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what to look for in a fridge, washer, and dryer?

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fridge: HE, I like the french door models, though the door seal mech in the center seems like it could give one issues. freezer on the bottom is nice too. much easier to access everything. skip the door water and ice.

washer: I have not had any problems with my front load, just leave the door open all the time. I think the front load gets stuff just as clean, and I can fit more in it than a top load.

dryer: I spent $50 and could not really be happier, it has 3 temp settings and drys my clothes.
 
We just replaced all our appliances due to the old ones being sold with our old house.

We bought front loader washer/dryer combo. Damned things work like a dream and better than the last front loader we owned, although that one was almost 10 years old, so not surprised by that.

And despite claims otherwise by some here, front loaders do clean better than top loaders. This has been demonstrated by real testing.

True, front loaders can develop mildew, but that's a function of the sealing the door has. Combat that by leaving it cracked open or run Affresh every month or so through it. Some will state it's from the residual water left in the washer after it cycles, but there's residual water left in every washer.

Refrigerator was a top fridge, bottom freezer style, the "old" style, not the French door style. Wife hated the center strip/flap on them.

As for brand, we bought almost all Whirlpool, outside the Samsung convection smooth top range we bought. Why Whirlpool and not Samsung or LG, the other two "good" brands these days?

We eschewed both Samsung and LG because both brands still haven't developed the infrastructure for service that Whirlpool has. Read waaaay too many complaints about a dryer, washer, fridge by Samsung/LG breaking down and no trained service techs were quickly available while Whirlpool has a vast network of trained techs....not to mention the parts aren't too widespread in availability, either.

Maybe in 10 years Samsung and LG will have as deep and broad repair service like the older "American" brands currently have and then I'll consider buying one. Until then, Whirlpool, which is considered one of the most reliable names in the business.
 
Regardless of brand, look for Whirlpool as the manufacturer.

A $3000 refrigerator cools no better and is no more convenient than a $1000 one.
 
Meghan54 said:
And despite claims otherwise by some here, front loaders do clean better than top loaders. This has been demonstrated by real testing.
Click to expand...

I'll stick to my 3 years of real testing using a front loader. GE Profile. Never really got clothes cleaned or rinsed properly. Vast difference in the first load using this http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SpecPage&Sku=GTWS8655DMC It's a decent washer, though...I'll never buy another GE laundry appliance.

Top loaders are the way to go.
 
bryanl said:
Regardless of brand, look for Whirlpool as the manufacturer.

A $3000 refrigerator cools no better and is no more convenient than a $1000 one.
Click to expand...

Impossible to disagree. My GE Profiles retailed at some dumb price of $1300 per unit. I got the pair + two pedestals new for $1600. GE replaced them both out of warranty and gave me a retail $1300 washer...same price for the dryer.

My next house will get base model Whirlpools.
 
I'm looking for the same things as the OP. Is it worth getting the extended warranties that Lowes or Home Depot offer?
 
'What to look for' would be 'who actually makes it, and did they do it worth a damn?'

E.g. avoid LG like a plague, but don't assume it's not LG because it's not branded as such.

Also, frustratingly enough, it goes both ways. Yeah, Whirlpool generally makes decent appliances. Whirlpool is also the manufacturer for other brands.

...and sometimes things with 'Whirlpool' on them...are made by other manufacturers.
 
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phucheneh said:
'What to look for' would be 'who actually makes it, and did they do it worth a damn?'

E.g. avoid LG like a plague, but don't assume it's not LG because it's not branded as such.

Also, frustratingly enough, it goes both ways. Yeah, Whirlpool generally makes decent appliances. Whirlpool is also the manufacturer for other brands.

...and sometimes things with 'Whirlpool' on them...are made by other manufacturers.
Click to expand...

Whirlpool has tons of brands in it's product family... Canadian site:
http://www.whirlpoolcanada.com/en/Page/Our_Brands.html

FWIW I absolutely love my HE LG top loading washer. Thing works amazing with zero drama.
 
Am I sexist if I post this in response to OP's question?

image deleted

I keed, of course.

My personal view on washers is to avoid the front loaders until they actually address the mold issues with the main gasket. I have an HE top loader and it works as well as a front loader, and has higher capacity.

EDIT - Sorry for the NSFW pic and if I happened to offend anyone.
 
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highland145 said:
The less electronics the better. imo. Parent's high dollar double door/freezer on the bottom samsung bit it the other week. Circuit board went...3 years old. The new board will be in..... 5-17.

Good luck finding a quality one that's not full of electronics. Post links if you do, please.
Click to expand...

Easy, SMEG fridges.

image.axd
 
SMEG - By far the best brand for a fridge if you don't want any fancy technical gizmo's with it.

Miele - By far the best for washing machines / driers.
 
JimKiler said:
But if you buy front loader you are going to get the mold and odor that causes unless you use clean it weekly.
Click to expand...

As someone that has used several different brands/models of front loaders and know lots of people with them, nobody I know has had mold problems.

That doesn't mean there is no room for common sense either. After a wash, I always leave the door slightly ajar to provide for some air circulation and means for the excess moisture to leave.
 
Tsavo said:
I'll stick to my 3 years of real testing using a front loader. GE Profile. Never really got clothes cleaned or rinsed properly. Vast difference in the first load using this http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SpecPage&Sku=GTWS8655DMC It's a decent washer, though...I'll never buy another GE laundry appliance.

Top loaders are the way to go.
Click to expand...

I will second the top loader vote. Also, I have not had good experiences with High Efficiency models. They are nice and shiny, but haven't performed well for me.

Right now I am using a basic top-load washer with liquid detergent & softener (not powder detergent) and a front-load dryer with dryer sheets. Works awesome. Zero issues.
 
NetWareHead said:
As someone that has used several different brands/models of front loaders and know lots of people with them, nobody I know has had mold problems.

That doesn't mean there is no room for common sense either. After a wash, I always leave the door slightly ajar to provide for some air circulation and means for the excess moisture to leave.
Click to expand...

That's what my in-laws do with theirs - leave the front door of their HE washer open. Otherwise it gets a funky smell.
 
Thanks everyone for their input.
Update: parents decided to go with this Samsung fridge: http://www.frys.com/product/6285560?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

It was on sale for $2,299 and they just couldn't resist the deal plus my mom loved the fact that the middle drawer can be configured to be either a freezer or fridge. Focusing on washer and dryer now, I think we've ruled out front loaders at this point. And dryer has to be electric.
 
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