school me on washing machines - looking for a new one

[pauldun170]

In a usually closed off utility room where the humidity level skyrockets every time I do laundry. Plus, I live near a lake, and the humidity is always a lot higher anyhow. So the parts inside the washing machine probably had a lot of condensation on them at times when used, which leads to rust and corrosion on internal metal parts that are not even properly painted or sealed. But even what looked like galvanized parts were rusted out. It was a lot worse inside it when I opened it up than I expected. From the outside it still looked almost new.

That sucks.
It almost sounds like a dehumidifier should be on your shopping list as well.

 

[Elixer]

Just freaks me out with the digital buttons and 1 year warranty. So it would be silly to pay $100 for a 3 year warranty through home depot?

If the warranty is *full* coverage, and covers both parts and labor, and the machine itself only has 1 year warranty, then, I suppose it might be worth it.

However, lots of those warranties suck, and don't cover everything. They will try to weasel out of it by finding parts that are not covered, and will not cover labor costs either.

So, find out what the original warranty covers, find out what the new one does, and see how long original is, and what the extended warranty covers, and see if it is worth it vs just buying a new machine again.
Also, don't trust what the salesman says, they don't care, they just want you to spend more.

 

[slightlyhuman]

Ended up picking up the washer and dryer of the below model. Got installed yesterday. Enjoying them so far.

 

[notposting]

I'm a Luddite in many ways, but the anti front-load crew always amuses me. "New fangled" since the 1930's, "high maintenance" as we discuss the maintenance on top loaders, etc.

We bought a front load Frigidaire laundry center in 2008, electro mechanical controls, uses less water, gets clothes cleaner, can fit more in, run a bleach only wash every 6 months or so, simply keep the door cracked open, but yeah. (Yay anecdote!)

Front load, used by most of the world, used in commercial and industrial, but US baby boomers grew up on top load, so that MUST be better.

 

[Aikouka]

If the warranty is *full* coverage, and covers both parts and labor, and the machine itself only has 1 year warranty, then, I suppose it might be worth it.

However, lots of those warranties suck, and don't cover everything. They will try to weasel out of it by finding parts that are not covered, and will not cover labor costs either.

A friend of mine told me that he always takes out warranties on items that cost more than $1,000. So, when his fridge that he bought and warrantied through Lowes died, it was good to see that after the repairman said he couldn't fix it, Lowes just cut him a check. It was a bit of an inconvenience as he was out a fridge until his new one got delivered, but they took care of him pretty well.

We bought a front load Frigidaire laundry center in 2008, electro mechanical controls, uses less water, gets clothes cleaner, can fit more in, run a bleach only wash every 6 months or so, simply keep the door cracked open, but yeah. (Yay anecdote!)

The agitator-less top-loading washers look to have quite a bit of room in them. I ended up going with a front-loading washer, but I was strongly considering an agitator-less top loader. What kind of pushed me away is that I saw a few comments saying that they just didn't seem to clean as well or use enough water.

Although, the one thing that I hate about front loader is the incredible gouging on pedestals. $250-300 for a stupid, metal drawer... really? That ought to be considered extorting anyone over six feet tall! D:

 

[TheGardener]

I didn't even know that HE top loading washers were made, until I needed a new one. No interest in looking at new washers for 22 years.

I read the reviews of poor cleaning too. But after I ran into that problem, I read the instruction manual. Then I made sure that I used the proper settings. These washers have a heavily soiled setting. Haven't run into this problem since.

Regarding extended warranties, they are simply insurance policies. The companies always win if they understand how many of and how often their appliances breakdown.

Sometimes by self insuring one loses. I bought a Sears vacuum cleaner with a 90 day/1 year warranty. The thing died after 15 months. I understand the problem (a loose connection), but Sears wants $100 just to look at it. I figure that part would cost more than $100. $200 is more than I paid for it. That's life in the throwaway world we live in.

 

[bigi]

I'm a Luddite in many ways, but the anti front-load crew always amuses me. "New fangled" since the 1930's, "high maintenance" as we discuss the maintenance on top loaders, etc.

We bought a front load Frigidaire laundry center in 2008, electro mechanical controls, uses less water, gets clothes cleaner, can fit more in, run a bleach only wash every 6 months or so, simply keep the door cracked open, but yeah. (Yay anecdote!)

Front load, used by most of the world, used in commercial and industrial, but US baby boomers grew up on top load, so that MUST be better.

Just look through the pane of front loader at what happens while washing...

There is no contest here IMO. I only get front loaders.

 

[Ban Bot]

The pedestals are the financial gravy train.

It is an extremely high margin "accessory" that many buyers consider "essential" yet buyers are not offended when it is not presented on the appliance list price as it is truly considered an optional item.

I'm a Luddite in many ways, but the anti front-load crew always amuses me. "New fangled" since the 1930's, "high maintenance" as we discuss the maintenance on top loaders, etc....
Front load, used by most of the world, used in commercial and industrial, but US baby boomers grew up on top load, so that MUST be better.

It has nothing to do with being a Luddite. Defect rate (out of the box and 1st year failure rate) on top loaders with agitators is lower and repair costs are substantially cheaper (often DIY for those moderately handy). Top loaders use more water and electricity, cause more clothing wear, and often cannot hold as much as models (top or front) without agitators. I did the math when we bought our washer to see how long it would be before we recouped enough savings on water/electricity to justify a front loader... yeah, not happening where I live. (Source: me. Experience: used to assemble the dang things.)

Oh, and while a pedestal is really optional with a top loader you are a glutton for punishment if you get a front loader without pedestal! But if you are in CA or another water starved area it may be worth looking into.

 

[Aikouka]

Oh, and while a pedestal is really optional with a top loader you are a glutton for punishment if you get a front loader without pedestal! But if you are in CA or another water starved area it may be worth looking into.

Eh, I didn't buy them. Sure, I would probably prefer the extra height, but I'll be quite frank... I'm kind of cheap, and I really cannot justify an extra $500 for not having to bend over. Heck, I already have to bend over to get stuff out of my current "normal" dryer (to note, it's just a rental with my apartment, which is why I'm buying one). Now, I just have to do it with my washer too.

I've actually been looking into just building a platform that I can place the washer and dryer on. I'll probably look into it a bit more if it feels like a problem.

 

[bigi]

The pedestals are the financial gravy train.

It is an extremely high margin "accessory" that many buyers consider "essential" yet buyers are not offended when it is not presented on the appliance list price as it is truly considered an optional item.

...

Meh.

This is what I am going to do.

DYI

 

[inachu]

Got a LG top loader without the center spindle arm and it washes so fast and it gets the clothes just as clean as far as I can tell.
THe matching dryer has steam so that it dries clothes faster.
The best thing I liked about our new LG is that it is so silent!

 

[purbeast0]

glad i did not jump the gun and buy a new washer.

got the part yesterday from amazon for $25 and installed it and it's working like new now lol.

 

[slightlyhuman]

Love the samsung washer/dryer I bought. It holds a shit ton of clothes. Pretty quiet too. I like the music it plays at the end of cycles but wish you could turn the volume down instead of on/off.

$1350 installed and 3 year warranty. I'm pretty happy. It does not have an agitator, I'm going to put a gopro in it sooner or later and record the cycle. I'll post it here eventually.