Looking for a new washer and dryer

[satanshollow]

We just moved into a new house and the washer and dryer are pretty old.

Looking to get a new set of front loaders. Side by side no stacking ones.

Was wondering what brands you would recommend. I was looking at Whirlpool but found some not so great reviews.

Probably going to spend anywher from $1200-1800 or so. Please let me know what you recommend, thanks!

[Dustbunny]

I've had a few sets thanks to moving around a bit and all three times have bought Frigidaire (one set Kenmore made by them) and they have been great. Unless you need all the bells and whistles you can get some decent stuff that is moderately priced. I've never had a problem with any of them. I was warned off any Maytag as they do keep their repairman busy apparently.

Meanwhile, I did find I kept getting larger drums and larger doors because they are just easier to use and take more stuff (I wanted to make sure I could wash my feather duvet for instance). I also have had them side by side and stacked and didn't particularly like either of them until I got the pedestal to go with them. They are great that way as they are high enough to see into and easier on the back when transferring clothes from washer to dryer. Stacked was great for space saving, but that meant the washer was still low and my dryer door kept trying to shut which meant a few cracks in the head while coming up with stuff from the washer.

BTW, if you aren't picky about matching, just get the best FL you can find and a standard dryer. That is the set up I have now and the dryer is bigger and dries faster because of it. It's just a standard dryer, no big deal, no big price tag and I actually like the way it operates a lot better than the matching units I had because it will take the whole load no problem.

One thing to watch while shopping is which brands get the most complaints about smell. Some of them seem to have a bigger problem with this than others. Mine is fine, but the washer door has to be left open or the gasket completely dried before closing it. Other people have found even with the door left open, they still get a smell in some models.

[mrbbq82]

Be sure to invest the lion's share of your $'s in the washer looking at a high R.P.M. spin as this gets more water out of the fabrics and they dry faster with less energy:D. Look into a balanced drum and suspension that allows higher speed. Self balance of load. ................Yes I USED to sell washers and dryers. Also look for built in heaters that will compensate for water usage elsewhere in the house.

Good luck
Greg

[Yellow00]

Please DO NOT buy Samsung !
We had Samsung Bigwash washer-dryer set and after just only 4 years the washers drum barkets broke at the back . The new drum costs 360 $ plus taxes , material only . Had some problems with both of them before as well . So we bought Whirlpool set this time , 1820 $ at Goemans .

[Troi]

Thanks for the advice on the Samsung - was just going to buy a set...won't do that now!

[pkguy]

Consumer Reports February 2009 issue on washers

Front loaders top pick was the Samsung WF448AA(w)

Second pick and a best buy GE GCVH6800(ww)

there were numerous more, that's just the top two.

[dlhunter]

We are getting Samsung (448s) as they are one of the best on market
Used to have Whirlpool (9400) and didn't like it a lot - noise and built quality (dryer) are poor

[Brrr]

Consumer Reports February 2009 issue on washers

Front loaders top pick was the Samsung WF448AA(w)

Second pick and a best buy GE GCVH6800(ww)

there were numerous more, that's just the top two.

I've had the GE washer in Chilli Red for about 4 months. We called for service a couple of months in as the fabric softener wasn't being fully dispensed from the dispenser. We were told that this is normal and common for this type of dispenser. If you google it, many people are complaining about the same issue. We were also told that we should water down any concentrated softner, and this has been better.

Other than that, we've been happy with the performance of this washer. I leave the door open a crack so that it dries out after using.

[Friday5PM]

I like Maytag, my parents have them for over 15 years and still working well. I would go to the Bay or Sears to see if there is any good deal on Maytag washer and dryer.

[satanshollow]

Thanks for the replies, I may go check out Sears and see what they have. They typically have good service there. I'll check out the Kenmore and LG models.

[pkguy]

Maytag is no longer the Maytag company of olden days. In 2006 they were purchased by Whirlpool. Those dependable Maytag toploaders they built for years and years are no longer made. You will see Maytag toploaders in stores now but they are not the same machine as the old ones were but they still get a good rating in CR as do the Whirpool and Kenmore toploaders which are essentially similar.

[Friday5PM]

Maytag is no longer the Maytag company of olden days. In 2006 they were purchased by Whirlpool. Those dependable Maytag toploaders they built for years and years are no longer made. You will see Maytag toploaders in stores now but they are not the same machine as the old ones were but they still get a good rating in CR as do the Whirpool and Kenmore toploaders which are essentially similar.

did not know that...I see...thanks...do you have subscription to CR? if yes, can you pm me their rating for stove, fridges, washer & dryer

Thank you,

[Martin (deal addict)]

We just moved into a new house and the washer and dryer are pretty old.

Looking to get a new set of front loaders. Side by side no stacking ones.

Was wondering what brands you would recommend. I was looking at Whirlpool but found some not so great reviews.

Probably going to spend anywher from $1200-1800 or so. Please let me know what you recommend, thanks!

Direct drive washers are said to be superior. LG and Samsung make these - not sure who else. We have Samsung since September 08 - pleased so far.

[satanshollow]

Direct drive, I'll look into it thanks.

The more I read about front load washers the more I want to get another top loader. I've just read about so many problems with odours/mildew getting parts and service etc.

[sunnybono]

We just moved into a new house and the washer and dryer are pretty old.

Looking to get a new set of front loaders. Side by side no stacking ones.

Was wondering what brands you would recommend. I was looking at Whirlpool but found some not so great reviews.

Probably going to spend anywher from $1200-1800 or so. Please let me know what you recommend, thanks!

Just recently repaired my 10 year old Kenmore washer (top load) and while I was at the parts store (AP Wagner, Mississauga) I asked the parts manager, who has been in the business for more than 30 years, if I had to replace the washer and dryer what brand/model would he recommend. He told me to definitely stay away from LG. LG has a very bad repair history and if you need parts, you will be waiting a long time. He did indicate that whatever is being made now is complete garbage and the best of the worst lot is the Whirlpool Duets.

sk

[pkguy]

Consumer Reports reliability on 20,000 washers goes like this from most reliable on down. For washers between 2004-2008 .
Differences of less than 4 points aren't meaningful.

LG 10
Whirpool 10
Frigidaire 11
Kenmore 11
Bosch 13
Maytag 14
GE 14

So really it doesn't look like there's any real horror stories out there, they're all pretty similar on the reliability front.

I just noticed that the top rated front load washer the Samsung does not have any reliability data. Probably too new to have any feedback.

[satanshollow]

In our old townhouse (new in 2001) we had GE stackable washer and dryers. Had zero problems in the 7.5 years we lived there and used them.

So I think I'll look at GE as well.

[Martin (deal addict)]

We just moved into a new house and the washer and dryer are pretty old.

Looking to get a new set of front loaders. Side by side no stacking ones.

Was wondering what brands you would recommend. I was looking at Whirlpool but found some not so great reviews.

Probably going to spend anywher from $1200-1800 or so. Please let me know what you recommend, thanks!

Direct drive washers are said to be superior. LG and Samsung make these - not sure who else. We have Samsung since September 08 - pleased so far.

[pkguy]

I'm not 100% sure so don't quote me but I do believe that belt-drive washers are no longer made by anyone and that they are all direct drive.

[plymouthhater]

Maytag is no longer the Maytag company of olden days. In 2006 they were purchased by Whirlpool. Those dependable Maytag toploaders they built for years and years are no longer made. You will see Maytag toploaders in stores now but they are not the same machine as the old ones were but they still get a good rating in CR as do the Whirpool and Kenmore toploaders which are essentially similar.

IMHO avboid Maytag like the plague. I have a Maytag Neptune washer that is about 7 yrs old. Purchased it at Sears Outlet Store for $830. I took out the Sears extended warranty which I have been dutifully renewing every year.

It has gone through a drum (bearing failed), a motor, a timer, the console circuit board (famous Maytag wax motor seal issue) and last week the spin cycle quit. Sears sent out a repair tech and it seems the motor has failed again (he said it spins too slowly for spin cycle).

Needless to say I am certainly getting my money's worth out of the Sears extended warranty. However, the inconvenience of having to wait for repairs is beginning to annoy us and I will probably start looking for a deal on a washer soon.

[Friday5PM]

IMHO avboid Maytag like the plague. I have a Maytag Neptune washer that is about 7 yrs old.....However, the inconvenience of having to wait for repairs is beginning to annoy us and I will probably start looking for a deal on a washer soon.

I'll sell you my parents' old maytag washer & dryer...they're still working...hehe just kidding

[pkguy]

That was the one, the Maytag Neptunes, I was thinking Gemini which is there stove. Maytag had a huge problem with those washers and the expense of the recalling and repairs ultimately did the company in. Not just that but they also bought the Hoover Company which did nothing for their bottom line. While all the problems were occurring with those front load Neptunes there regular top loaders were all doing fine and seeing as the company no longer really exists but in name only, made by Whirpool now, it's probably safe to buy a Maytag.

[Ineedanewtv]

They have a know defect in which the gear system literally falls apart after 5 years:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwpKP_9_fAA


I've had a few sets thanks to moving around a bit and all three times have bought Frigidaire (one set Kenmore made by them) and they have been great. Unless you need all the bells and whistles you can get some decent stuff that is moderately priced. I've never had a problem with any of them. I was warned off any Maytag as they do keep their repairman busy apparently.

Meanwhile, I did find I kept getting larger drums and larger doors because they are just easier to use and take more stuff (I wanted to make sure I could wash my feather duvet for instance). I also have had them side by side and stacked and didn't particularly like either of them until I got the pedestal to go with them. They are great that way as they are high enough to see into and easier on the back when transferring clothes from washer to dryer. Stacked was great for space saving, but that meant the washer was still low and my dryer door kept trying to shut which meant a few cracks in the head while coming up with stuff from the washer.

BTW, if you aren't picky about matching, just get the best FL you can find and a standard dryer. That is the set up I have now and the dryer is bigger and dries faster because of it. It's just a standard dryer, no big deal, no big price tag and I actually like the way it operates a lot better than the matching units I had because it will take the whole load no problem.

One thing to watch while shopping is which brands get the most complaints about smell. Some of them seem to have a bigger problem with this than others. Mine is fine, but the washer door has to be left open or the gasket completely dried before closing it. Other people have found even with the door left open, they still get a smell in some models.

[bolmsted]

I got an LG washer/dryer set in July as part of my house closing. They are sooo quite compared to the GE stackable washer and dryer that were part of the condo but those were getting older too. The only noticeable noise they make from my TV area is when they are about to shut off to let you know to go unload them. :)

[tataynik]

http://www.caplans.ca/promotions/promotion_114.pdf

Bought the Bosch Nexxt 800 series pair a couple of months ago and wife is really happy with them. Super quiet and dryer has the steam feature to refresh or take off wrinkles. Had to replace a kenmore front load pair, washer crapped out after 5 years and too expensive to repair.

[piscessoul]

just bought the Bosch Nexxt 500 series from Quan's. Hoping that I will be happy with this buy....from what I've read, they are super quiet.

The pair was on sale at Quan's. It's a mismatch...but that doesn't matter to me.

[plymouthhater]

They have a know defect in which the gear system literally falls apart after 5 years:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwpKP_9_fAA

You are absolutely correct - the Sears tech that came to repair my Maytag POS told me to avoid the cube shaped Frigidaire & their Kenmore equivalents. He told me that he actually picks them up at the side of the road when people put them out for garbage or when customers decide not worth it to fix them when he gives them the repair estimate and fixes them in his spare time and re-sells them.

[sdee33]

What about Miele?

I know they make great dishwashers.

[plymouthhater]

IMHO avboid Maytag like the plague. I have a Maytag Neptune washer that is about 7 yrs old. Purchased it at Sears Outlet Store for $830. I took out the Sears extended warranty which I have been dutifully renewing every year.

It has gone through a drum (bearing failed), a motor, a timer, the console circuit board (famous Maytag wax motor seal issue) and last week the spin cycle quit. Sears sent out a repair tech and it seems the motor has failed again (he said it spins too slowly for spin cycle).

Needless to say I am certainly getting my money's worth out of the Sears extended warranty. However, the inconvenience of having to wait for repairs is beginning to annoy us and I will probably start looking for a deal on a washer soon.
Sears Tech just left - replaced the motor assy.
Cost of the repair had I not had extended warranty from Sears:
$350 for the motor assy + service call + 1 hr labour.
Tech said repair would have cost $530.

So far Sears have sunk over $1300 in repairs into a washer that I paid $830 for at the Outlet Store.

[sixer]

LG is awesome, 4+ yrs going strong for washer/dryer with tons of use tks to couple kids.

[djpepe]

So it seems that Samsung and LG are the leaders in the front load steam race....So how does one decide???? My main concern is vibration as our laundry area is on the main floor. They all seem to have the mildew problem if you don't leave the door open so that is a non issue. Is the Samsung silver care really worth it???

[MarkIII]

So it seems that Samsung and LG are the leaders in the front load steam race....So how does one decide???? My main concern is vibration as our laundry area is on the main floor. They all seem to have the mildew problem if you don't leave the door open so that is a non issue. Is the Samsung silver care really worth it???

How can you be so sure? A washer and dryer is mostly mechanical. I trust german engineering (whirlpool washer) over Korean engineering.

[djpepe]

Well, I suppose the answer to your question is all the user reviews!

[dishguy1977]

So it seems that Samsung and LG are the leaders in the front load steam race....So how does one decide???? My main concern is vibration as our laundry area is on the main floor. They all seem to have the mildew problem if you don't leave the door open so that is a non issue. Is the Samsung silver care really worth it???

I would look at the Whirlpool Duet with steam and the Kenmore equivalent the HE5t. We have the Kenmore and are very happy with it. No smell issues and it does have a clean cycle to run bleach through it.

[djpepe]

Well, I took delivery of the Samsungs a few days ago and so far I am very happy!:D The dryer had some surface damage on delivery and Future shop is replacing it next week. The price was great and I got the 5 year warranty included. There is absoultley zero vibration noise.

[redac]

Which model did you end up going with? Still happy?


Well, I took delivery of the Samsungs a few days ago and so far I am very happy!:D The dryer had some surface damage on delivery and Future shop is replacing it next week. The price was great and I got the 5 year warranty included. There is absoultley zero vibration noise.