new washing machine

[vipzach]

The wife and I are looking at new a new washer and dryer for the our new house.(closing on it today) I really want a front loading washer and dyer. We have been looking at the GE front loaders, but really like this washer at home depot. <br /><br />Does anybody have any experience with them, I have heard of LG before, just can't find any reviews of this washer. For $89 dollars Ican buy the extended warranty that covers it for another four years. I know B.C works at home depot, if you have any insight on them, please tell me! <br /><br />Thanks guys<br /><br />edit: That link does not go to the right place, try this web page<br /><br />Neither one takes you to the right washer! The model number of the washer is Model WM1815CS, if you look in the $800-$1000 group you can see it.

 

[bootle]

Re: new washing machine

When it comes to household appliances such as washers, dryers and fridge/freezers, i'v always been a sears guy, Kenmores have always met my expectations of function and durability.<br />I have heard that the LG appliances are good but a bit on the noisey side.

 

[tommays]

Re: new washing machine

we bought a front loader at lowes and love it, i will check and see the model# and let you know<br /><br />it was one of the more basic ones in the 600 dollar range.<br /><br />the doors are small compared to the wide open space of a top loader so it takes getting use to stuffing things in.<br /><br />you need to be very carefull about small change it finds it way down to draining pump and is fun to get out<br /><br />tommays

 

[briannh1234]

Re: new washing machine

I love my front loader. Paid about 800 dollar for it new. You can stick queen size comforters in it, can't do that with a top loader.<br /><br />I bought the fridgidare unit. It does get stuff stuck in the pump from time to time, but the first time I had it serviced the guy showed me how to clean out the pump. Since then when it's needed service I've done it myself.

 

[tommays]

Re: new washing machine

its a Frigidaire FWT645RHS<br /><br />it is a very basic 10 cycle model and has held up perfect for 2 years now.<br /><br />if you start looking carefuly you will find many of the ge/sears/ect washers are the same machines with slighty different features.<br /><br />a lot of the models are made for one box store to get out of price matching<br /><br />sears and best buy have there own dyson vac model as one example<br /><br />tommays

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: new washing machine

Speaking of warranties, each year most credit card companies send you a tissue paper phamplet with micro-scopic print. If you read it you'll see that physical items purchased get an automatic warranty up to one additional year for FREE. It's a great and pretty well kept secret. Good luck, Ken

 

[18rabbit]

Re: new washing machine

Originally posted by BrianNH:<br /> I love my front loader. Paid about 800 dollar for it new. You can stick queen size comforters in it, can't do that with a top loader.

Not worth $800 to occasionally wash a q-size comforter. The greatest value for your dollar is with the mid-price range appliances. Sears/Kenmore is/was made by Whirlpool.<br /><br />In general, the front loaders are over-rated. Newer top loaders are as good of better performers, certainly a better value. Front loaders still have it on capacity, but that’s it. The best performing machines tend to be the ‘exotic’ lines, Bosch, Meile, brands like that. They perform a little better, a little quieter, a little more usage cost saving, but at something like twice the price to purchase.<br /><br />This might be a good time to spend a little bit of time at the library reading Consumer Reports stuff. Could save yourself several hundred bucks, unless you’ve already sold yourself on a front loader.

 

[cart7]

Re: new washing machine

Don't buy GE. Replacement part costs are a ripoff.<br />Don't buy Maytag either, once the Cadillac of washers, they're now the biggest POS out there after the buyout.<br />LG makes a pretty good product.

 

[Mark42]

Re: new washing machine

I like the new GE top loading washer and dryer we bought about a year ago. They are in a closet, very tightly situated. Wife overloaded washer with those full body pillows. One ripped open and the suffing came out in the wash. Clogged the pump good. <br /><br />Now the good part. Nearly everything is serviceable from the front pannel. Pop off the front pannel and the motor, belt (wide groove job like cars have now) and pump are all right there in the very front for ease of access. Pulled outlet hose off pump, reach in with finger to remove big stuffing ball, and it was off and running again. Took all of 10 minutes. <br /><br />They advertise newer quieter models. You can believe it. A lot quieter than the last Sears model we had.<br /><br />Cart7, I browsed the price of parts on the discount web sites, they don't seem so steep. Maybe some models are more expensive than others?

 

[cajun555]

Re: new washing machine

For ya'll that have front loaders, are they or are they not alot easier on water usage than top loaders? We've had our present toploader for about 10 years and hoping to hold out a few more years on replacing it with a f/loader.(Hoping the prices will fall a little more)

 

[tommays]

Re: new washing machine

i find it uses less water and gets the clothes a lot dryer in the spin cycle which reduces the amount of engery used in the dryer<br /><br />tommays

 

[18rabbit]

Re: new washing machine

Interesting point about the front loaders spinning faster. I would think a vertical drum could spin faster. Consumer Reports compares the machines for cleaning effectiveness, cost to operate, cost to purchase, and butts it all up against their ongoing survey of likelihood for a machine to need repairs. Some brands have next to no repairs needed, others have a higher than normal likelihood of needing repairs.<br /><br />Recently read CRs evaluation of dishwashers. Didn’t realize a dishwashers have an intended 3 to 5 year lifespan. With dishwashers, when major repairs are needed, it is often a good idea to put the repair cost against a new machine with newer energy saving features. You’ll save money in the long run.

 

[cajun555]

Re: new washing machine

Just got back from Lowes looking at appliances. They had a Whirlpool set up for demos. This particular one would spin at 1000 rpms, compared to 800 rpms on other front loaders. I didn't ask what a top loader rpm is.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Re: new washing machine

We have Whirlpool Duet HT model for over a year. Wife loves it. She uses half normal amt of soap. Machine uses less water and clothes come out of washer damn near dry.If buying new machine anyway I vote for frt loader.We bought our washer and dryer at Lowes

 

[KRS]

Re: new washing machine

Originally posted by 18R:<br />

Originally posted by BrianNH:<br /> I love my front loader. Paid about 800 dollar for it new. You can stick queen size comforters in it, can't do that with a top loader.

Not worth $800 to occasionally wash a q-size comforter. The greatest value for your dollar is with the mid-price range appliances. Sears/Kenmore is/was made by Whirlpool.<br /><br />In general, the front loaders are over-rated....

I disagree, front loaders have a significant advantage over top loading. Top loaders clean by the process of agitation, basically beating the clothes with the agitator, it causes wear and tear, but cleans the clothes well.<br /><br />A front loader doesn't cause near as much wear and tear, as it works by tumbling only. You'll find that clothes last much longer and you can wash more delicate items. And, as it has been stated, they extract more liquid from the clothes, reducing the drying cycle time.<br /><br />When it's replacement time for us, it will be front loading only.

 

[magster65]

Re: new washing machine

I bought a Kenmore/Whirlpool stacker about 8 years ago... it hasn't broken and it's quiet. I guess that makes it a good unit

 

[18rabbit]

Re: new washing machine

KRS – everything you pointed out was my understanding, too, until I read about the current state of washing machine technology, in particular the agitator, or lack there of on some top loaders. Lots changed that I wasn’t aware of. I think some of the front loader advantages you mention might still apply when comparing them to bottom of the line top loaders.<br /><br />In general, top loaders clean as well or better than front loaders; top loaders no longer beat the clothes to death; top loaders spin faster, removing more water, reducing dryer time, saving $$$ on drying. Top loaders use less water than they used to, but still more than front loaders. Top loaders typically cost 1/2 to 1/3 the price of front loaders, but some cost just as much as front loaders. Not every top loader necessarily has all these advantages.<br /><br />Front loaders have it on energy savings, water savings, larger capacity, and quieter operation. Not ever front loader necessarily has all of the advantages. They also excel in reliability issues, i.e. in general, they need more repairs. If stacking units, front loader is the only way to go.<br /><br />As far as capacity goes, most people either do small loads of laundry or overfill their machine. With top loaders, it is often possible to overfill the machine before reaching the weight limit.<br /><br />That’s why I pointed out that unless someone is already sold on the idea they just have to have a front loader, doing some research and shopping might be a good idea, and could save someone several hundred bucks.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: new washing machine

Oops!

 

[craze1cars]

Re: new washing machine

If you don't subscribe, you can't see their full test results. But this is a pretty good summary of what Consumer Reports thinks on this topic. <br /><br />My interpretation is that if you want the best of everything (except maybe repair frequency), get a front loader. But conventional top loaders work well, too.<br /><br /> http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/washing-machines/reports/how-to-choose.htm

 

[18rabbit]

Re: new washing machine

Saw a show on the diy channel last night, they showed the new Bosch drier. It is a full size drier based on the size of the drum inside and the load/capacity. The whole unit was smaller than expected, about the size of a dishwasher! Also, no air vent output, no need for a 4” vent duct. Instead, it has a condenser inside that takes the moisture out of the air, expelling a slow trickle of water. A small water tube is provided to feed into a drain. No drying timer, either. It senses the humidity of the air, when the clothes are dry, it turns itself off, very energy efficient. They didn’t say how much it cost.<br /><br />That link is an overview of features from various models. To really know what you're getting, you need to compare model to model, even if comparing diff front loaders.<br /><br />Btw, if you ever soak soiled clothes or do any fabric dying, a front loader cannot be used for either. Easy enough to get around for occasional fabric dying, use a cheap plastic laundry bucket.