Top Load Vs. Front Load HE Washer?

[Red Squirrel]

The VRT is actually a drum within a drum surrounded by ball bearings between them. When the load becomes off balance, it displaces the ball bearings to the other side to help balance the load. If that doesn't happen in the first few spins (large off balance), the machine senses this and, as you said, stops to reposition the load and try again. It usually only takes a time or two to get it right and from that point on, it's just a high speed whirl with little to no vibration.

Interesting, did not know this, I thought the result was much more disastrous. I guess the videos I've seen is where that mechanism broke. Of course, you're also not suppose to put cinder blocks inside a washer that is operating. (well, even if it's not operating, you're not suppose to. )

 

[JulesMaximus]

And you made the right decision.

Every person here that's happy with their "front loader" will have an opposite opinion as soon as one breaks.

Good luck troubleshooting those....

I will stick to the old technology not just for another 10 years.....more like 20-30 years.

Outside of companies pushing more worthless crap to get you to "upgrade" I really don't see much improvement in this department in the coming future.

BUT one of the biggest reason for my opinion is the fact that I troubleshoot and fix my appliances.

That's why I bought a HE top loader.

Our old washing machine (almost 15 years old) had been repaired a couple times (Maytag), the agitator was broken and our clothes weren't really getting very clean so we decided that rather than repair it yet again that we would just replace it with a more efficient model.

Throwing money at old appliances is foolish IMO. Especially when the newer ones are more efficient.

 

[tortillasoup]

That's always what has been my main concern with the concept of stacking. That, and I've seen what happens when a washer goes out of balance. I really don't want that to be happening when it's 4 feet off the floor, or has another appliance on top of it, whichever way it goes.

Though if it broke, TBH I'd probably call an appliance guy, just because I'd probably be in the middle of laundry and I need it to work NOW. They'll have the parts and know how to fix it on the spot right away.

All of those concerns are invalid.
1. A front loading washer will never go out of balance due to the computer controls. It is inherently checking for balance. 2. 99% of the service needs can be done with the dryer stacked on top of the washing machine. I know this because I did work on my neighbor's machine as they have this setup while I have a top loader washing machine setup. I'm thinking of getting a front loader machine or a top loading with a horizontal axis to save water and faster spin.

 

[mizzou]

I have a top load fisher & paykel (their first one they imported to US) and its been going great since 2006.

From what I've read before, I believe front load ones don't have as many balance issues top load ones have. Other then that, I think top loaders are more reliable.


Oh, and if it goes out of balance , it's like a pinball TILT machine. It knocks from side to side and eventually something (probably a mechanical lever) says, holy shit, I can't automatically even this shit out, HELP ME.

I've had the thing almost tip over before....of course that was a relative trying to wash something without my guidance.

http://www.fp.fisherpaykel.com/direct-drive-motors/history.cfm

 

[Capt Caveman]

Good luck servicing the bottom unit (when time comes)...time to take down the top unit first.......get it out of the way.....before you even start looking at the bottom unit.

I do NOT want no freakin appliances in my bedroom and I laid off HGTV many moons ago so no, I don't care for "master suite" either.

I have no problem going to the basement to do clothes once a week. And if the shit starts leaking all over the place, no problem...there is nothing to damage in that area. And I won't have to people just to move things before they even start troubleshooting.

Heck I can do all the troubleshooting myself.

Good luck to you, it's just a matter of time....

Sure, ten years and counting. If I have a problem with the either one, it's pretty easy to slide them out. And if there's a leak? I have sensors placed on the bottom of the plastic pan that the stacked pair are in that will shut-off the water values if they detect water. So, what's the problem I have?

Ignorance, you post a lot of it. Maybe, if you'd post less, you wouldn't look so stupid here so often. And yes, the convenience of having the clothes washer/dryer in my master suite is great. Heck, we can even have them running while we sleep and they don't wake us up.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Throwing money at old appliances is foolish IMO. Especially when the newer ones are more efficient.

It has cost me a grand total of $40 bucks to fix my washer and dryer over past 15+ years.

Parts for this old technology are DIRT CHEAP.

High Efficiency is just another way to get you to dump your money on a new, expensive and overly complex piece of equipment.

So you got the top loader with motherboard and whole bunch of other electronics that will be a nightmare in the long run?

 

[Vdubchaos]

Sure, ten years and counting. If I have a problem with the either one, it's pretty easy to slide them out. And if there's a leak? I have sensors placed on the bottom of the plastic pan that the stacked pair are in that will shut-off the water values if they detect water. So, what's the problem I have?

Ignorance, you post a lot of it. Maybe, if you'd post less, you wouldn't look so stupid here so often. And yes, the convenience of having the clothes washer/dryer in my master suite is great. Heck, we can even have them running while we sleep and they don't wake us up.

Why you so mad though?

If you like it, that's all that matters.

 

[makken]

For those of you with stacked units, is reaching for the top unit's controls a pita?

Also did you consider a combo washer and dryer prior to going stacked?

 

[SparkyJJO]

All of those concerns are invalid.
1. A front loading washer will never go out of balance due to the computer controls. It is inherently checking for balance. 2. 99% of the service needs can be done with the dryer stacked on top of the washing machine. I know this because I did work on my neighbor's machine as they have this setup while I have a top loader washing machine setup. I'm thinking of getting a front loader machine or a top loading with a horizontal axis to save water and faster spin.

My front loader can get shaking pretty good. Maybe the older models are just more prone to it, I don't know.

It has cost me a grand total of $40 bucks to fix my washer and dryer over past 15+ years.

Parts for this old technology are DIRT CHEAP.

High Efficiency is just another way to get you to dump your money on a new, expensive and overly complex piece of equipment.

So you got the top loader with motherboard and whole bunch of other electronics that will be a nightmare in the long run?

A lot of those board problems are simply bad solder joints. Easy DIY fix for the most part. 30 min with a soldering iron and a couple pennies worth of solder and done.

You probably think carbs on cars are vastly superior to EFI also don't you

 

[Vdubchaos]

A lot of those board problems are simply bad solder joints. Easy DIY fix for the most part. 30 min with a soldering iron and a couple pennies worth of solder and done.

Not from the research I've done on repair appliance forums. Heck my neighbor is on his 3rd motherboard.....

You probably think carbs on cars are vastly superior to EFI also don't you

I don't

But Injectors > Direct injection

 

[JulesMaximus]

It has cost me a grand total of $40 bucks to fix my washer and dryer over past 15+ years.

Parts for this old technology are DIRT CHEAP.

High Efficiency is just another way to get you to dump your money on a new, expensive and overly complex piece of equipment.

So you got the top loader with motherboard and whole bunch of other electronics that will be a nightmare in the long run?

I don't really care to spend the time to take apart my appliances and source parts when they break. I read good reviews about the LG so that is what we ended up buying.

$600 for a new washer every 10-15 years is chump change. It will probably pay for itself in lower energy and water bills in less than half that time anyway.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I don't really care to spend the time to take apart my appliances and source parts when they break. I read good reviews about the LG so that is what we ended up buying.

LG ehh? Funny you say that, I stay away from ANY LG appliances. My last LG appliance experience was replacing Dishwasher motor. POS had a bearing welded on the motor shaft (thx for that LG), and seal was clearly designed to fail/leak and make the bearing fail. Mind you, the unit was a Kenmore but used LG parts. And no, you can't replace the bearing, you have to buy a whole new motor which costs 1/2 the price of the new dishwasher.

Come back and talk to me in 5-10 years. Just to have someone to come out to check what's wrong = $100-150

I will let the time do the talking....

$600 for a new washer every 10-15 years is chump change. It will probably pay for itself in lower energy and water bills in less than half that time anyway.

You are pulling your efficiency saving straight out of......companies marketing books.

I'm using 30 year old technology and our washer runs 10-15 times a week. I'm paying 50 bucks a month for water.......that's with radiant heat and 6 people taking showers each and every day.....

There is NOT much saving to be had here. And no it will not pay for itself.....ok fine, in 100 years, but by that time it will be in the landfill.

It's kind of like the "95% boiler efficiency BS" that's going around now days. You save VERY little over 80% and your reliability goes down as now you have to have extra parts and complexity within the unit.

It's pretty simple really. More complex and more moving parts, higher chances of it breaking.

To me, less is more. Keep it simple and get the most proven technology out there.

Front loader Washer Machines and Dryers are simply not there.

 

[Capt Caveman]

LG ehh?

Come back and talk to me in 5-10 years. Just to have someone to come out to check what's wrong = $100-150

I will let the time do the talking....



You are pulling your efficiency saving straight out of......companies marketing books.

I'm using 30 year old technology and our washer runs 10-15 times a week. I'm paying 50 bucks a month for water.......that's with radiant heat and 6 people taking showers each and every day.....

There is NOT much saving to be had here. And no it will not pay for itself.....ok fine, in 100 years, but by that time it will be in the landfill.

It's kind of like the "95% boiler efficiency BS" that's going around now days. You save VERY little over 80% and your reliability goes down as now you have to have extra parts and complexity within the unit.

It's pretty simple really. More complex, higher chances of it breaking.

You're so full of shit, it's not even funny. $50/month for water based on your usage, sure. :biggrin: And yes, my LG is going on ten years with zero issues. Using 1/3 of the water per wash and 1/2 the electricity, it was well worth the cost.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I'm not understanding the logic of coming into this thread and NOT helping the OP with what they are asking for help on. Vdubchaos , should you be fixing something instead of talking someone out of a purchase they want to make?

 

[JulesMaximus]

LG ehh? Funny you say that, I stay away from ANY LG appliances. My last LG appliance experience was replacing Dishwasher motor. POS had a bearing welded on the motor shaft (thx for that LG), and seal was clearly designed to fail/leak and make the bearing fail. Mind you, the unit was a Kenmore but used LG parts. And no, you can't replace the bearing, you have to buy a whole new motor which costs 1/2 the price of the new dishwasher.

Come back and talk to me in 5-10 years. Just to have someone to come out to check what's wrong = $100-150

I will let the time do the talking....

I didn't buy an LG dishwasher. I bought an LG washing machine... and it has a 10 year warranty on the motor. Just an FYI. ^_^

 

[DT4K]

I bought a Samsung top load HE about a year ago and can't say enough good things about it.

We also bought one of these about a year ago and it's worked great. We are a family of 7, so we do a load of laundry pretty much every day.

Someone said it must use more water because it doesn't have the ability to roll the clothes in a small amount of water. I haven't measured the amount of water, but it does in fact roll the clothes in the water. The way the water moves when it agitates, it pushes everything up on the outside of the circle and pulls it down in the middle. You can especially see this when you are washing sheets. When it's done, it looks like a big donut.

 

[DT4K]

From what I've read before, I believe front load ones don't have as many balance issues top load ones have. Other then that, I think top loaders are more reliable.

This is the only complaint I have about the top load. It's a PITA to do things like blankets or sleeping bags because it gets off balance very easily.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

An appliance repairman friend of mine highly advised against front load, claims they are prone to leaking and when they do it isnt pretty.

 

[Vdubchaos]

An appliance repairman friend of mine highly advised against front load, claims they are prone to leaking and when they do it isnt pretty.

I know few people in appliance repair as well and most of what I said in this thread is based on their experience (and some of people I know)

Mind you, most won't mind and will recommend them as it's their job security/keeps them employed.

On a personal level though, they will tell you how it is.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Well according to you my front loader should have been dead a long time ago. It still works fine. No leaks, no malfunctions.

Front loaders may be more prone to issue over all, but it isn't like the majority are going to implode like you seem to be insisting on.

You have your opinion and that's fine, but people don't have to agree with you. Why are you beating the horse so bad? Unless you're just bored or something.