HE washers/dryers bad rap mainly older models??

[Red Squirrel]

I'd like to look at a front loader eventually just for the extra capacity. Would be nice to be able to do the bedspread at home.

I can sorta fit it in my top loader but it's so tight that it does not really clean.

From what I understand the front loaders have improved quite a bit now but when they were still new they had issues.

 

[Harrod]

I had a samsung that I liked a lot, mine would smell a little if I used the liquid detergent, but if I switched to the powder it was fine.

 

[dud]

Search on Youtube for issues related to these models. There are a number of videos of people finding that their units have inadequate/non-existent corrosion protection. They take them apart and find that they are rusting out from the inside.

I purchased a new W/D set from Maytag (Whirlpool) back in 2010. I thought I got a good deal until I noticed that the washer was rusting badly. I called their CS line and was told that their warranties DO NOT cover rust. I've had to take my washer apart twice to attack te rust and keep it at bay. I estimate that (at best) the washer will only last a few more years before a replacement is necessary.

Avoid Maytag/Whirlpool unless they guaranty you a warranty against corrosion. If they do then they are protecting their units against rust. If not, walk away ...

 

[notposting]

I don't think my washer is cheap or different from most. Which one are you using? Every contractor I've talked to I.e., plumber, electrician, general contractor etc. all commented on my washer and dryer and they said the same thing. Btw mine is http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007GD...7287134&sr=8-1

It's a Frigidaire GLGH1642FS. Fwiw -- IBEW Local 58 -- hell, I was an apprentice most of those years. You can trust I got dirty.


Rant:

Problem is we moved in spring 2013, and that kicked off the year of doom. We got screwed by the lying family pieces of shit in the first place, and I doubt the remains of the toxic well water sitting in the machine have done it any good. It sat (unwinterized) in a storage unit last winter, and has gotten driven all over the place and taken apart a couple of times.

And the new place doesn't have gas for it anyway...and laundry is in the friggin kitchen. We need to do some work but might just rig something up in the kitchen anyway. Currently have some ancient Maytag's from the 80's in there.

Arghhh

 

[Red Squirrel]

Search on Youtube for issues related to these models. There are a number of videos of people finding that their units have inadequate/non-existent corrosion protection. They take them apart and find that they are rusting out from the inside.

I purchased a new W/D set from Maytag (Whirlpool) back in 2010. I thought I got a good deal until I noticed that the washer was rusting badly. I called their CS line and was told that their warranties DO NOT cover rust. I've had to take my washer apart twice to attack te rust and keep it at bay. I estimate that (at best) the washer will only last a few more years before a replacement is necessary.

Avoid Maytag/Whirlpool unless they guaranty you a warranty against corrosion. If they do then they are protecting their units against rust. If not, walk away ...

Wow you'd think that something designed to get wet would be... rust proof. Pretty sad how badly some of these companies skimp and the consumer pays for it in the end.

 

[TwiceOver]

Going on our 8th year with Kenmore HE3 (I think they are). Had to replace the heat element in the dryer once. Other than that, great units.

Leave the door open to the washer, it's just that easy.

 

[Leyawiin]

I guess if you had a big family an HE washer might be important. I do about three loads a week - an standard top loader is fine. As far as helping to avoid a mold smell in washers - don't use liquids. They leave a residue on the outside of the drum which starts to collect fabric fibers. In time mildew starts to grow in them. Use a powder instead (this advice came from a repairman).

 

[rsbennett00]

I have a 6 year old set of front loading LG's. In the last house the basement floor was 50 years old and uneven so it was a nightmare trying to keep the washer level and quiet. In the new house they are on the first floor and thus the washer acts perfectly. However, I hate using a front load washer, even on the pedestal. It's awkward to get clothes out quickly without dropping something.

Besides the water saving, is there any other benefit of front loading washers? There's so many downsides that saving water is not a concern. I swear I'll never buy another one.

 

[Hugo Drax]

I don't think my washer is cheap or different from most. Which one are you using? Every contractor I've talked to I.e., plumber, electrician, general contractor etc. all commented on my washer and dryer and they said the same thing. Btw mine is http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007GD...7287134&sr=8-1

Wow 980 dollars for just the washer and only 3.6 cubic feet?

I can't see any reason to spend that much when you cAn get a complete setup for 70 dollars more and it gets you 4.5 cubic feet.

 

[alkemyst]

I have top loader ones and I think most of the bad press comes from those not understanding HE's aren't the same as conventional machines and overload them/use the wrong soaps/etc.

I haven't had trouble with mine for years (Whirlpool Cabrios), however; the washer is making a rubbing noise under the tub...I can duplicate it by hand. Probably need to pull the tub up and see what's underneath it.

 

[TwiceOver]

Besides the water saving, is there any other benefit of front loading washers? There's so many downsides that saving water is not a concern. I swear I'll never buy another one.

For me, stacking is a must. Such a bunch of wasted space having them sitting next to each other. I won't ever go back to top load.

 

[alkemyst]

For me, stacking is a must. Such a bunch of wasted space having them sitting next to each other. I won't ever go back to top load.

Yeah, if you don't have the space, then front load for stacking.

I like my top load HE, as I can stop them and add items if needed which with kids is common.

Also the top load avoid some of the other issues (smells and the like) that front loading have.

Affresh tablets are good for them, I use them in my dish washer/disposal time to time.

My top loader hasn't needed them.

 

[TwiceOver]

Yeah, if you don't have the space, then front load for stacking.

I like my top load HE, as I can stop them and add items if needed which with kids is common.

Also the top load avoid some of the other issues (smells and the like) that front loading have.

Affresh tablets are good for them, I use them in my dish washer/disposal time to time.

My top loader hasn't needed them.

I've heard a lot of complaints about smell, but have never had that issue. But I leave the door open always and run a bleach cleaning cycle once a month. Gotta take care of your investments.

 

[TheSlamma]

Going on our 8th year with Kenmore HE3 (I think they are). Had to replace the heat element in the dryer once. Other than that, great units.

Leave the door open to the washer, it's just that easy.

This is why I don't like new appliances, all the savings in energy is wiped away in the parts replacement.

We have an early 90's set of Whirlpool Heavy Duty washer and gas dryer that have never had service once and none of the stupid issues people are talking about with these fancy new models. Our utility bills in the summer average $60 for both gas and electric and that's with a swamp cooler running.

In our kitchen it's the same thing, we just have 90's Kitchenaid appliances, the dishwasher still has the original door gasket even let alone all the big parts don't have any signs of ever quitting. My dad's Samsung fridge suffered a power surge and blew out some control board on it, $200. Again all that energy savings wiped away between the part and the spoiled food.

 

[feralkid]

Gotta take care of your investments.

What has the quarterly return been averaging on this "investment"?

 

[OverVolt]

This is why I don't like new appliances, all the savings in energy is wiped away in the parts replacement.

We have an early 90's set of Whirlpool Heavy Duty washer and gas dryer that have never had service once and none of the stupid issues people are talking about with these fancy new models. Our utility bills in the summer average $60 for both gas and electric and that's with a swamp cooler running.

In our kitchen it's the same thing, we just have 90's Kitchenaid appliances, the dishwasher still has the original door gasket even let alone all the big parts don't have any signs of ever quitting. My dad's Samsung fridge suffered a power surge and blew out some control board on it, $200. Again all that energy savings wiped away between the part and the spoiled food.

I hear ya.

So long as you set the proper water level for the load I don't see how a top loader is even that wasteful on water.

 

[notposting]

I hear ya.

So long as you set the proper water level for the load I don't see how a top loader is even that wasteful on water.

Use an HE front load. Friggin amazing. Also, automatic load sensing.

As for control boards -- get an HE front loader with simple knob timers versus the computerized and touchscreen crap.

 

[alkemyst]

What has the quarterly return been averaging on this "investment"?

wow, here we go...

 

[NutBucket]

Use an HE front load. Friggin amazing. Also, automatic load sensing.

As for control boards -- get an HE front loader with simple knob timers versus the computerized and touchscreen crap.

Uh, there's still a control board in there. You think any front loader has purely mechanical controls?

At any rate, we've been happy so far with our LG set. As mentioned, we're about 90% sure the speed queen washer at our apartment building really did a number on our clothes; all sorts of random holes no matter the age.

 

[Kaido]

I just bought a pair of Speed Queens, so I wouldn't know. I plan on keeping these forever.

Whoa, added to my wishlist! +1

 

[TwiceOver]

This is why I don't like new appliances, all the savings in energy is wiped away in the parts replacement.

We have an early 90's set of Whirlpool Heavy Duty washer and gas dryer that have never had service once and none of the stupid issues people are talking about with these fancy new models. Our utility bills in the summer average $60 for both gas and electric and that's with a swamp cooler running.

In our kitchen it's the same thing, we just have 90's Kitchenaid appliances, the dishwasher still has the original door gasket even let alone all the big parts don't have any signs of ever quitting. My dad's Samsung fridge suffered a power surge and blew out some control board on it, $200. Again all that energy savings wiped away between the part and the spoiled food.

$55 over the course of 8 years is pretty good in my opinion.

What has the quarterly return been averaging on this "investment"?

$37.50 What the quarterly return on your investment of time into being a dickhole?

 

[alkemyst]

He ain't a dickhole, he's the whole dick.

 

[evident]

i have a front loading HE washer and dryer, samsung, about 5 years old and running great, no mold or any other issues that people seem to have.

 

[boomerang]

The Duet HE front loader models that we bought in early 2004 are still going strong. It's just my wife and myself and we do two to three loads a week. We do leave the door open on the washer. It will start to smell if you don't but if you think about it, it's because there is a seal on the door. If you close it there can be no evaporation and it becomes a breeding ground for whatever likes those conditions. We just leave it open a bit and it's a non-issue. My one complaint is that we bought the pedestals to raise them up and the washer on the highest spin dry speed will walk around. No amount of leveling will correct it. I run it on the next to highest spin speed and it stays put. My wife never seems to remember to do that. I think without the pedestal it would be fine. I believe these were the first generation of residential front loader units.

Edit: Just remembered I do have another complaint about the washer. There is a fine line between overloading it and not overloading it and it's just about impossible to determine where that line is. With just a touch too much in there, pant legs and shirt sleeves wind together into a knotted mess that have to be unraveled before going into the dryer. It's kind of a PITA. But I wonder how relevant complaints on an 11 year old set of appliances are to what's being sold today. Probably not much.

We need new units for the condo and are going to get a pair from the Whirlpool Cabrio line. HE top loader washer and matching front load dryer. It's killing me right now because all the sales are on but we won't be down there until the last day of December and I don't think I can delay delivery that long. I need to call today on that to find out for certain.

 

[slag]

That is correct but the front loaders do not clean as well. Just something to keep in mind if you're outside all the time or do physical labor with items touching your clothes.

Yeah, this is not true at all. I work in the garage a lot and come in covered in filth. My clothes come out as clean as they did with a top loader non HE washing machine.