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Washer & Dryer recommendations?

Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:07 pm
Posted by Will Cover
St. Louis, MO
Member since Mar 2007
38536 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:07 pm
Our LG washer went kaput tonight. Code is indicating motor is out. I have replaced it once before, but believe the washer has run its course as it is 11 years old.

Of course this means that I will now replace my dryer as well, because my wife doesn't want a mismatched set.

Brand recommendations? Prefer to stay away from LG and Samsung, as LG is only serviced by one company out of Walker and they don't stock any parts.

Leaning towards Whirlpool or Kenmore, simply because of number of repair shops that are readily available.

Thoughts?
Posted by Wally Sparks
Atlanta
Member since Feb 2013
29161 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:09 pm to
quote:

Of course this means that I will now replace my dryer as well, because my wife doesn't want a mismatched set.


Shocking.
Posted by Will Cover
St. Louis, MO
Member since Mar 2007
38536 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:10 pm to
I don't argue anymore. I just do it. She has broken my spirit. Feel like the one testicle bandit.
Posted by Walt OReilly
Poplarville, MS
Member since Oct 2005
124412 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:11 pm to
What you gonna do with that old dryer?
Posted by theenemy
Member since Oct 2006
13078 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:11 pm to
quote:

Whirlpool or Kenmore


maintenance is easy om them.

All you need is an appliance store and google and you can do the repairs yourself.
Posted by kywildcatfanone
Wildcat Country!
Member since Oct 2012
119121 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:13 pm to
Maytag
Posted by Col reb 2011
#38
Member since Apr 2013
1614 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:16 pm to
Don't buy off Craigslist
Posted by Will Cover
St. Louis, MO
Member since Mar 2007
38536 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:17 pm to
Sell it. Probably list on local for sale pages of Facebook.
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
69078 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:17 pm to
Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore, Kitchenaid, Jen air are all the same compnay

Frigidaire, GE and Electrolux are now all the same company.

Many GE units are super similar to Samsung.

What exactly do you want?

I find that LG give a lot for it's buck, but has a high fail rate. Maytags are usually good, because they are refined Whirlpools.

Whirlpool = Innovation
Maytag = Dependability and the 2015 line is really getting back to that. Go for one with the Vmax direct drive system (do not get one with the Oasis direct drive system "Cabrio")
The belt drive Vmax isn't bad wither as they have fixed the issues with the pulley falling off and damaging everything.

For front loaders I really like electrolux.
Note that most front loaders with the exception of the Koreans do not put in a customer access door for the coin trap. This WILL cause you to have to call a service company to clean it when it does (and it will) blocks up.

Also the Whirlpool brands are made in the USA.

We just had the convention looking at the 2015 units. If you want premium the Fisher Paykel line is much improved, if you want it to last you want Speed Queen (they advertise lasting 25 years, but look like they were made 25 years ago)

Kenmore makes nothing. If the numbers start with 110 it was made by Whirlpool.
Kenmore is just a brand. Think GMC to Chevy or Mecury to Ford.


This post was edited on 2/14/15 at 8:20 pm
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
69078 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:18 pm to
Don't buy off Craigslist


why many reputable companies on there. I occasionally sell used appliances on there and always with a one year warranty.

That's the same warranty you get new (well Maytag does 10 year on the motor)

This post was edited on 2/14/15 at 8:19 pm
Posted by Will Cover
St. Louis, MO
Member since Mar 2007
38536 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:20 pm to
Thank you for the info.

A friend that I was just speaking with recommended F&P and said lady at Stanton's was pushing Speed Queen because of steel parts.

I have F&P double dishwasher and have been very pleased with it.

Haven't looked yet, but how much does F&P and SQ run compared to Whirlpool?

As far as what I want, simple for me. Wife may want something different, need to find out. She will be doing the washing 99 % of the time.
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
69078 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:27 pm to
They are in line with the second to highest tier Whirlpools.

Fisher Paykel only runs one line, they are dependable but like the Koreans many people won't work on them.
(they are easy to service though, just lazy techs who didn't want to got to ASTI and get certified on them) Speed Queens are not that much. It's more that women don't like them, because they look like 1990's Whirlpools. BUT they run like 1990's whirlpool's, meaning that they won't break and if they do repair is cheap.

the all steel thing is weird to me, they are all ALL steel. (for the most part.)

Honestly front loaders will never last as long as top loaders. Newer appliances are more worried about Energy Star ratings than dependability.

I mentioned F/P because I was impressed that the engineers actually fixed all the flaws I found with the previous lines. They did the same with the dish drawers. I had six major issues with the dish drawers and each was fixed for the series 7 coming out in March.
It's a good company that designs things, not just to last, but to be able to be easily fixed.


The best advice I can give is. The cheaper the unit, the longer it will last.

Newer GE washers have a modular control, one component fails and you need a $400 control board assembly. This is a stupid design, I really try hard to steer people from GE. Hopefully Electrolux fixes the issues they have had over the last decade.


Posted by Will Cover
St. Louis, MO
Member since Mar 2007
38536 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:32 pm to
Did I read that right, the cheaper the unit, the longer it will last?
Posted by Col reb 2011
#38
Member since Apr 2013
1614 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:37 pm to
The one I bought off their the washer crapped out after 2 months guy said nothing he could do
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
69078 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 8:51 pm to
quote:

Did I read that right, the cheaper the unit, the longer it will last?



unfortunately.

The cheapest units are the Ropers, the Crowleys and the Estates. Each of which uses tried and true shock absorbing coupler output motors. Dryers are Dryers.
When I make recomendations, I do so based on the washer. Unless you want a steam dryer (and they are nice) there isn't much difference between dryers, especially gas dryers. Some electrics have a little better low temp heat control and that's it. The internals of a dryer now look similar to how they looked in the 70's. It's washers that actually change every few years.

Anyway. The peak of washer design for reliability was the Direct Drive coupler Whirlpool. This is what those models use. Even the cheap GE's aren't bad, but the controls don't last. These cheap-o units last forever and ever. They will be selling on Craigslist in fifteen years for $150-200 each while the $2000 steam dryer has long ago been stripped and scrapped.
We don't see the 90's and 00's front loaders flooding the used market like we see the DD Whirlpools.
So I know it was very wordy, but that system is the best ever made and the cheapest of the cheap still use it. BUT, they have to phase out soon to meet new base efficiency requirements.

I'm not saying the cheaper, the better machine. I'm saying the cheaper, the more reliable.

Posted by Old Sarge
Dean of Admissions, LSU
Member since Jan 2012
55303 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 9:01 pm to
Just don't go front loader
Posted by Will Cover
St. Louis, MO
Member since Mar 2007
38536 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 9:04 pm to
Our current configuration only allows for a front loading washer.

Posted by Charlie Arglist
Wichita, Kansas
Member since Nov 2012
5550 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 9:04 pm to
quote:

Washer & Dryer recommendations?


Yes.
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
69078 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 9:18 pm to
quote:

Our current configuration only allows for a front loading washer.



Well then my comment about cheapest won't work then.
Maytag, Fisher/Paykel, Electrolux and Whirlpool all have good units, just repairs are a lot more than they used to be and warranties are shorter.
I personally went with LG for my washer, but I will admit to seeing numerous controller issues with them.
With the front loaders, I say look for a front access door for the coin trap. This would be my major thing, the water pump failing has to be the number one service call on them. Functionally they are very similar.
If you can get a bulk dispenser, those are pretty cool as well, you just store the soap in the machine and it gives you your level outputs.
Any washer that spins at 1000 rpms in high heat and high moisture areas is going to develop bearing issues. This is the leading cause for condemning the machines. Only a few accept a bearing change, most require a $480 drum assembly. (total repair with all parts is around $700)

Another issue is with the complexities of them now, so many are using three phase motors and 2vdc, 5vdc and 12dc signal and while in itself not bad, there are issues where a short leads to blown controls, where as is the pure 120 vac system that led to blown circuits or fuses. So we see a high rate of board failure caused by component failure.

Front loaders and modern dual evap fridges are why business is so good these days.

Posted by sassyLSU
Lake Charles, La.
Member since May 2011
2080 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 9:28 pm to
quote:

Of course this means that I will now replace my dryer as well, because my wife doesn't want a mismatched set.



This is so wrong. You married Mrs Monk.

Kenmore washer is good. Warranty is a must. All washer brands are now equally bad. Things went down hill in those 11 years. Kenmore because of your locale. Warranty is the key.

no drier. you know its sick.
This post was edited on 2/14/15 at 9:32 pm
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