Front Load Washer Recommendations ?

[imcarthur]

Many companies don't make their own appliances. See Who Makes What? for a breakdown.

Ian

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

I've had a set of the Whirlpool Duet HE front loaders for 5 yrs with zero problems.

That's the one I have.

It kept shutting itself off mid-cycle. You'd restart it, sometimes it would work, sometimes not. Kept getting it fixed under warrantee, but it kept happening again. replaced switches, relays, and eventually the computer/board.

It only had a 1 year warrantee, so a few weeks before that it was up it was still giving me grief. I got so frustrated that I logged onto a forum for appliance repairmen, created an account "Jake's Appliances". Posted the problem and turned out there was a whirlpool service bulletin about the whole front door being built off-spec. It was just slightly twisted and would not seat 100%, which would shut the machine down.

I called the place I bought it from, gave them the service bulletin, and they brought me a door off a machine they had in stock.

It's worked OK since then, but it was a very frustrating experience considering it was the first NEW washer & dryer I had ever owned.

[aigel]

Just checked GE's site. And sure enough, the electromechanical dial knob is replaced by circuit board. I like those old school dials. They never break. Our washer only has the dial and a single switch. A circuit board unfortunately is cheaper, so that's all we'll see in the future.

George

[MT930]

Thanks All

I went with a LG they had a good rating and direct drive transmission.
(The drive and pump are the acillihes heal of the Kenmore/ Whirlpool unit I am replacing).

Shopped by phone with all the big box guys and local appliance stores.

High price of $1100 low price of $630.00/ free delivery at Sears same unit.

Sears was any easy choice.

[targa911S]

I get a BJ every time my wife washes clothes for buying her the Maytag Neptune set. She says that the only way they could be better would be if they loaded and folded the clothes themselves. ( I guess that would mean I would do laundry)

[72doug2,2S]

Quote:
Originally Posted by wrecktech View Post
I just bought a Bosch set and love them.

Originally Posted by Dottore

Ditto.

+1 Ditto

We've had our Bosch set since August 07, so far it really is nice.

Anybody heard whether installing them over a basement was not good because of the weight?

[nostatic]

what is the rationale for a front loading washer? Seems like a stupid design to me.

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by nostatic

what is the rationale for a front loading washer? Seems like a stupid design to me.

Fun to watch. Come on...you've done it, remember those days?

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by nostatic

what is the rationale for a front loading washer? Seems like a stupid design to me.

I spent a year in the commercial laundry biz & used up to 800lb washers. They are ALL front load in the biz. The action of the clothes falling back into the water aids in soil removal. And you use less heated water which is a huge expense in laundry.

Ian

[72doug2,2S]

I can't speak for the other Bosch owners, but both washer and dryer seem quiet.

We also went with the Bosch gas stove, very nice.

[Paul T]

Originally Posted by nostatic

what is the rationale for a front loading washer? Seems like a stupid design to me.

Easier on the clothes and uses much less water than top loaders - very environmentally friendly. At least that what I'm told...

[sroeser]

Here's a great Web site for troubleshooting problems and pre-purchase research...www.fixya.com.

We recently bought (~6 months ago) a Kenmore Elite Oasis HE and have just started getting a fatal error (F51).

A quick Google search found this site which provided me a list of error codes, DIY solutions, problem causes, and how other owners dealt with the problem -- all for my specific model. A Sears rep even responded and said he sees 5 of these each week.

Luckily for us we bought the extended Sears warranty.

[wrecktech]

Originally Posted by 72doug2,2S

Quote:
Originally Posted by wrecktech View Post
I just bought a Bosch set and love them.



+1 Ditto

We've had our Bosch set since August 07, so far it really is nice.

Anybody heard whether installing them over a basement was not good because of the weight?

I have the Axxis set and have them stacked in the 2nd floor bathroom. Works great for us.

[aigel]

The difference is the horizontal drum. The horizontal drum works a lot better due to the reasons mentioned above. Usually the horizontal drum is loaded from the front. I have had a top loader with a horizontal drum before too. (They make those for very small spaces and the drum has a hatch that you open.)

You want to spin at 1500 rpm or more to get as much water out of the clothes as possible. There is a limit to spin speed at which the clothes will get very wrinkled though. A lot of the modern washers will stop and reposition the clothes until the drum is balanced enough to spin at high speeds.

George

[cab83_750]

Originally Posted by MT930

Have a Kenmore HE3 front load washer 3 years old. We have had many problems with it, It's a large POS.


Help

I am not sure if we have the same. Mine is Kenmore Elite HE3t. I've had mine for many many years and no single issue.

[M.D. Holloway]

We got the Whirlpool Duet a few weeks ago with the storage. Love it so far.

[stevepaa]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

We've had our Maytag Neptune for 10 yrs and it only needed service once which was covered under the warranty. I'd like to get newer machines but I can't justify it.

bought the last year of the stacking Mayag Neptune washer/dryer. Excellent machines.

[Rob Channell]

I bought an LG front loader for my wife. She LOVES it. To me it's just a washer, but I like making her happy when I can. We have small children and she uses the sanitary cycles quite a bit. It has washed 1-2 loads per day average over the last year or so. I heard from one person that the 1-800 service customer service center was located here in the Huntsville/Madison AL area.

I managed to buy it while it was on sale at a local appliance store and Lowes matched that price and then dropped it another 10%. Then I got a $50 gift card also.

[cab83_750]

BTW, with front-loading washers, you get 2 rebates to somewhat offset the cost:

1. From the Water Company
2. From the Gas Company

At least I did!




The only minus of having this unit is looking for the HE detergent. It is somewhat easier nowadays, but initially it was tough!

[RWebb]

you'll save a fair amount on your water & gas / elec. bills too - over the years it really adds up.