsuit (settled in 2007) comes to mind too, as does the Maytag Neptune and it's class action suit, which was settled in 2005. Neither of these machines survived the public outcry in their exact form.
Gordon
Based on what Robert has posted in the Deluxe forum about two 2003/2004 Whirlpool Duet machines that have already suffered catastrophic failures...if that is a sign of things to come, they may be right up there on my list. An $800 machine that lasts 6 years is unacceptable.
I am a Whirlpool fan in general, but the Calypso and it's class-action lawsuit (settled in 2007) comes to mind too, as does the Maytag Neptune and it's class action suit, which was settled in 2005. Neither of these machines survived the public outcry in their exact form.
Gordon
Here in Brazil the worst washer was Lavinia 4kg (late 70's)
It had no agitator or impeller. It's an average top loader with a drum with fins, just like the front loaders.
It would work great if.... the drum had an horizontal axis.
it was ridiculous to watch that drum "agitating" like crazy and the clothes completelly stopped in the center.
Deppending on the load, some parts wouldn't even get wet.
It had no agitator or impeller. It's an average top loader with a drum with fins, just like the front loaders.
It would work great if.... the drum had an horizontal axis.
it was ridiculous to watch that drum "agitating" like crazy and the clothes completelly stopped in the center.
Deppending on the load, some parts wouldn't even get wet.
Any WCI top-load washer made after 1980
danemodsandy
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My Vote Goes To...
...The infamous Maytag Neptune, which I feel embodied everything that is wrong with appliance design and manufacture today. It was intended to be energy-efficient and save water too. Unfortunately, due to poor boot design and lousy mainboard quality, many Neppies ended up scrapped years sooner than they should have been, a complete waste of the energy and resources used to build them. It is true that the problems were later corrected, more or less, but not before many consumers gave up on their Neptunes - and on Maytag.
What a contrast to Maytag's other big failure, their combo machines of the '60s. In that case, Maytag did everything but get search warrants to get the machines back and replace them to consumers. Nobody had to file suit, because they were properly taken care of. And Maytag stopped production of the machines right away, rather than blithely telling consumers that nothing was really wrong for several years before finally, reluctantly, beginning to make things right.
...The infamous Maytag Neptune, which I feel embodied everything that is wrong with appliance design and manufacture today. It was intended to be energy-efficient and save water too. Unfortunately, due to poor boot design and lousy mainboard quality, many Neppies ended up scrapped years sooner than they should have been, a complete waste of the energy and resources used to build them. It is true that the problems were later corrected, more or less, but not before many consumers gave up on their Neptunes - and on Maytag.
What a contrast to Maytag's other big failure, their combo machines of the '60s. In that case, Maytag did everything but get search warrants to get the machines back and replace them to consumers. Nobody had to file suit, because they were properly taken care of. And Maytag stopped production of the machines right away, rather than blithely telling consumers that nothing was really wrong for several years before finally, reluctantly, beginning to make things right.
vintagesearch
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maytag neptune, whirlpool duet, kenmore he, blah blah blah
I DEFEND the DD keny's and whirly's!!!
I DEFEND the DD keny's and whirly's!!!
I would say Neptune is the worst, although we had a WCI built Gibson that would rate a close second. I know I'll get chastised for this, but I don't care for the Frigidaire 1-18's.
kinnakeettom
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rollamatic gm frigidaire, the worst piece of junk frigidaire produced. even the 59' multimatic was better and that is not saying much. None finer than the unimatic.
autowasherfreak
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Interesting so far, I had a hunch that the worst machines would be belt drive Whirlmores or Kenpools, LOL.
xraytech
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I must go with the Direct Drive Kenmores. Not necissarly due to quality because we had a 70 series washer and dryer from 1988-2001 and replaced them with a 80 series set and we do on average of 15-18 loads a week, most are large loads.
It is just the fact that they are so rough on the clothes. I am forever mending the seams on my scrubs and lab coats on my Singer, not to mention that they come out twisted in knots that they all need iorned while damp with a heavy steam iron and heavily starched. It has also started to wear thin spots in my scrubs, which are not cheap to replace since a pair of pants and shirt are around $45 plus lab coats are $30 each. and it shreds tee shirts very quickly.
It is just the fact that they are so rough on the clothes. I am forever mending the seams on my scrubs and lab coats on my Singer, not to mention that they come out twisted in knots that they all need iorned while damp with a heavy steam iron and heavily starched. It has also started to wear thin spots in my scrubs, which are not cheap to replace since a pair of pants and shirt are around $45 plus lab coats are $30 each. and it shreds tee shirts very quickly.
dnastrau
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Belt drive Whirlmores or Kenpools (?) Can't be...
Jim, did you actually mean direct drive "...Whirlmores or Kenpools"? If not, what is wrong with the belt drive models?
Andrew S.
Jim, did you actually mean direct drive "...Whirlmores or Kenpools"? If not, what is wrong with the belt drive models?
Andrew S.
redcarpetdrew
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While early Neptunes were problem children, I'm still fond of them. I always said that the Neptune design was a slow SHARP learning curve taken WAY too quick. What I hated were the early model WCI washers like the Gibson or Frigidaire. Noisy and a pain to repair. Making it so you'd have to dismantle the pump to try to change the belt was one step above root canals w/o painkillers. LGS springs that would break, and LONG before Neptune, these had the pricey lid switch/lock assy that would burn out, sometimes with a fair amount of smoke! How many customers would break that little plastic 'eye' on the lid so they could open the washer without having to deal with the lock assy?
RCD
RCD
autowasherfreak
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Oppps I meant Direct Drive
I'm soooooo sorry, I meant Direct Drive. I LOVE belt drive Kenmores and Whirlpools.
I'm soooooo sorry, I meant Direct Drive. I LOVE belt drive Kenmores and Whirlpools.
brisnat81
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I also want to stand up for the DD machines, they get the job done, they usually last 5-10 years and are reasonabley cheap. We had 2 of them over a 12 year period and you really cant complain about performance compared to most other TL machines on the Market. They cope with being overloaded, are very easy to service and just work.
My worst machine would be any of the Asian impellor machines, they use lots and lots of water, are prone to tangling and have a lifespan of 3-4 years.
Older Machine wise, I would nominate my Turner Sapphire, which is cute and eccentric, but not a great performer. It too agitates the whole tub when it washes with big fins on the sides.
I know the Whirlpools can be rough, but what other machine on the market today will consistently give a 5-10 year lifespan other than Speed Queen?
My worst machine would be any of the Asian impellor machines, they use lots and lots of water, are prone to tangling and have a lifespan of 3-4 years.
Older Machine wise, I would nominate my Turner Sapphire, which is cute and eccentric, but not a great performer. It too agitates the whole tub when it washes with big fins on the sides.
I know the Whirlpools can be rough, but what other machine on the market today will consistently give a 5-10 year lifespan other than Speed Queen?
autowasherfreak
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I don't dislike direct drive machines, I had a Kenmore in the early 90's that was a direct drive machine, and I liked it a lot. I have to give it up when I moved into my apartment. I had my mom store it for awhile in case I moved into a house again, but after a year I told her to sell it and keep the money since she bought them for me when I moved into my trailer.
But I think the belt drive Whirlpool and Kenmore are the best. I'm anxious as all hell to get the Kenmore from my friends house and start restoring it. My friend lives in Naperville, and I have to wait until she comes back to Davenport to get the washer and dryer.
But I think the belt drive Whirlpool and Kenmore are the best. I'm anxious as all hell to get the Kenmore from my friends house and start restoring it. My friend lives in Naperville, and I have to wait until she comes back to Davenport to get the washer and dryer.
abcomatic
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1963 Gambles Coronado washer. Vibration plus! AWFUL, my dad had to replace the FLOOR because of the constant beating to death of all that was around this thing! Gary
toploader1984
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i have to say the newer ge top load washer, not for relability but for the short/fast agitation, i had one for 4 years and it TORE up everything! just like direct drive whirlpools, i had the straight vane agi, and even with full water level and little clothes there was hardly ANY rollover! all these newer machine are disposable!! except new speed queens!
I brought a Kenmore DD on close out, when I moved into my first home.
It did do the job, but it beat the clothes up really bad, so I had to run the next speed down slower. since it beated the clothes soo bad. I had to stop the dryer half way to clean out the lint screen.
I hated the clunk sound of Neutral drain to spin.
It did do the job, but it beat the clothes up really bad, so I had to run the next speed down slower. since it beated the clothes soo bad. I had to stop the dryer half way to clean out the lint screen.
I hated the clunk sound of Neutral drain to spin.
The worst washer I've ever experienced was a 1959 Speed Queen fluid drive that was included in my first apartment. It had two loud solenoids, one for agitate and one for its anemic spin. It was anything but speedy and gobbled copious amounts of water while leaving clothes soaking wet at the end of the cycle. I even paid to have it checked out, only to find out it was working as designed.
vintagesearch
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how can i forget the GE's produced in the 2000's we had one that only lasted 3 years it beat the crap out of the clothes major lint producer (who thought we would say that about a GE) loud, plasticl and poor at extracting. looooooooong cycle time and noisy omg i could hear it upstairs in the dining room and it was in the basement!!! shame on you GE!!!!
Some years back I suggested the Maytag Neptune to my Partners Mom to replace her crappy WCI Top Loader, Both the washer and dryer were a disgrace. She now has a GE front loader (I was not consulted) and the crappy WCI Top Loader is still on the job with by sisters large family.
sudsmaster
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Ummm... I'm sure some people had problems with their Neptunes... but... mindful of some risk, when I bought my Neptune 7500 set in 2001, I got a seven year extended service agreement on both units.
Fortunately at year three, when in short order the motor, motor controller, main board, and belt/tub driving spider all had to be replaced, it was all covered by the extended service agreement. I later learned that my washer was a relatively early model in the third generation series. I understand that later models has new motors etc which would have avoided some of the problems. The cracked belt/drum spider, however, was just a disaster waiting to happen.
Since then haven't had any problems to speak of with the set. No mold or odor in the washer, either.
So... the Neptune problems were all fixable... but an extended warranty was a very good idea to get with these machines.
So I have mixed feelings about the Neptune. I don't actually think it's a bad machine, but it was hampered by poor manufacturing practices. The solid door is a point of contention amongst laundry enthusiasts, but I've learned to deal with it. I can actually tell from the sound if too much suds have developed.
There's also a lot good about the 7500 series. You can more or less instantly pause and open the door at any point in the cycle (well, a spin might make you wait until it stopped). The LCD display is really a great feature. Not only for setting up a large number of custom cycles, but also for the diagnostic tools it offers.
Fortunately at year three, when in short order the motor, motor controller, main board, and belt/tub driving spider all had to be replaced, it was all covered by the extended service agreement. I later learned that my washer was a relatively early model in the third generation series. I understand that later models has new motors etc which would have avoided some of the problems. The cracked belt/drum spider, however, was just a disaster waiting to happen.
Since then haven't had any problems to speak of with the set. No mold or odor in the washer, either.
So... the Neptune problems were all fixable... but an extended warranty was a very good idea to get with these machines.
So I have mixed feelings about the Neptune. I don't actually think it's a bad machine, but it was hampered by poor manufacturing practices. The solid door is a point of contention amongst laundry enthusiasts, but I've learned to deal with it. I can actually tell from the sound if too much suds have developed.
There's also a lot good about the 7500 series. You can more or less instantly pause and open the door at any point in the cycle (well, a spin might make you wait until it stopped). The LCD display is really a great feature. Not only for setting up a large number of custom cycles, but also for the diagnostic tools it offers.
moonvalleycacti
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Hmmm
It all depends.. The only reason Whirlpool has so many units out there is that they make ALOT of the current washer market (Maytag, Roper, Inglis, Estate, Most Kenmore, Whirlpool and maybe another one i havent named).They are tough on clothes, but are durable for what they are...
GE's older top loaders left alot to be desired..Never had a washer that couldnt actually wash dirt from the clothes.. Dunno bout the new ones, but i wouldnt go back..
My HE2T (Duet) is SO-SO... It makes more noise than i think it should, has trouble balancing its self and its just not that Great.. Im ready to try something else...
But of all of the washers of recent, Maytag took the cake by killing the good thing they had and with the Neppies.. If they hadn't taken a medicore deisgn from another company to cheapen there product (top loaders) they would still be here.. Same goes for there Fridges..I dunno very many maytag fridges that have lasted 5 years..
As far as old units go, i can't really tell you because i don't know.. Apperantly, GE, Maytag and Whirlpool did something right back then, because see how many are still around...
It all depends.. The only reason Whirlpool has so many units out there is that they make ALOT of the current washer market (Maytag, Roper, Inglis, Estate, Most Kenmore, Whirlpool and maybe another one i havent named).They are tough on clothes, but are durable for what they are...
GE's older top loaders left alot to be desired..Never had a washer that couldnt actually wash dirt from the clothes.. Dunno bout the new ones, but i wouldnt go back..
My HE2T (Duet) is SO-SO... It makes more noise than i think it should, has trouble balancing its self and its just not that Great.. Im ready to try something else...
But of all of the washers of recent, Maytag took the cake by killing the good thing they had and with the Neppies.. If they hadn't taken a medicore deisgn from another company to cheapen there product (top loaders) they would still be here.. Same goes for there Fridges..I dunno very many maytag fridges that have lasted 5 years..
As far as old units go, i can't really tell you because i don't know.. Apperantly, GE, Maytag and Whirlpool did something right back then, because see how many are still around...
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