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NFT: Washing Machine

xwreckingxcrewx : 8/4/2015 7:04 pm
There hasn't been a washing machine thread for a few months and mine just went. As this will be an unplanned expense I would like to keep the budget around $500-600 for a HE Top Loader. Will probably just go to home depot as I have old gift cards from past Father Day's, etc. kicking around.

Have looked at a Whirlpool Cabrio 7000 model (mid 500's) and 5000 model (on sale for under $500). A samsung 7000 in the low 600's, a Maytag I believe model 655 in the low 600's and an LG 1101, again, in the low 600's.

Anybody have one of these models or a better suggestion- i.e. stay away from any brand, etc. I just want to get this done, want a top loader with 4.0-5.0 cu and don't want to break the bank as I will probably add a corresponding dryer with the purchase and now wife says we should just get a new dishwasher too....

Thanks.
I have a Maytag top loader  
GentleGiant : 8/4/2015 7:40 pm : link
that is still running from 1996, if you want dependability try to find one of those, I think mine is going to run for another 20 years. If you want a newer model check consumer reports.
Link - ( New Window )
Kenmore  
Bill in Del : 8/4/2015 7:57 pm : link
I bought a Kenmore top load washer and dryer in 1990 when I bought my first house, I still use them today. Only thing I ever had to fix was the dryer belt needed replacing.

Oh and the Kenmore fridge I bought at the same time, I still use as my garage fridge.
RE: Kenmore  
Jim in Fairfax : 8/4/2015 8:29 pm : link
In comment 12402144 Bill in Del said:
Quote:
I bought a Kenmore top load washer and dryer in 1990 when I bought my first house, I still use them today. Only thing I ever had to fix was the dryer belt needed replacing.

Oh and the Kenmore fridge I bought at the same time, I still use as my garage fridge.

Kenmore is hit or miss. Understand that they don't manufacturer anything. All their appliances are manufactured by the other major brands and badged as Kenmores. Pretty much all manufacturers build Kenmores: Whirlpool, Maytag, Goldstar, samsung, etc.

Also, you're probably wasting huge amounts of electricity on that fridge. Modern fridges use much less power. Plus, using a regular fridge in a garage makes it even more inefficient. They make fridges especially for the garage.
RE: RE: Kenmore  
Bill in Del : 8/4/2015 11:40 pm : link
In comment 12402168 Jim in Fairfax said:
Quote:
In comment 12402144 Bill in Del said:


Quote:


I bought a Kenmore top load washer and dryer in 1990 when I bought my first house, I still use them today. Only thing I ever had to fix was the dryer belt needed replacing.

Oh and the Kenmore fridge I bought at the same time, I still use as my garage fridge.


Kenmore is hit or miss. Understand that they don't manufacturer anything. All their appliances are manufactured by the other major brands and badged as Kenmores. Pretty much all manufacturers build Kenmores: Whirlpool, Maytag, Goldstar, samsung, etc.

Also, you're probably wasting huge amounts of electricity on that fridge. Modern fridges use much less power. Plus, using a regular fridge in a garage makes it even more inefficient. They make fridges especially for the garage.



Probably true, I used to keep it packed with meats, frozen foods, beer and drinks. Now not so much anymore, actually was contemplating getting rid of it. But to it's credit, 25 years later and never had an issue with it.

I think it was made by whirlpool which is what my currentt appliances are and so far so good but time will tell.

the wife loves  
The 12th Man : 8/4/2015 11:45 pm : link
our LG
Just got a  
jv : 8/5/2015 8:15 am : link
high efficiency top loader LG and it's real nice. Top rated. Fewest repairs. LG as a brand is the way to go
Why do you want a top loader?  
BlueLou : 8/5/2015 8:19 am : link
Rather than a front loader which use far less water?
We had a front loader in our condo  
jv : 8/5/2015 8:24 am : link
prior to buying our house and the thing was fucking awful. Thing would get all moldy and have to be cleaned. Drum liner would wear out and get full of mold. I'd never buy one again.

You don't have those problems with a high efficiency top loader and it's still uses less water than your traditional top loader. There's no agitator in it so you larger loads fit in them just like front loaders.

To me the only reason to buy a front loader is you can stack them which if you're low on space is obviously a big deal.
why top loader?  
xwreckingxcrewx : 8/5/2015 8:36 am : link
Maintenance issues as mentioned, wife doesn't want to bend over...experience with front loader and laundry falls out...maybe just more familiarity with a top loader and it is less expensive- maybe doesn't save as much water but still saves over non HE top loaders.

JV- do you know what model number that LG is?
We got the 1101  
jv : 8/5/2015 8:42 am : link
.

Also got the matching steam dryer.
picked a new washer last year  
haper : 8/5/2015 8:46 am : link
Replaced a front loader with a HE top loader. The biggest problem I had with the front loader is the thing would shake the entire house when it was on the spin cycle. Had a few different installers out to look at the unit and finally one said front loaders should only be installed on slabs or other rock solid floor. I also had the problem with mildew forming on the drum seal. And the advantage that front loaders use less water is not that great anymore since the newer HE top loaders have gotten pretty good in that regard. I'm also happy to not have to bend down to load / unload the unit, very helpful after my back surgery.

We went with an LG , don't see a model number on it but it says HE Inverter direct drive smart drum, and have been happy so far. Be careful bc while shopping we found a few units do not allow you to wash waterproof clothes. Some ppl its just a warning but I'm not sure.

The only disadv we've seen thus far w the top loader vs front are wrinkled clothes. At the end of the spin cycle the front loader would slowly rotate the drum clockwise and counter clockwise and this resulted in the clothes to not being all bunched up (for lack of a better phrase). Conversely, at the end of the top loader's spin cycle all the clothes are smashed up against the side of the drum. It really makes a difference on clothes that can't go into the dryer and need to be hang dried. With the front loader we could hang dry these clothes without the need to iron them. With the top loader we are now forced to iron them, and who likes to iron.
RE: We had a front loader in our condo  
Jim in Fairfax : 8/5/2015 9:15 am : link
In comment 12402599 jv said:
Quote:
prior to buying our house and the thing was fucking awful. Thing would get all moldy and have to be cleaned. Drum liner would wear out and get full of mold. I'd never buy one again.

You don't have those problems with a high efficiency top loader and it's still uses less water than your traditional top loader. There's no agitator in it so you larger loads fit in them just like front loaders.

To me the only reason to buy a front loader is you can stack them which if you're low on space is obviously a big deal.


Those problems can be avoided with the following steps:

1) Leave the door between washes. People naturally do this with top loaders, but tend to close over the front loader door like they would on a dryer.

2) Wipe down the front door rubber gasket after use. Get into the folds where water and dirt accumulate.

3) if it starts to smell, run a tub clean cycle with some bleach.

4) Clean out the filter every 6 to 12 months.
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