Front Loading Washers....

[CRXican]

It's surprisingly fun to watch. I think everyone in the family has done at least one load of laundry since we got them at the end of last year. It was either Black Friday or an after Christmas sale at Lowes but we got in on the Samsung VRT deal. We haven't had any issues thus far. They are sitting on an linoleum floor on a raised foundation and the vibration has not been an issue. No other major problems yet but it has been less than one year.

We are sure to leave the washer door open. No funky smells yet.

 

[sixone]

My top-loader quit this year, after about 10 years of use. I had a repairman out to tell me if it could/should be fixed. He told me to replace it with another top-loader, because of the issues that front-loaders have.

 

[StinkyPinky]

I have a samsung top loaded. It's a fricking washer, so I have no idea if its awesome or not. It does the job, that's all i care about.

 

[bob4432]

after more cost/benefit/savings analysis, it looks like we will be keeping the current set for a while longer. we only do ~3loads/wk and use the dryer basically just to fluff since we let the clothes dry laying around the condo - just can't justify the cost atm since there really isn't a need, more of a want.

thanks for all the experiences and info

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: bob4432
after more cost/benefit/savings analysis, it looks like we will be keeping the current set for a while longer. we only do ~3loads/wk and use the dryer basically just to fluff since we let the clothes dry laying around the condo - just can't justify the cost atm since there really isn't a need, more of a want.

thanks for all the experiences and info

3 loads a week? I could only dream. Hell, it seems like we do 3 loads a day and we only have 4 people and two dogs in the house. Of course, 3 of the people are girls/women and they change clothes multiple times a day, lol!

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: bob4432
after more cost/benefit/savings analysis, it looks like we will be keeping the current set for a while longer. we only do ~3loads/wk and use the dryer basically just to fluff since we let the clothes dry laying around the condo - just can't justify the cost atm since there really isn't a need, more of a want.

thanks for all the experiences and info

3 loads a week? I could only dream. Hell, it seems like we do 3 loads a day and we only have 4 people and two dogs in the house. Of course, 3 of the people are girls/women and they change clothes multiple times a day, lol!

just the wife and myself and 2 toy poodles, she changes 2-3x/day sometimes and myself 1-2x but have a lot of clothes plus in az, lots of shorts/t-shirts. after thinking, i should put it up to 5 loads/wk due to bed clothes getting changed every week, but still, even then, we just use a sheet for the cover

hopefully the front loaders will drop in price in the next year or two...

 

[Yreka]

Aren't the new frontloaders considerably larger than the older style top loaders & use less water / power ? Anyone actually do enough laundry to notice a difference ? We have 2 boys, so our W&D is pretty much going non stop..

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: bob4432

hopefully the front loaders will drop in price in the next year or two...

We paid around $1,800 for our set last year (March or April, IIRC), and by Christmas, a set nearly 100% identical to ours (Samsung) was in the Hot Deals section of several forums for less than $1,000 (maybe less than $900). Talk about making us cry!!! :cry; :cry; :cry;

Originally posted by: Yreka
Aren't the new frontloaders considerably larger than the older style top loaders & use less water / power ? Anyone actually do enough laundry to notice a difference ? We have 2 boys, so our W&D is pretty much going non stop..

Yes.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
My next washer will be a front loader. That's what professional laundromats use, so I'd think if they were particularly bad, they'd use top loaders instead.

Home washers<> laundromat washers.

The big front loaders used in laundromat are anchored to concrete re-bared base in the basement with threaded rods.

My in laws used to own laundromat so I have seen them up close and personal.

I have one of their older maytag toploaders.

Built like a tank.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: Yreka
Aren't the new frontloaders considerably larger than the older style top loaders & use less water / power ? Anyone actually do enough laundry to notice a difference ? We have 2 boys, so our W&D is pretty much going non stop..

YES! Sucks too. Our W/D are in a closet. Replacing the top loaders with front loaders required removing the doors. I have to figure out a way to extend the closet another couple inches so we can put the doors back on.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU

Originally posted by: Yreka
Aren't the new frontloaders considerably larger than the older style top loaders & use less water / power ? Anyone actually do enough laundry to notice a difference ? We have 2 boys, so our W&D is pretty much going non stop..

YES! Sucks too. Our W/D are in a closet. Replacing the top loaders with front loaders required removing the doors. I have to figure out a way to extend the closet another couple inches so we can put the doors back on.

will have to verify dimensions too...hopefully they will get a bit smaller as the current units are in a small laundry room and there is about 1/4" of clearance between the door and the current dryer.

just out of curiosity, anybody know what the old large/super large capacity = in cu ft?

 

[OutHouse]

we bought a electrolux at lowes about a year ago and have had no issues. you do need to keep the washer door open when not in use to prevent mold, even in dry climates. my water bill did go down about 12 bucks a month so that was a plus.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: Yreka
Aren't the new frontloaders considerably larger than the older style top loaders & use less water / power ? Anyone actually do enough laundry to notice a difference ? We have 2 boys, so our W&D is pretty much going non stop..

YES! we are a family of 6 and im always amazed how much i can put in the washer. it used to take us all day on sat to do laundry now we can do it in about 3 hours. I bought the biggest load capacity washer and dryer on the market.

 

[JTsyo]

Anyone try the new ones without the center boss for the top loading washer? Think they use paddles on the bottom to mix things.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
oh, if it starts leaking it gets messy.
+ people sometimes don't leave the door open..since the door is smaller and stuff it takes longer to dry..mold issues.

Forgot to mention this -- definitely leave the door open on the washer. Many people did that with top-loaders, and never realized it. With front loaders, it's definitely important to remember.

Also, don't count on *anything* lasting 10 years. Every salesman I've talked to says that 5 years is the estimated lifespan on both front loaders and top loaders. My mother was pissed that she couldn't buy a warranty on her new top loader for more than 5 years, but they said that's all they'll warrant - they don't think that any new washer or dryer will last more than that.

That's so sad, why in this day and age with all our technology can't we duplicate what was made in the 70 and 80's? My Mom still has the washer and dryer she got when i was 9. that was 22 years ago. I think she had the heater element replaced in the dryer about 10 years ago, but other than that, both units are still going strong.

I mean, how much technology do we need to cram into a washer and dryer? Both items need to spin and one provides hot air, the other provides water. Pretty simple things that were done since what the 40's? if not earlier.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: richardycc

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Lowes has 20% off energy star appliances now (washer included). Grab another 10% movers coupon from the post office or pay a few dollars on ebay.

I picked up this set at $718.56 for the washer and $727.38 for the dryer before tax:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn...49-WF328AAW&lpage=none
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn...49-DV328AGW&lpage=none

hope you are not on a septic system, from Samsung:

"SAMSUNG does not recommend using it's Silver Wash option in conjunction with septic systems."

Thanks for the warning. I didn't notice that, but I don't have a septic system.

I saw one of those new top loading washers without the center agitator. It was like 5 cubic feet capacity or something like that. Huge.

 

[dabuddha]

Eh I'm paranoid. I might be mistaken but I believe front loaders lock once the cycle starts? Would hate to have my kids play around with it and stick one of my cats inside and start er up

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: dabuddha
Eh I'm paranoid. I might be mistaken but I believe front loaders lock once the cycle starts? Would hate to have my kids play around with it and stick one of my cats inside and start er up

You can unlock the door by Stopping the Cycle while it's in progress.

 

[eplebnista]

I prefer top loaders.

 

[krunchykrome]

we haven't had any problems with our front loading washer/dryer

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: JTsyo
Anyone try the new ones without the center boss for the top loading washer? Think they use paddles on the bottom to mix things.

My wife wanted one but after I looked into it it was not easy on the clothes and was VERY unrealiable. I think there have been some lawsuits.

 

[Brovane]

I have a Whirlpool Duet's Front Loading washer and front loading gas dryer since February of 03. They work great.

 

[TXHokie]

Bought one of those first generation front loaders Maytag Neptune series in summer of 99, some 10+ years ago, and they're still going strong. It's true that there's some mold issue with the washer with the door being closed so the seal look kind of crappy with the mold spots. There were some lawsuits and repair offered by the manufacturer over that issue but by the time I found out, I missed the deadline to file and all. In any case, those units are real workhorses since with 3 little kids, it's in use 3-4 times a week year round. Very happy that it has lasted this long without any issues.

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: JTsyo
Anyone try the new ones without the center boss for the top loading washer? Think they use paddles on the bottom to mix things.

any examples?

 

[Mojoed]

Man, I've had front-loading washing machines for 25 years. My parents even longer. None of us have ever had a single issue with any of them.

Per conversations with my BIL, (repairman) most of the issues front loaders have stem from small children hanging on the door, and from the door being slammed. If you watch it, you should be fine.

Again, no one in my family has ever had an issue with front loading washers, ever.