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Washer/Dryer recommendations needed (1 Viewer)

skol asylum

skol asylum

Footballguy
Need a new washer and dryer. Any recommendations? Went through this fiasco only a couple of years ago. First machine was obviously a lemon and returned. Second one was way too hard on clothes and soon returned. Finally went with an old school inexpensive Maytag and already put a bunch of money into it a few months back and am having issues with the timer or something again. Getting pretty annoyed with not finding a quality machine.

Open to top or front loaders though never had the latter. Any recommendations greatly appreciated. Willing to spend a little more if the damn things work well and last at least a few years.

 
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We have 14 yr old set (bought new) of Maytag Atlantis Stainless steel drum washer & natural gas dryer. I replaced the snubber ring in the washer & gas valve solenoid in the dryer. Other than those simple repairs, they have run flawlessly.

 
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Ron Swanson said:
We've had very good luck with Samsung front loaders.
Click to expand...
I too have a set of Samsung front loaders. Bought them in 2010. Been very happy with them and haven't had a problem with them yet (knock on wood!).

Nice to have the front loaders stacked. Saves a ton of space.

 
I have a set of LG front loaders that were purchased in 2010. No problems yet. Hope to get 4 more years out of them. Not too confident in the build quality of most washers and dryers. 

 
I just got the Kenmore 91383/41383 set and pretty happy with it. Lots of space, cleans well, and doesn't take a long time. 

 
I'm not sure I'd do another front loader again.

They're great for low water use but I've found them to be awful with smells over time.

They require so much more maintenance than top loaders.

Each month, you'll find yourself emptying out the bottom plug to get any debris and stagnant water out (there's probably a half gallon remaining in that tube).

You have to also be careful to not use too much soap because it will help add to the water and mold growth.

You have to run baking soda and vinegar from time to time in order to really kill off any growth.

And I've started keeping the door open in order to help dry out that any water that seems to be in it that causes the above problems.

This could be just mine...but I've read this online from countless others.  Just do a google search on front loading washing machine odors and you'll see the same results that I've had to start guarding against.

If they worked out the problem of getting all the water out of the very bottom/screen and maybe added a fan on that tube that helps dry it out completely...then I'd consider coming back.  Maybe those units that others have suggested above have solved these problems...I'm unsure...but be aware is all I'm saying.

 
bananafish said:
Samsung and LG are the Consumer Reports highest rated for whatever that's worth (it's worth a lot to me). Also Maytag and Kenmore.

Here's the review for the Kenmore Elite washer: 

Offering excellent wash performance and a jumbo capacity, this front-loader performed similarly to the top-rated LG and can also hold about 25 pounds of laundry. But the normal wash time, using the heavy soil setting, was 95 minutes in our tests. The Accela-Wash option offers comparable cleaning in less time. The matching dryer is recommended. Electric model is 81073; gas is 91073. The washer and dryer are each 29 inches wide—two inches more than usual. Note that some of our user reviews for the washer cite noise and early breakdowns as problems. (We note negative experiences for models with at least 10 user reviews). 

If you want the review/rankings for any other model just let me know and I'd be happy to look it up.
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Awesome thanks.

 
We had a Samsung front loader washer and dryer.  Came with the house.  Never again.  We kept the washer as dry as possible after every wash but the smell was horrible.  Bought commercial grade Speed Queens. They are awesome and get the job done 20 minutes faster on both wash and dryer. 

 
I did end up buying a Kenmore elite set. The gray version of this model. 

http://laundry.reviewed.com/content/kenmore-elite-41072-washing-machine-review

Didn't buy pedestals because my cabinets above were about a half inch too low. At $270 a piece seems kind of ridiculous anyways. Do want them lifted about a foot though and I see some people build their own pedestals. Anyone here ever do that? Only concern is stability. Wouldn't want machine dancing off of it.

 
My Whirlpool W&D I bought in December 1997 are still working good.

Get a Consumer Reports Buyers Guide and read/look through it. They test the crap out of them and can tell you everything you would want to know

 
cap'n grunge said:
I did end up buying a Kenmore elite set. The gray version of this model. 

http://laundry.reviewed.com/content/kenmore-elite-41072-washing-machine-review

Didn't buy pedestals because my cabinets above were about a half inch too low. At $270 a piece seems kind of ridiculous anyways. Do want them lifted about a foot though and I see some people build their own pedestals. Anyone here ever do that? Only concern is stability. Wouldn't want machine dancing off of it.
Click to expand...
I have had a Samsung front loader washer and dryer for 3-4 years now.  Love it.  Have the pedestals too.  Raising them a foot or so actually makes a good bit of difference - less bending over to pull stuff out of the dryer.  Without them I may as well have gotten a top loader, which I hate.  It also gives a good bit of extra storage space that I never had.  Good for the 3938938 comforters we apparently have.

As for the mold and such.  I can see it happening if you consistently leave loads in the washer and don't wipe excess water from the front of the washer.  Do it consistently and it's generally not a problem.

 
cap'n grunge said:
I did end up buying a Kenmore elite set. The gray version of this model. 

http://laundry.reviewed.com/content/kenmore-elite-41072-washing-machine-review

Didn't buy pedestals because my cabinets above were about a half inch too low. At $270 a piece seems kind of ridiculous anyways. Do want them lifted about a foot though and I see some people build their own pedestals. Anyone here ever do that? Only concern is stability. Wouldn't want machine dancing off of it.
Click to expand...
I actually just built a pedestal last weekend and it wasn't that hard at all (I'm not handy at all).  It's plenty stable and my machine hasn't moved on it despite really loading it up to give it a test.  Cost about $200 to make including paint and a few hours on a weekend.  Here's a couple pics of it:

Just finished

In place with W/D

I got the plan to do it from here with just a couple modifications (added a little height, added some trim to the front instead of the legs)

 
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Slapdash said:
Speed Queen.  Made in America, no frills, and built to last
Click to expand...
So much better and faster than the Samsung  front loaders with none of the mold issues.  We wiped it down every time.  Extra pain in the ### and you can't catch it all. 

 
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gianmarco said:
I actually just built a pedestal last weekend and it wasn't that hard at all (I'm not handy at all).  It's plenty stable and my machine hasn't moved on it despite really loading it up to give it a test.  Cost about $200 to make including paint and a few hours on a weekend.  Here's a couple pics of it:

Just finished

In place with W/D

I got the plan to do it from here with just a couple modifications (added a little height, added some trim to the front instead of the legs)
Click to expand...
I saw the same plans. I'll have to look at your pics on my PC later. For some reason tinypics never display on my phone.

 
Unfortunately it looks like these things need to go back. Turns my clothes into stiff itchy burlap. Tried different things nothing seems to work. Didn't realize how little water it really uses. Don't really even see water in the machine at all usually other than what the clothes absorb. Not sure if it's the low water or high speed spinning or maybe water was too hot but the fabric is fubar.

I wanted to embrace new tech but looks like back to old school agitator. Will look at speed queen just wish bigger capacity.

 
gianmarco said:
I just got the Kenmore 91383/41383 set and pretty happy with it. Lots of space, cleans well, and doesn't take a long time. 
Click to expand...
How much water do you see inside the tub when in wash and rinse cycles. Do you have issues with stiff fabric? What cycles speeds water temps detergent etc do you use?

 
tdoss said:
I'm not sure I'd do another front loader again.

They're great for low water use but I've found them to be awful with smells over time.

They require so much more maintenance than top loaders.

Each month, you'll find yourself emptying out the bottom plug to get any debris and stagnant water out (there's probably a half gallon remaining in that tube).

You have to also be careful to not use too much soap because it will help add to the water and mold growth.

You have to run baking soda and vinegar from time to time in order to really kill off any growth.

And I've started keeping the door open in order to help dry out that any water that seems to be in it that causes the above problems.

This could be just mine...but I've read this online from countless others.  Just do a google search on front loading washing machine odors and you'll see the same results that I've had to start guarding against.

If they worked out the problem of getting all the water out of the very bottom/screen and maybe added a fan on that tube that helps dry it out completely...then I'd consider coming back.  Maybe those units that others have suggested above have solved these problems...I'm unsure...but be aware is all I'm saying.
Click to expand...
thanks posty. I'm not doing all that. If it starts to stink I'll buy another one.

 
Slapdash said:
Speed Queen.  Made in America, no frills, and built to last
Click to expand...
I'm going to look into these. The older I get the more I appreciate straight-forward, reliable ####. Most of the fancy w/d's I have owned have been far less reliable and long-lived than the fancy schmancy one I get.

My MO has been to buy the best one I can find on clearance at Lowes/Home Depot, etc. One for at least 60-70% off. Never buy a warranty and use it until it breaks and replace it with another. Works pretty well, but the newer and fancier they are, the sooner the tend to die.

 
cap'n grunge said:
How much water do you see inside the tub when in wash and rinse cycles. Do you have issues with stiff fabric? What cycles speeds water temps detergent etc do you use?
Click to expand...
I honestly don't pay attention to the amount of water.  I have no issues with stiff fabric whatsoever but I use a fabric softener.  Do you?  I typically use the normal cycle that has predetermined temps but sometimes use the express cycle as well as a couple others (bulky, sanitize, etc.). 

I use Gain HE (both detergent and softener). 

 
Picked up a discontinued Whirlpool AccuDry, new in box from some closeout place after seeing it listed on Craigslist for $299. Works fantastic :thumbup: . Has the clothes dry before the washer is done with a cycle.  

In the interest of redundancy, I also opted for a Korean GF to operate the machine itself. 
 

 
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[icon] said:
If front loaders are such a PITA, what's the benefit? Do they get stuff that much cleaner or something? 
Click to expand...
Partially, it's that - always lots of features and cool stuff.  Also partially efficiency and environmental effects.  They use much less water, detergent and power - my washer/dryer LG combo, despite being 4.3 cu ft, is expected to cost $10 a year to operate according to its big yellow sheet it comes with.

 
Front loaders get your clothes cleaner and are more efficient -  but cost more.

Top loaders are less efficient but are far cheaper and gaining ground on efficiency and cleanliness. 

 
They seriously need to work on that nonsense.  Constantly keeping everything open is just ridiculous.

They can put little fans in certain spots and it would do the job.

And getting all the water out of that drain tube is a huge problem as well.

 
Speed Queen: 28 minutes start to finish. It's the ones you used as a child when washers were made better. The more gadgets the more chance of things breaking. People don't know how to do laundry anymore, almost sure of it. Now the Speed Queens are in laundry mats where they can handle the abuse. These machines are tough and will last you an eternity. 

For the limited number of doo hickies on the Speed Queens, they actually are pricey. But one of these will last you 20+ years. And the clothes actually get washed and come out nice. 

 
Returned my Kenmore Elite front loaders and had the Speed Queen top loaders with electronic controls delivered today. Crossing my fingers they work out. They are a bit loud but i'll put up with that if they do the job and don't mess up my clothes.

Nice they come with a 5 year bumper to bumper warranty.

 
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cap'n grunge said:
Returned my Kenmore Elite front loaders and had the Speed Queen top loaders with electronic controls delivered today. Crossing my fingers they work out. They are a bit loud but i'll put up with that if they do the job and don't mess up my clothes.

Nice they come with a 5 year bumper to bumper warranty.
Click to expand...
How are these working out? Dryer went #### up and am looking at a Speed Queen. About $400 more than what I want to spend, but worth it?

 
ChiefD said:
How are these working out? Dryer went #### up and am looking at a Speed Queen. About $400 more than what I want to spend, but worth it?
Click to expand...
Solid. No issues. If you just want a dryer I'm not sure I'd pay extra though. The sensor for the dryer doesn't always seem to work the greatest and shuts off too soon so we've learned for some items to just use timed dry.

 
We're looking for a smaller (2.4 cu washer, 4.0 cuft dryer) stackable, front loader.

We're hooked up with 240 AC and the vent but most dryers in that size are ventless. Any experience with ventless? I'd hate to not utilize the existing vent for a lesser option.

 
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