Washing Machines

[cgarr]

Our old 20 year old Kenmore is on its last leg. Started looking at new machines, the front load looks cool but was reading about the longer cycle times and mold problems with some of them. So do ya think the lady of the house should just stick with the proven top load which has served her well for over 20 years?

[Neilk]

Wife complains that our front loader smells if you don't leave the door open when not in use, takes too long and isn't as gentle on her clothes as top loaders. She would love to get a new top loader, but I am not paying more money to get a new machine when we already have a new washer.

I'd like to see how the front loaders can be more efficient when they run 2x as long.

[equality72521]

We HATE our front loader!

[widebody911]

I love my front loader, with the exception that once the wash cycle has started, you can't open the door (ie to add more clothes) until it decides it's done.

[MFAFF]

Front loaders do tend to retain water within the seal which them goes mouldy...unless you are rigourous in keeping it dry and the door ajar.

Their advantage is that the clothes are generally cleaner than a top loader were they tend to stay 'at the bottom'...

Over here the vast majority of machines are front loaders as we rarely have space for a top loader...machines goe under work tops or are stacked with a dryer or in a cupboard...

[willtel]

We have a Bosch front loader and it has been fine, we do leave the door open overnight every now and again to let it dry out. It does take longer but it seems easy on fabrics and they come out almost dry. I just wish my old dryer would kick the bucket so I could replace it.

[vash]

my front loader smells funky. i do love how it uses less water, but i think a modern top loader is pretty conservative now too. so just keeping the door open will cure the funk? is there something i can scrub to assist the situation? i think we do leave the door open..at least i do.

[Paul T]

We have a front loader and love it. I too read all about the mold issues, but we've never had a problem and it doesn't smell at all. Just leave the door open when not in use, not a big deal....

[GH85Carrera]

From what I heard the government is here to protect us once again. Soon all that will be available is a front loaders. They use less water so that is all that matters to the G-Man. Just like the toilets today they will regulate them as well. Get a top loader soon before the are gone.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Had high effeciency front loaders for 6 years. No mold no smell. We have the Duet pair.

The washer uses very little water and even less soap. Clothes come out very clean and have not noticed any unusual wear compared to top loaders.

I have the 2000 rpm model which means the clothes come out almost dry from the spinning.

The washer takes a while because it starts and stops a lot while determining the proper amount of water required for the load.

The dryer makes up for the long cycle time since it runs about half the amount of time of a older style top loader.

[sammyg2]

Older style, less complicated top loaders are better IMO.

Lower purchase cost, less fancy electronics to go wrong, and they don't kill little kids when they climb inside.
YMMV

[ossiblue]

We have the Bosch front load washer and dryer, and they are great. As others have said, easier on clothes, uses way less water and detergent, and is quieter. Yes, the cycle is longer but the clothes come out much drier (very high spin rpm's.) The wife simply puts a small hand towel in the door opening to keep the door ajar when's she's done, and that prevents the moldy smell. Our model has a "pause" button that will unlatch the door during the cycle to add clothes.

[cgarr]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Older style, less complicated top loaders are better IMO. Lower purchase cost, less fancy electronics to go wrong, and they don't kill little kids when they climb inside.
YMMV

Got it! This is what she is going to get then!

[cgarr]

I got it fixed tonight, I had to shim the ring gear closer to the worm gear in the transmission so it would not slip, This will give us a few days to search for a new washer, I hate being under pressure to buy the first one I look at!

[T77911S]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Older style, less complicated top loaders are better IMO.

Lower purchase cost, less fancy electronics to go wrong, and they don't kill little kids when they climb inside.
YMMV

you gotta stop putting car parts in there!

i have heard the front loaders are not as reliable, may have been here.

[myamoto1]

We've had a front loader for over 6 years with no issues. We also leave the door open after we're done. My only complaint now is, with 2 kids, the longer wash cycles and smaller capacity (our model) makes it seem like we're doing laundry 24/7.

I'm with willtell - waiting for the 10+ year old dryer to kick the bucket so we can replace it.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Originally Posted by myamoto1

with 2 kids, it seem like we're doing laundry 24/7.

Welcome to the club!

[myamoto1]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

Welcome to the club!

We joined the club about 3 1/2 years ago, but "upgraded" our membership about 1 1/2 years ago... I think we may need to upgrade our washer and dryer to help with the dues (or is that doo-doos?).

[jmaxwell]

We have had a Fridgidaire Gallery pair for the last 10 years or so. I haven't noticed smell or mold problems, but I have had to replace the pump so often (3 x at least) that they now offer a lifetime replacement policy like for brake pads from autozone. The dryer (gas) keeps using up the felt/teflon seal, and when it goes out, it tends to trap clothes between the drum and door and then burn them. Don't think I'd recommend this set, unless they have done a bunch of improvement in recent years

Also, it's good to spring for a pedestal (or build one if you're a CSOB like me). Better on the back when getting clothes in and out of either machine.

Jack

[The Gaijin]

The front loaders use less soap, less water, less energy (gravity for agitation) and spin out much of the water which in turn cuts your dryer time / energy bills. My pluses.