Opinions of front loading washer/dryers

[steppinthrax]

I'm planning to get a washer/dryer set. I'm looking at several brands and I'm not sure which are best. A few things

1. Family of four (some large loads, large blankets etc...)
2. All electric home
3. Looking used, see a whole shit-ton on craiglist

 

[Fritzo]

Front loaders generally have a lot less capacity than top loaders.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Eh, they need to be properly ventilated, lest you get a musky smell in the drums.

We personally went with Whirlpool's Cabrio series: Seen here and here.

Those two both have a fantastic array of wash/dry settings. The most useful feature we've used, particularly with blankets, is the 'sanitize' option on the dryer. Burn away the germs :thumbsup:

 

[steppinthrax]

Front loaders generally have a lot less capacity than top loaders.

I'm seeing 3.6 cu ft for washer and 7.2 on dryer (average). Also you are subtracting that spindle in the center that take space.

 

[steppinthrax]

Eh, they need to be properly ventilated, lest you get a musky smell in the drums.

We personally went with Whirlpool's Cabrio series: Seen here and here.

Those two both have a fantastic array of wash/dry settings. The most useful feature we've used, particularly with blankets, is the 'sanitize' option on the dryer. Burn away the germs :thumbsup:

what do you mean musty smell in the drums?

 

[JM Aggie08]

http://www.treehugger.com/cleaning-organizing/8-tips-maintaining-front-load-washing-machines.html

Simply, just the design of the machines. Granted, these issues may have been reduced in the last few years, and I definitely cannot speak from personal experience. Just something to be aware of.

Like Fritzo mentioned, you typically forgo a capacity with front loaders as well, and more times than not pay a much higher cost for the unit.

 

[Fritzo]

I'm seeing 3.6 cu ft for washer and 7.2 on dryer (average). Also you are subtracting that spindle in the center that take space.

They don't have spindles on a lot of the newer top loaders. You can get 4.5cu+ washers now, but I think front loaders max out around 3.8 or so. Not enough to get a queen size comforter in there. The only reason I see for getting a front-loader is limited space in your laundry room

Newer top loader interiors:

what do you mean musty smell in the drums?

On some of the older designs, the water didn't drain completely and you had to keep the door open when not in use to prevent mildew. They may have solved this issue on newer designs.

 

[Genx87]

what do you mean musty smell in the drums?

Front loaders are notorious for mold growth. It requires a cleaning ~monthly via vinegar or some other front loader cleaner.

 

[preslove]

They're sluts

 

[JM Aggie08]

They don't have spindles on a lot of the newer top loaders. You can get 4.5cu+ washers now, but I think front loaders max out around 3.8 or so. Not enough to get a queen size comforter in there. The only reason I see for getting a front-loader is limited space in your laundry room

Newer top loader interiors:

That's exactly what mine looks like. We had gone from crappy apartment stacked washer/dryers to these new fancy things: we stood and watched an entire cycle start to finish the first time we used it lol. It's crazy to see it calculate the amount of water needed just by determining the weight. Also pretty neat seeing the ENTIRE barrel move to agitate the load.

 

[ControlD]

Have you ever started a load of laundry only to discover you forgot to put something in? With a top loader, you simply pause the washer, open the lid and add that item. What do you do with a front loader that is full of water? I am guessing you are out of luck.

We purchased a LG set a few years ago with a top load washer (no spindle) and it has been great. I would go for a top loader personally. No seals to tear / replace and easier to use overall.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Front loaders are notorious for mold growth. It requires a cleaning ~monthly via vinegar or some other front loader cleaner.

Never have had to do this in ten years of owning Front Loaders. Just leave the door open a little between uses. No mold.

 

[Genx87]

Have you ever started a load of laundry only to discover you forgot to put something in? With a top loader, you simply pause the washer, open the lid and add that item. What do you do with a front loader that is full of water? I am guessing you are out of luck.

We purchased a LG set a few years ago with a top load washer (no spindle) and it has been great. I would go for a top loader personally. No seals to tear / replace and easier to use overall.

That is a good question. Though I have never had to do it with our front loader. But I am curious if there is enough water in there to actually spill out. Or if it will even let me open it after it fills with water. The amount of water in a front loader is really small compared to a top loader.

I would also get a top loader if a unit had to be purchased today. Though I like our front loader dryer. We have a pair of LG 12 cycle front loader units.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Have you ever started a load of laundry only to discover you forgot to put something in? With a top loader, you simply pause the washer, open the lid and add that item. What do you do with a front loader that is full of water? I am guessing you are out of luck.

We purchased a LG set a few years ago with a top load washer (no spindle) and it has been great. I would go for a top loader personally. No seals to tear / replace and easier to use overall.

Do it all the time, water level never goes above the bottom lip of the door. Never used a front loader, I'm guessing.

 

[ControlD]

Do it all the time, water level never goes above the bottom lip of the door. Never used a front loader, I'm guessing.

I never have (well, not a modern one), which is why I was curious. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Fritzo]

That is a good question. Though I have never had to do it with our front loader. But I am curious if there is enough water in there to actually spill out. Or if it will even let me open it after it fills with water. The amount of water in a front loader is really small compared to a top loader.

I would also get a top loader if a unit had to be purchased today. Though I like our front loader dryer. We have a pair of LG 12 cycle front loader units.

Front loaders lock until to the water drains. You can't open the door once the cycle starts.

 

[Capt Caveman]

They don't have spindles on a lot of the newer top loaders. You can get 4.5cu+ washers now, but I think front loaders max out around 3.8 or so. Not enough to get a queen size comforter in there. The only reason I see for getting a front-loader is limited space in your laundry room

Can fit a queen size comforter and more in my LG Front Loader.

 

[Genx87]

Never have had to do this in ten years of owning Front Loaders. Just leave the door open a little between uses. No mold.

Most people wont leave it open. Even doing that has seen mixed results. It is a very common issue compared to top loaders.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Most people wont leave it open. Even doing that has seen mixed results. It is a very common issue compared to top loaders.

Go to one of the dozen front loading washing machine threads here, I don't believe anyone has had this issue but also b/c everyone leaves their front doors open a little bit.

 

[mmntech]

We have a Kenmore Elite front loader that has served our family well for the last few years. Haven't really had an issue with mold growth or musky smells. Yes, you do have to clean them every so often. It has a self-cleaning cycle. Just run some bleach through it every couple months.

As for size, it fits a full load no problem.

Wouldn't bother with the fancy ones with the steam cleaning and that. People who own them say the more features it has, the more prone they are to failure. The new washers do not last as long as the old ones.

 

[Genx87]

Go to one of the dozen front loading washing machine threads here, I don't believe anyone has had this issue but also b/c everyone leaves their front doors open a little bit.

Front loader mold issues are pretty well know. There were\are even a few lawsuits over it.

Anandtech is the land of perfection. Everybody makes 6 figures, is hung like a horse, and front loaders never mold.

 

[notposting]

Front loaders lock until to the water drains. You can't open the door once the cycle starts.

You just stop the cycle and wait a minute for the lock to release.

As for the rest:

No problems with mold on ours. Usually run a bleach only cycle every 6 months or so. Leave the door cracked between uses.

A full size front loader has good capacity and generally cleans better than an HE top loader. Also front loaders extract the most water from clothing, resulting in shorter drying times - could be good with electric drying.

House we bought last year had regular machines in it, top load washer and regular dryer. Ditched them for our front loaders after getting the gas rerouted for the dryer. So much better.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Front loader mold issues are pretty well know. There were\are even a few lawsuits over it.

Anandtech is the land of perfection. Everybody makes 6 figures, is hung like a horse, and front loaders never mold.

Or just take the advice of owner here, no mold.

 

[notposting]

Front loader mold issues are pretty well know. There were\are even a few lawsuits over it.

Anandtech is the land of perfection. Everybody makes 6 figures, is hung like a horse, and front loaders never mold.

Well, don't buy one of those shitty Whirlpool's that had the problem

:neigh:

 

[Viper GTS]

I'm on my second set of LG (sold the first electric set when I moved cross country to a gas region). Both were great.

The mold/smell issues are over-blown. I have ten years now between the two sets and have never once done anything other than regular laundry use. No cleaning, no bleach cycles, nothing. I just leave the door open when it's not in use.

The FUD over this is astounding, they're simply better in every way. Yes they can be expensive ($2k for my current steam set) but I love them and I will not go back.

The only thing I can't do is properly wash/dry a king comforter. But sizing a washer and dryer for that purpose for a household of two is just stupid.

Viper GTS