Washing Machine

[thebigdude]

I need to get a top loading washing machine in the next couple of days and was wondering if anyone knew anything regarding the quality of the various brands. (e.g. Whirlpools are good while GEs are bad.)

Thanks for the help.

 

[MrBond]

Avoid GE appliances. Whirlpool and Kenmore are the same thing, so buy whatever is cheaper. I've always been happy with Kenmore.

Edit: You may be able to swing a pretty good deal on a major appliance this time of year. People don't typically make big purchases around the holidays (unless they're gifts, obviously) so commission sales guys (ie: Sears) are probably more willing to deal just to make a sale.

 

[episodic]

i got the cheapest non-name sears model there was. . . a roper I think - it has ran for 10 years like a top

 

[amdskip]

I'm happy with my Kenmore appliances. Look for at least 15-20% off.

 

[secretanchitman]

kenmore is great...so is asko.

 

[sdifox]

Maytag Commercial. Virtually indestructible.

 

[Ionizer86]

A few year old used appliances off Craigslist. You'll save a lot, and if you're only buying something that's been used a little bit, the quality will still be great. We got a digital dryer (4 year old) and big 2 cycle Kenmore washer (7 year old) for about $200 on Craigslist.

 

[bctbct]

You may be better off repairing your old one depending on whats wrong with it.

New applainces suck.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: bctbct
You may be better off repairing your old one depending on whats wrong with it.

New applainces suck.

Not true at all. My electric/gas bills have dropped significantly since replacing my appliances. My new aasher uses something like 30 less gallons per wash. That's pretty significant.

 

[thebigdude]

Originally posted by: bctbct
You may be better off repairing your old one depending on whats wrong with it.

New applainces suck.

The old one is not worth fixing, otherwise that would definitely be the way to go. It was made in 86 (it was a freebie from a family member) and started leaking like crazy today. I took it apart and the drum has a rusty hole in it. Apparently there had been a small leak for a while because the entire inside of the machine (not where you put the clothes but the internals underneath) was covered in mold. I am looking forward to getting it out of my apartment.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: Ionizer86
A few year old used appliances off Craigslist. You'll save a lot, and if you're only buying something that's been used a little bit, the quality will still be great. We got a digital dryer (4 year old) and big 2 cycle Kenmore washer (7 year old) for about $200 on Craigslist.

I don't think my Kenmore washer was more than $350 and it wasn't their cheapest model. Sears has their appliances are on sale right now, they have a Kenmore Super Capacity that looks like mine for $360.

 

[sao123]

maytag.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: bctbct
You may be better off repairing your old one depending on whats wrong with it.

New applainces suck.

truth for top loading washing machines.

new EPA "green" rules say less water per washing cycle. so clothes come out dirtier than the washing machines built 10yrs ago because of less water used to rinse.

front loaders are where it's at, but costs $$$. (fropnt loaders use like 1/3 the water of top loaders, thus more than satisfy epa regs. and they clean the same, if not better than the old top loaders. tech advances FTW!)

if u dont have the $, buy the cheapest top loaders @ sears (~$250).

hey, wasnt there a washing machine thread last week???

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: bctbct
You may be better off repairing your old one depending on whats wrong with it.

New applainces suck.

truth for top loading washing machines.

new EPA "green" rules say less water per washing cycle. so clothes come out dirtier than the washing machines built 10yrs ago because of less water used to rinse.

That really depends on the washer and what you are washing. The overwhelming majority of people are washing clothes that are not very dirty at all. The only time you might really notice anything is if you wash heavily soiled (as in farm clothes) on a regular basis.

 

[Capt Caveman]

After owning a front loader, I could never go back to a top loader.

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
After owning a front loader, I could never go back to a top loader.

What's the big difference? The way the clothes are agitated?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
After owning a front loader, I could never go back to a top loader.

What's the big difference? The way the clothes are agitated?

More environmentally friendly
Does a better job cleaning
More delicate to clothes, clothes don't get snagged/twisted around the agitator
Clothes come out dryer, so I can hang-dry a lot of stuff and don't need to throw them in the dryer
Quieter (my washer/dryer are located in my bedroom)

 

[BUTCH1]

Originally posted by: episodic
i got the cheapest non-name sears model there was. . . a roper I think - it has ran for 10 years like a top

I've still got a Roper, at least 10 yrs old, not a single problem. I was told these
are made by whirlpool..

 

[compman25]

We have a Fisher Paykel that works great.

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
After owning a front loader, I could never go back to a top loader.

What's the big difference? The way the clothes are agitated?

More environmentally friendly
Does a better job cleaning
More delicate to clothes, clothes don't get snagged/twisted around the agitator
Clothes come out dryer, so I can hang-dry a lot of stuff and don't need to throw them in the dryer
Quieter (my washer/dryer are located in my bedroom)

With that many positives over top loading it sounds like they should be standard. Is there some big drawback or something? More expensive or leak prone or something?

 

[Slew Foot]

Ropers are made by whirlpool, theyre pretty good

 

[thebigdude]

I would get a front loader but currently live in a small apartment and it would not fit. That is why the top loaders are the only ones I am really looking at.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
After owning a front loader, I could never go back to a top loader.

What's the big difference? The way the clothes are agitated?

More environmentally friendly
Does a better job cleaning
More delicate to clothes, clothes don't get snagged/twisted around the agitator
Clothes come out dryer, so I can hang-dry a lot of stuff and don't need to throw them in the dryer
Quieter (my washer/dryer are located in my bedroom)

With that many positives over top loading it sounds like they should be standard. Is there some big drawback or something? More expensive or leak prone or something?

The expense, special detergent is required.

 

[Analog]

Don't get a Maytag.

 

[BUTCH1]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
After owning a front loader, I could never go back to a top loader.

What's the big difference? The way the clothes are agitated?

More environmentally friendly
Does a better job cleaning
More delicate to clothes, clothes don't get snagged/twisted around the agitator
Clothes come out dryer, so I can hang-dry a lot of stuff and don't need to throw them in the dryer
Quieter (my washer/dryer are located in my bedroom)

With that many positives over top loading it sounds like they should be standard. Is there some big drawback or something? More expensive or leak prone or something?

The expense, special detergent is required.

I've never seen "front loader detergent", at least around here anyway..