| Author | Content |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
September 21, 2006 2:51 AM Post #2744326
| Sorry I haven't waded through this forum.
I just arrived at our CA house last night and find that my 13 year old Whirlpool washer and drying are on their last legs. I have no idea what to replace it with so any input will help. I am only here a week so need to make a decision soon. It is in the garage so size is not a problem. My daughter lives in this house alone so it doesn't have a big load on it. If we were to move back to CA it would just be my husband and me.
Just would like something efficient and problem free.
Thank you in advance for any advice
a |
EileenAZ
Tucson, AZ (Zone 9a)
September 30, 2006 3:41 PM Post #2772564
| You may not need something this large, but I'm SO happy with my Kenmore front loaders. They're both on pedestals and it makes far more difference than you 'd think. I got the full-sized ones, but since then they've made models of various sizes. You save on water and electricity, and in my opinion it's much easier on clothes. In fact, if I run a load in the dryer for several hours on no heat, they dry anyway- very handy for delicates. LG and Whirlpool make similar lines. |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
October 1, 2006 11:31 AM Post #2774881
| I read that the front loaders are the best. Now I am hearing about an LG that uses steam. Do you know anything about that? Interesting . . . |
Ticker
Lisbon, IA (Zone 5a)
October 5, 2006 7:23 PM Post #2788731
| Arlene, I have the LG front loaders, but not the steam ones. I love my LG's they make doing laundry actually fun. ;) I was in sticker shock with the price of the ones I got, and so I didn't want to put another $500 or so into it for steam... I think steam would be nice for sweaters and such, tho... But, I can buy one of those hand held steamers for a lot less than $500.00. :)
Diann
|
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
October 6, 2006 9:29 PM Post #2792021
| Wow! That is a bit pricy. As it turns out, I bough some time by having a coupler replaced. So that gives me some breathing room to shop. It will happen eventually but not as soon as I had thought. Yay! I'll be much better prepared the next time it quits.
Thanks for your input! |
gardenwife
Newark, OH (Zone 5b)
December 28, 2006 12:38 PM Post #3030316
| I second about front-loaders. They use far less water than an upright and they clean just as well. We love our Frigidaire.
Beware the Neptunes: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/maytag_wash.html
|
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
December 30, 2006 6:53 PM Post #3036824
| Thanks GW. I have been looking at the LG a lot. So far a simple repair has kept things running but it is only a matter of time.
Right now the forefront has been taken by a leaky dishwasher; had Sears out because it had gotten noisy. Repairman said the motor was going out but he had one in his truck if we wanted him to replace it. I said OK. Then he comes back and says the one he has doesn't fit. He wanted to leave it torn apart for 4-5 days until the new one was available. I said OK. My daughter says, " He should put it back together; we need it during those 4-5 days". I came back and told him to put it back together (attitude starts forming). I went in the back room and told my daughter about the big "A" and said," I think I will go out and tell him not to order the new motor and we will just let it run until it dies and then buy a new D/W"
Well it has been leaking ever since. I need to take this up with Sears! |
gardenwife
Newark, OH (Zone 5b)
December 30, 2006 9:10 PM Post #3037110
| Yes, you sure do need to take it up with Sears. If the local managers won't take care of the problem, go up the food chain. Hope they take care of it soon for you. |
jkom51
Oakland, CA (Zone 9b)
January 6, 2007 5:11 PM Post #3058904
| Some things to consider when buying new appliances:
Sears outsourced their service arm in conjunction with Whirlpool. A&E now handles the majority of their US service repairs. They have gotten VERY uneven in the quality of their service. Complaining to Sears (or Whirlpool) will avail you very little. They don't own the service company and therefore their in-house customer service reps have very little "pull" to help you. In some areas A&E picked up many of the Sears and Whirlpool techs so they are able to provide decent tech repairmen, but in other areas you may be better off with an independent repair service facility.
LG is the old Lucky-Goldstar Corp. Remember them? They had to change their name because their products were mediocre and their service was worse. They regrouped, changed their focus to the mid-market instead of the budget-conscious; added a bunch of flashy designs, and are selling like hotcakes. The downside is that the service coverage in the US is still VERY spotty -- they are not the only Korean mfg with this problem, BTW -- so make sure you find out if local service is available and if it is good quality.
There are very few washers and dryers made to the old standards of lasting 20 years without a repair. Maytag is universally acknowledged as having gone way, way downhill in recent years. "Workhorse" washers include Staber and Speed Queen. The high-end washer list is usually led by Miele, Fisher Paykel, and some of the US mfg higher-end models. |
gardenwife
Newark, OH (Zone 5b)
January 6, 2007 5:30 PM Post #3058957
| I remember Goldstar electronics -- yuck. Thanks for the repair info. |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
January 7, 2007 11:23 AM Post #3061208
| Seeing as I will be doing a face off with Sears when I get to CA on the 15th over the leaky dishwasher, I am so happy to get the info on LG for the clothes washer. After replacement of a thermo coupler the clothes washer is still running so i will put that on the back burner until we get the dishwasher resolved.
I detest confrontations and considered just getting a new D/W and washing my hands of Sears but something in my heart just won't let it go without sounding off to them about the damage that D/W leak has done to the base of my new cabinets.
I was so angry at Christmas when I was there and saw the damage it would have ruined the holidays for me to call at that time. I will be there again in one week and must deal with it then. In the past when I have taken up the cross over the issue I have learned that the time invest (telephone calls, small claims court) is not really worth it. Sometimes it eliminates the stress in one's life to just walk away and swallow it. I don't think this will be one of those times for me. |
FamilyGirl12
Oshkosh, WI
January 11, 2007 8:44 PM Post #3074970
| We bought the Summit Washer Dryer Unit. We love it! It's small and compact, and takes up MUCH less space than having seperate washer and dryer. It's a front-loader, too, which I prefer over the top loaders. I bought ours from Living in Comfort. This is the website of where to find one: http://www.livingincomfort.com/sucowadrunsp.html I highly recommend it! |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
January 12, 2007 3:49 PM Post #3076905
| That is pretty interesting; thank-you for the link, familygirl. |
zoecassie
Plymouth, MI
January 12, 2007 6:41 PM Post #3077310
| We bought a LG washer and dryer from Home Depot last June. We are having service come to work on the dryer (for the second time) next week. (Although LG does have good service coverage in this area, I live in fear that our one year warrenty coverage is coming to an end). The dryer put small black marks on our clothing as soon as we started using it-repairman said that machines sit in storage after being shipped from Korea, the rollers start to disintegrate from non-usage, and it deposits black, hard to remove marks. He replaced the rollers and seal and all was well until this week, when the marks have returned. LG is very good about Okaying repair service, but still... Also, would like to make you aware of some issues with front-loaders that I was unaware of: Mold will form on just about every front loader washing machine's rubber seals. Repairman told me to run a hot water and bleach cycle,wipe moisture off the rubber seal and glass door, and leave the door open when not in use. Also, he said to only use 2T of HE detergent for washing a load-something that the manual doesn't mention. Evidently soap=mold. BUT I love how water and energy efficient the machine is, and it does do a good job on our wash (when it's not depositing black marks!) |
gardenwife
Newark, OH (Zone 5b)
January 12, 2007 7:58 PM Post #3077514
| Bummer! How much is a repair visit normally? You might do well to pick up an extended warranty through LG if they offer one. I know when some of our appliances have neared the end of their standard factory warranty, we've received noticed from the companies about extending them.
I wonder if the 2TBSP of HE soap applies to all front-loaders. So far, we've not had any problems and we've had our Frigidaire since 2003 or so, after we redid the basement. |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
January 13, 2007 1:09 PM Post #3079264
| This info is good; makes me reluctant to switch to a front loader . . energy efficient or no |
gardenwife
Newark, OH (Zone 5b)
January 13, 2007 4:54 PM Post #3079875
| I suppose it all depends on the brand, who's currently manufacturing that brand, and the track record. We've had no problems at all with ours - it works great. |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
January 13, 2007 7:54 PM Post #3080354
| Maybe I need a crystal ball . . . . . LOL |
gardenwife
Newark, OH (Zone 5b)
January 13, 2007 8:58 PM Post #3080546
| Even top-loaders have their issues. They're major purchases and we can drive ourselves nuts reading all the reviews, researching brands, etc.
Shoot, I did that when shopping for a good vacuum cleaner under my $200 budget. Wouldn't you know I finally wandered into a long-standing mom & pop vacuum store and, because my mind was so oversaturated from my research, bought one that's a totally different brand than anything I'd so carefully researched. Fuller makes canister vacuums? Well, I'll be. Sold. Ay-yi-yi. It works okay, but I kinda wish I'd gone with the Hoover Windtunnel that got good reviews. It's a moot point now, though! ;)
This message was edited Jan 13, 2007 4:58 PM |
nannybee
Boone, IA
January 13, 2007 9:18 PM Post #3080634
| I've got a Frigidaire front loader and couldn't be happier. We had a Neptune washer but wanted a counter top over the washer and dryer in our new place so had to buy something new. We liked the Neptune but did have problems with mildew on the gasket around the door. But I gave it to my sister and she's been using it and has learned to live with the mildew (it doesn't stain her clothes or cause problems, it just looks ugly) and is very pleased with it. I love my Frigidaire washer and dryer. If you want a built-in there aren't a whole lot of choices and the Frigidaire was the cheapest. I figured with just the two of us we didn't need anything heavy duty and went with the most economical choice. The advantage of front loaders is they use a lot less water, which for us was an advantage as we have a septic system. You also can use 1/2 the amount of detergent with the same results. But the best thing is they are gentler to the laundry and the laundry comes out so much drier than with a top loader. And my queen size comforter can be washed at home instead of a trip to the laundromat.
Ours is a built-in which means we have a Formica top over the set. We have another counter in the laundry room but the counter over the washer and dryer is separate and can be lifted off easily is repairs need to be made. It is so handy to have a nice surface to put laundry on when a load is finished.
Hope this helps.
Nancy
|
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
January 14, 2007 5:33 AM Post #3082185
| Good input, Nancy. I never thought about how nice it would be to have a counter built over the top . . . another advantage of front load. Can you post a picture?
Know what you mean, GW. DH subscribes to consumer reports which we read cover to cover . . and still many times we don't buy what they suggest. Also listen to Clark Howard a lot and he gives some good consumer tips.
I seem to be technology challenged . . . everything I buy has something go wrong with it . . . straight from the store . . . replacements at least one or two times. We once went to buy a TV at a Home Depot and I said to DH . . "You decide which box to pick up because if I do it . . it will be the one that doesn't work" He did and it was never a problem item. I seem to be jinxed. LOL I am so used to it I warn sales people in advance.
That is why I am so cautious about purchases. |
linadra
Fremont, CA
February 11, 2007 11:08 PM Post #3179462
| I'm enjoying the forum as I need to purchase a stackable washer and dryer. I have a Maytag Neptune frontloader with a moldy gasket-so I would never purchase another of those, altho it does clean very well, but some clothes smell moldy. The dryer works great. I've seen the Samsung Silver Care at homecenters. Has anyone used one of these? The idea is intriguing: sanitizing in cold water with silver ions-but does it work? |
gardenwife
Newark, OH (Zone 5b)
February 12, 2007 12:56 AM Post #3179928
| I'd not heard about the Samsung model. I'm skeptical about it, wouldn't get one unless it had been out for quite some time and tested.
Here's a few articles concerning its technology:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/01/every_dirty_loa.php
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/01/beware_the_silv.php (update to the first link)
http://www.pesticide.net/insider/articles/200607180314/06-Wa...
Consumer Report's initial review:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/washing-machin...
|
srtech
Cypress, TX
June 6, 2007 9:36 AM Post #3581356
| No samsung no !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everytime I order a part I have to order the part again and again. Its to hard to get parts average. One of my retail cust. is still waiting on the part I ship direct from the manufacture emergency ordered in Feb. Lets maybe today. Nope What is today 6/6/07 this machine has 2 inchs of dust. |
gardenwife
Newark, OH (Zone 5b)
June 7, 2007 1:08 AM Post #3584557
| Good to know, srtech! When a sales or repair person sees issue pop up repeatedly, it's telling. |
wickerparker
Chicago, IL (Zone 5b)
June 19, 2007 7:48 PM Post #3634311
| we're in the market, urgently, for a front loading washer -- has anyone here got a Bosch? Consumer Reports rates their Nexxt 500 series washers highly, and they seem to be spoken well of on other websites, or so I've gathered from the very quick research I've done. Thanks! |
kyjoy
Frankfort, KY
June 27, 2007 6:40 PM Post #3665989
| Kenmore appliances are outsourced by Sears. Usually the contract changes every five years. When purchasing one, ask who makes it for them. Sounds like it might be Whirlpool from the responses here. I know one thing, I'm over Maytag. These appliances don't live up to their reputation since Whirlpool bought them out. I've had problems with every Maytag appliance I've purchased in the last five years. Also, my warranty would only pay me $150 for the food lost. It was chock full!
This message was edited Jun 28, 2007 11:12 AM |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
June 27, 2007 10:38 PM Post #3666950
| My Whirlpool
in two houses. .
2 washers
2 dryers
2 refrigerators
have been trouble free for 15 years. Don't know if they are making them cheaper now days. |
gardenwife
Newark, OH (Zone 5b)
June 28, 2007 12:35 PM Post #3668977
| They probably are making them cheaper - seems like most companies are anymore. :S They're sold, re-sold, etc. and the old consistency in branding is lacking.
We've been very pleased with our Frigidaire front-loader, bought in about 2004 or 2005. It has manual dials instead of a digital display, but that also means there's no fancy circuit boards to go out. It might lack all the bells and whistles of the premium machines, but it gets our clothes and blankets clean and doesn't get moldy inside. |
magnolialover
Southern, WI (Zone 5a)
June 28, 2007 12:47 PM Post #3669019
| My favorite is the Fisher & Paykel. We have both the washer and the dryer, TwinLakes. We had a whirlpool washer and dryer that lasted 7 years. That's how most things are made these days. Whirlpool has replaced stainless steel tubs, with plastic. What I have learned, is that you certainly get what you pay for. Our Fisher & Paykel washer and dryer are Energy Star (so the FEDS give you a tax credit for buying it), uses so much LESS water and you need a half hour or less dry time (that's on the low setting that we use) because of how dry the clothes are spun. Amazing. It's a top loader and is wonderful. There aren 't too many home items I get all excited about, but this is one of the few ;0) It has a stainless steel tub and is built like a rock.
Woudln't buy anything else but this or an upper end MayTag. Oh yes, you'll also notice that a lot of the models are now built in China too. Fisher Paykel is built in either Canda or New Zealand. |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
June 28, 2007 2:59 PM Post #3669556
| I must admit that the washer here at the lake doesn't do a good job of spinning the water out of the clothes. I just turn it back to the spin cycle and spin it again. I'm so used to doing that . . . forgot that I even do. If they are not going in the dryer . . . then I don't care how wet they are because they will be dried on the clothes line outside.
So that would have to be the one Negative on my old Whirlpool.
My daughter called me from the CA house one week ago; The refrig was not cooling. I thought back . . . bought that refrig in 2003 . . . good grief . . . maybe I didn't take an extended warranty . . . and if I did maybe it was for only 3 years.
She called Sears and they told her it was under warranty. Repairman came right out, said it would have cost us $600 to fix it and we would receive $200 for lost food (which there wasn't $200 worth of food in the refrig).
Tanya called me yesterday and said they had to back order a part - 2 weeks! She called back and said that it was not acceptable as she has an injectible medication for her skin condition that has to be refrigerated and they are going through bags of ice like crazy. She felt the woman was very rude to her but she finally told her that the extended warranty covers rental of a refrigerator.
DUH! Someone should have told her sooner . . . they have been eating fast food for a week.
This still begs the question . . are extended warranties worth it. I would venture to guess that if I added up all the $$ I have put out on extended warranties . . it's probably not a winning deal. If I had to pay that $600 repair bill I probably would just go out and buy a new refrig.
For me . . . it psychological. When something breaks . . it's upsetting . . inconvenient . . and what if it hits when you don't have the extra money for the repair . . . more upset. Also, my daughter is 1800 miles from me and when these things happen . . it's good for her to know immediately where she can call locally instead of calling me and dumping the job on me long distance.
I never have "little" things go wrong . . they are usually major. |
claypa
West Pottsgrove, PA (Zone 6b)
June 28, 2007 3:04 PM Post #3669583
| TwinLakesChef, it's very common for an object to get caught in the drain hose and keep the water from spinning out properly. It might be worth checking. |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
June 28, 2007 3:11 PM Post #3669612
| That suggestion will go on the "Honey-Do" list. He loves taking things like that apart.
Thanks! |
lovelylilyone
North Tonawanda, NY
June 30, 2007 11:48 AM Post #3678488
| Re: front loader washers. I have a Maytag that I purchased in 2005. Worst investment I ever made!!! I've always had a Maytag washer and dryer and when my last set was starting to go there was no question - I would get another Maytag. Oh, what a mistake! I purchased the Neptune front loader for big bucks. The machine DOES NOT get clothes clean. I've started to add the bleach at the start of the cycle and I no longer use the HE detergent. When you think about it, just dropping the clothes upon themselves with no agitation...I am very disappointed in this appliance.
I also purchased a new dryer at the time. We have two long-haired cats. The clothes come out of the dryer with balls of cat hair on all of the clothes. I've tried different softeners with no success. Didn't have this problem with my old dryer. After calling Maytag and emailing them on three separate occasions, I received what amounted to a pat on the head. "We're sorry that you are not happy yada, yada, yada." I will never purchase another Maytag appliance again! |
lindagarden
Gilbert, AZ
July 17, 2007 6:31 PM Post #3746957
| A repair man recommeded the Whirpool 800 series to me. He said they were the best buy and the least problems of any current washer and dryer he has worked on. When I went to Sears they didn't call it by that number so now I don't know which one it is. Does anyone else kno?.
My daughter has the front loading. It would not suit my washing style because I like to soak the whites overnight and I am always adding something to a soaking load. So I am going with the top loader. Keep the suggestions coming. And if anyone knows about that 800 thing please d-mail me.
Thanks
Have a good day |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
July 17, 2007 7:24 PM Post #3747158
| http://www.whirlpool.com/catalog/category.jsp?N=200000117&ca...
This shows all the Whirlpool top loaders and there doesn't seem to be any 800 associated with it. |
jkom51
Oakland, CA (Zone 9b)
July 19, 2007 6:07 PM Post #3755480
| We have the F&P top loading washer - don't buy the top load dryer, please! - and the washing machine is absolutely fabulous. In addition, F&P service is excellent; they use better quality vendors and support them well.
It replaced a trouble-free Sears Kenmore heavy-duty washer. The F&P is so much gentler on clothes, uses much less water and has a great auto-sensing water level to boot (no more guessing which level of fill to pick, just throw in whatever you have!), cleans better, and has a terrific spin. Also, we can't get over how little soap this machine uses. An average load uses less than 1/4 cup - they recommend power, BTW, saying it cleans better than liquid.
At first I was a little intimidated by the 47-pg instruction manual, but 90% of our loads are done on the default auto setting.
The only thing that's a little weird about it is that it has a curved lid. This may sound silly, but like most people I'm accustomed to placing dry laundry or soap boxes on top. On the F&P, they'll slide off if you're not looking, LOL!
I emphasize, this is a washing machine that cleans your clothes GENTLY. We're infamous for leaving kleenixes in our pockets. In the old Kenmore, I'd have little balls of shredded kleenixes all over the clothes (usually dark ones, of course).
With the F&P, the kleenix is left INTACT. Not a tear anywhere, not a fuzzball to be seen. I've accidentally run the washed kleenixes through the dryer - and they come out intact but fragile, you could actually use them again! Can't ask for more than that.
The F&P top loader dryer is a new technology and has a few bugs in it still, but it is very gentle and reverse tumbles every 45 seconds to reduce wrinkling. Because it works differently than any other dryer on the market, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it because it's a more complicated mechanism at a higher price than other dryers.
The frontload dryer is NOT an F&P, it is a rebadged GE and is known to be a reliable and decent dryer for the price. Dryers are a pretty basic tried and true design, so don't be afraid to mix and match brands to get the best price. |
kyjoy
Frankfort, KY
July 21, 2007 4:59 PM Post #3762468
| Ask Sears who is making their Kenmore Models this year and then go from there. They contract these out about every five years. |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
July 22, 2007 2:38 PM Post #3765081
| What does F&P stand for? |
gardenwife
Newark, OH (Zone 5b)
July 22, 2007 3:38 PM Post #3765353
| Fisher and Paykel?
http://www.epinions.com/search/mem_search_~0/search_vertical... |
lovelylilyone
North Tonawanda, NY
October 9, 2007 12:40 PM Post #4064449
| Had a very nice call from a reporter from the Wall Street Journal re: my unhappiness with my front loader Maytag. Of course nothing was resolved but it did make me feel better. Now, after about two and a half years, I have a $94.00 repair bill because the machine did not spin and the clothes were drenching wet! Oh how I dislike this Maytag!!!!!! Will never buy another Maytag appliance. Still does not get clothes as clean as my old machine did. New buyers - Beware. |
gardenwife
Newark, OH (Zone 5b)
October 9, 2007 8:33 PM Post #4065711
| Does anyone have one of those top-loaders that doesn't have an agitator in the middle? If so, which one and how do you like it? |
wgnkiwi
Burlingame, CA (Zone 9a)
October 19, 2007 5:48 AM Post #4099924
| No, but I can recommend the F&P Top loading washer and Dryer too. Love them both to death and swapped of my top-of-the-line Bosch front loading w&d for them. |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
October 19, 2007 12:52 PM Post #4100359
| Sorry to say, don't have any input for you as we never bought a new one. agonized over repair vs new and opted for repair only because I could not wrap my mind around all the decisions.
The good part is the repair was made 13 months ago and everything is working great on my VERY OLD Whirlpool set. |
lovelylilyone
North Tonawanda, NY
January 8, 2008 8:37 PM Post #4376380
| In October I needed a repairman because the front loader Maytag would not spin the clothes properly. Cost was almost 94.00. Here it is January, not even three months later and the same problem. I called for repairs and the serviceman was surprised to hear that I had the same problem. The service is reputable which is more than I can say for Maytag. The machine is not even three years old. New purchasers beware! |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
January 8, 2008 10:04 PM Post #4376770
| My mother-in-law bought top loading Maytag 10 years ago and no problems. But Maytag was bought out and the original plant here in Iowa was closed. Who knows what the quality is now. They are still producing under the Maytag name . . . Just finished reading the most recent Consumer's Report and they rate Maytag as one of the most repair-prone.
I have had Whirlpool for years with few problems by comparison to what I read about the new fancier ones and they are still very reasonably priced.
However I feel like my next one should be a front loader. |
flowAjen
central, NJ (Zone 6b)
February 20, 2011 1:10 PM Post #8382701
| I know this is an old thread but glad I found it, my washer just died, hubby says not worth the $ to fix it...
I would have like a froat loader but we also have a 1/2 bath in the same room and the door will hit the toilet.
So top load it is...just came back from Home Depot and Lowe's and the majority of the ones they carry are Whirlpool and Maytag, only 2 GE models that have the low water rinse which people are complaining about because it doesn't do a thorough rinse job, there are appliance stores near me that I need to visit tomorrow. I need to get this washer tomorrow because my son wears uniforms to school and I only have 2 more clean pants for him. |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
February 26, 2011 8:51 PM Post #8394831
| I've had Whirlpool for years, in both houses. |
flowAjen
central, NJ (Zone 6b)
February 26, 2011 9:04 PM Post #8394839
| Ended up gettting a Fisher and Paykel, and got a really great deal since my hubby had his fire dept shirt on |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
February 27, 2011 8:02 AM Post #8395321
| Hurray! Hope it turns out to be a good one. Please let us know.
I started this thread 4 years ago. Turns out, I was able to have the Whirlpool repaired and haven't had a problem since. Amazing that it is over 20 years old and is still going.
I suspect that if I bought Whirlpool today, it wouldn't be made as well. |
cathy166
Stamford, CT (Zone 6b)
February 27, 2011 2:00 PM Post #8395942
| Chef, our main business is appliance repair which we do when not gardening. If you treat the washer and dryer nicely and don't overload, it can last indefinitely. If the clutch goes, it is very repairable. However, if something like the timer should go, the replacement is probably not available. Your top-load wp washer uses much less water than the the newer washers. Legislation requires that appliances made today use less water. They are much more subject to malfunction. True even more of dishwashers.
Since the manufacturers cannot use as much water (or power for that matter), they are much less tolerant of food or buttons, golf tees, etc. The newer machines have less mechanics and more electronics , lots of flash and can have a lot of repair history and tales than you can imagine. And don'[t buy a top-load with front-load technology. Priceless advice. |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA (Zone 4b)
March 1, 2011 5:39 PM Post #8401115
| Thank you for telling me that. It is much appreciated. |
vossner
Richmond, TX (Zone 9a)
March 2, 2011 5:31 AM Post #8401892
| Washer overload: a term I have difficulty understanding. You've probably seen the commercials for a certain model that claim you can load up to 16 pairs of jeans. Well, if I put more than 4 jeans (plus some t-shirts) I feel like that is a full load and that if I add much more, it simply won't clean the stuff.
Cathy, in your biz experience, how do you define full load? |
cathy166
Stamford, CT (Zone 6b)
March 2, 2011 7:36 AM Post #8402091
| A full load is variable depending on the ability of the clothing to hold water. Therefore, if your load soaking wet is more than say 30-35 pounds, it's overloaded. You could fill that machine with twice the volume of synthetics, and it will never hold much water.
I've seen that ad - maybe 16 pairs of baby jeans, but not adult. Denim and cotton t-shirts hold a lot of water. You are smart to not overfill it. If the load goes off balance, reseat it immediately.
FYI, if you machine fills with water and you pull out the clothes and put them in a laundry basket and put the basket on a scale, you will be amazed at how much it weighs. If you are smart, don't put a pillow in a washer. It is cheaper to replace the pillow than the expense of the repair. You cannot believe what people put in washers. |
vossner
Richmond, TX (Zone 9a)
March 2, 2011 9:07 AM Post #8402210
| !!!! I have washed synthetic pillows in machine 'cause it said I could.
Thanks for the plain English explanation re: full load. After I posted, it ocurred to me they were talking about washing 16 children jeans. Those crooked ad agencies, lol. |
