Front Load Washer comparison!

I have come to the conclusion that nothing today meets 100% of what we are all looking for in a washer. Their are so many likes and things that one has and the other doesn't have.
One of the biggest issues with all these new front loaders is the time issue. They all run so long. I have also read some instruction booklets and certain things turn me off.
So I will give all the pros and cons as I see them. Please submit comments both positive and negative.

1st LG you all know how I feel but to make a long story short on this one - the service SUX. And parts are not available, many services do not want to touch LG The machine seems to be built more solidly than most giving a positive. Also water circulation is a positive But the cycles are excessively long due to spin balancing.

2nd Whirlpool Duet seems to be constructed well. But lack of full size baffels for rotating clothes. But are rated well for cleaning so they are doing something right. With this design in my opinion a negative is the lack of water circulation system. From what I hear they do balance clothes better and faster than LG. The negative for the Kenmore is the smoked glass windows.
I have read some instruction booklets online.
I viewed data on the DUET SPORT. First let me say the door design seems to be the strongest than most as a positive. They do have full size baffles compared to the Duet a positive. But less control over the cycle time. Like their is no Heavy Medium Light soil options. According to the book the heavy duty cycle runs about 85 minutes at full speed. The normal causal runs for 50 minutes at medium speed. What if I want to wash a Normal load with full speed? So that would rule this one for me. Also the better model offers a pre wash option, but their is no dispenser for pre wash and manual gives little information about it. It is my opinion that it is just a extended wash.

Speed Queen - I saw the newest model last week with the larger opening door. Impressive but lack of control and very stripped down. On the previous model they offered a 9 minute wash maximum and now this one offers only a 24 minute wash. Why don't they have adjustment to go in between? Also no provision for pre wash or soak.

Frigidaire - The best bang for the buck. Negative doesn't seem to be constructed as well as some others. The old frig more model stripped down to very basic. The next series the 2 models with the square door. Nice has many cycles but some very unnecessary. Normal and Heavy cycle should be combined basically the same except wash time settings. A positive with extra rinse setting you get a 4th rinse, and not any of the others to my knowledge can you get 4 rinses. Negative bleach goes in first rinse. That is easy to remedy by adding to main compartment after wash is running for your own pre determined time. As for the Affinity it is a stepped up version of the square door models but have fewer cycles and options. Does not have a pre wash like square door models do. Seems a little more solidly constructed. TOL model has heater on Sanitary cycle only.

GE � Not talking about Frig more model but newer larger China made machine. I still say it has some LG in it. Nice size drum and controls seem the simplest and most straight forward to use. But rumor has it balancing issues are a big problem with this machine and very long cycle times. I would also like to see that loose that tinted glass door.

Miele - Observed the 2 larger 4.0 models. Well constructed at least better than most. Lower model lacks rinse / spin and spin only feature. Upper model has a master control feature with these options that gives additional cycles like for curtains and denims. I don�t know what value that brings. I did like these machines but the lack of control with setting cycle time bothered me. For instance I was able to turn on the TOL unit without water of course it was in the show room. The extended option adds about 30 minutes to the normal cycle. No in between that�s what bothered me. The pre wash adds about another 25 minutes. Sensitive adds about 12 minutes, I assume that gives a extra rinse. It was strange seeing a bleach dispenser on a Miele. It was a attached compartment just above the detergent dispenser. I would be careful loading it seems like bleach can spill easily.
I would like to take this one out for a spin.

I spent a lot of time giving my opinions and my own ratings please give comments and feed back.
So what is the best to buy - we should design our own.

Peter


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Post# 200451 3/30/2007 at 23:23 (6,233 days old) by peteski50 (New York)
Checkrate/Likes I have come to the conclusion that nothing today meets 100% of what we are all looking for in a washer. Their are so many likes and things that one has and the other doesn't have. One of the biggest issues with all these new front loaders is the time issue. They all run so long. I have also read some instruction booklets and certain things turn me off. So I will give all the pros and cons as I see them. Please submit comments both positive and negative. 1st LG you all know how I feel but to make a long story short on this one - the service SUX. And parts are not available, many services do not want to touch LG The machine seems to be built more solidly than most giving a positive. Also water circulation is a positive But the cycles are excessively long due to spin balancing. 2nd Whirlpool Duet seems to be constructed well. But lack of full size baffels for rotating clothes. But are rated well for cleaning so they are doing something right. With this design in my opinion a negative is the lack of water circulation system. From what I hear they do balance clothes better and faster than LG. The negative for the Kenmore is the smoked glass windows. I have read some instruction booklets online. I viewed data on the DUET SPORT. First let me say the door design seems to be the strongest than most as a positive. They do have full size baffles compared to the Duet a positive. But less control over the cycle time. Like their is no Heavy Medium Light soil options. According to the book the heavy duty cycle runs about 85 minutes at full speed. The normal causal runs for 50 minutes at medium speed. What if I want to wash a Normal load with full speed? So that would rule this one for me. Also the better model offers a pre wash option, but their is no dispenser for pre wash and manual gives little information about it. It is my opinion that it is just a extended wash. Speed Queen - I saw the newest model last week with the larger opening door. Impressive but lack of control and very stripped down. On the previous model they offered a 9 minute wash maximum and now this one offers only a 24 minute wash. Why don't they have adjustment to go in between? Also no provision for pre wash or soak. Frigidaire - The best bang for the buck. Negative doesn't seem to be constructed as well as some others. The old frig more model stripped down to very basic. The next series the 2 models with the square door. Nice has many cycles but some very unnecessary. Normal and Heavy cycle should be combined basically the same except wash time settings. A positive with extra rinse setting you get a 4th rinse, and not any of the others to my knowledge can you get 4 rinses. Negative bleach goes in first rinse. That is easy to remedy by adding to main compartment after wash is running for your own pre determined time. As for the Affinity it is a stepped up version of the square door models but have fewer cycles and options. Does not have a pre wash like square door models do. Seems a little more solidly constructed. TOL model has heater on Sanitary cycle only. GE � Not talking about Frig more model but newer larger China made machine. I still say it has some LG in it. Nice size drum and controls seem the simplest and most straight forward to use. But rumor has it balancing issues are a big problem with this machine and very long cycle times. I would also like to see that loose that tinted glass door. Miele - Observed the 2 larger 4.0 models. Well constructed at least better than most. Lower model lacks rinse / spin and spin only feature. Upper model has a master control feature with these options that gives additional cycles like for curtains and denims. I don�t know what value that brings. I did like these machines but the lack of control with setting cycle time bothered me. For instance I was able to turn on the TOL unit without water of course it was in the show room. The extended option adds about 30 minutes to the normal cycle. No in between that�s what bothered me. The pre wash adds about another 25 minutes. Sensitive adds about 12 minutes, I assume that gives a extra rinse. It was strange seeing a bleach dispenser on a Miele. It was a attached compartment just above the detergent dispenser. I would be careful loading it seems like bleach can spill easily. I would like to take this one out for a spin. I spent a lot of time giving my opinions and my own ratings please give comments and feed back. So what is the best to buy - we should design our own. Peter

Post# 200455 , Reply# 1 3/30/2007 at 23:36 (6,233 days old) by kacyc1 (Chico, CA)
Checkrate/Likes *Did you look at Bosch* I actually have the LG 2277 and have been very happy with it. I used to have a Bosch Axxis and wish sometimes that I would have bought the Bosch Nexxt. I liked the fact that it has guaranteed water temperatures and the ability to do a profile wash but as with all of these machines there were reliability concerns. I really wanted the forced water circulaiton and therefore bought a LG. I've been very happy with both the washer and dryer so far but wish I would have spent the extra $ and bought the steam washer as it has a "Water Plus" option. I also bought the extended warranty through Best Buy and it's covered under them. I haven't had any problems at all so far but have faith in Best Buy that they will fix my machine or replace it for the next 4 years if I have any problems. Good luck!

Post# 200456 , Reply# 2 3/30/2007 at 23:51 (6,233 days old) by peteski50 (New York)
Checkrate/Likes *I knew I missed one!* I forgot to mention the Bosch Nexxt - I don't know much about this one. The controls do seem to be a bit confusing. I do like the wide opening door and big baffels. Does anyone else have anything to say about this machine? Peter

Post# 200459 , Reply# 3 3/31/2007 at 00:24 (6,233 days old) by decodriveboy (FL, US)
Checkrate/Likes *My Ideal* What I would really like to have in a FL washer would be this: Wash, rinse, and spin times that I can each customize to my liking -- no pre-set cycles. Rinse temp would be adjustable, I could insert a brief high spin between washes/rinses, and have the ability to cut down the final spin to maybe 2 or 3 minutes max. I would have an internal water heater. I would like to able able to adjust how fast it tumbles. I would get rid of that lonnnnng "fluff" tumble after the final spin. Two revolutions is all it needs. I would like to be able to program the water level to my liking. Finally, I would bring back vintage lettering, chrome, and color schemes. I'm still waiting for turquoise and mint to make a comeback.

Post# 200462 , Reply# 4 3/31/2007 at 00:46 (6,233 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There�s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes *There Are Front Loaders Out There Already That Can Do This* Wascomat,Milnor, Miele and countless other commercial washing machines have total user input for cycles via computer/microprosessor controls. Problem is they usually start at around 45lbs capacity laundry! LOL L.

Post# 200475 , Reply# 5 3/31/2007 at 08:14 (6,232 days old) by westie2 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Opinions and ratings* Peter you've done a great job on rating the different machines. Very well thought out. Most people like the bling look without even asking or looking at what the different machine does in different cycles. I wish appliance stores had washers and dryers hooked up like they used to so folks could see the difference like Sears and Wards used to do.

Post# 200477 , Reply# 6 3/31/2007 at 08:22 (6,232 days old) by westie2 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Washer we have* After 10 years of a Shredmore we in 2003 did research and bouth a TOL Amana. It was good for about a year then got louder and louder and after 3 service calls with nothing wrong it flamed up in January 2005. As all my children had bought the 3.1 Frigidaire, GE or Kenmore washers we decided to go with the 3.5 Kenmore that just came on the market. This is one of the best we have ever had with the various cycles and being able to program different rinses and spin speeds. We went for the bang for the buck like you said for the Frigidaire.

Post# 200495 , Reply# 7 3/31/2007 at 10:47 (6,232 days old) by super32 (Blackstone Massachusetts)
Checkrate/Likes *What nexxt* I've been using a nexxt for 3yrs and love it! I originaly had the first generation now i have the latest models. (i know i go thru them faster than underware) lol. I ve had various brands of T/L over the years and 2 neptune F/l. I liked the first neptune til i got the second neptune and then went for the bosch. It cleans like a !@#$%^. Dont get me wrong, it has it corks, like some of the above mentioned cycle issues, but I over look that for its ability to clean. Then again I have to somewhat brand loyal for obvious reasons. Scott

Post# 200499 , Reply# 8 3/31/2007 at 11:06 (6,232 days old) by golittlesport (California)
Checkrate/Likes Interesting comparison, Peter. Thanks! I tend to vote for Frigidaire front loaders.

Post# 200588 , Reply# 9 3/31/2007 at 22:22 (6,232 days old) by volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)
Checkrate/Likes GE My folks just bought a new GE set. The dryer is fine, but the lint screen is very course and difficult to clean. I wouldn't take the washer if you gave it to me! The door gasket always has a big puddle of water and suds sitting in it at the end of cycle. Unless you wipe it up every time, you drag your clean laundry through the standing water and suds when you remove it from the machine. It has the worst problems balencing small loads. I tried to wash a sweater that says "machine wash seperately" the darn GE wouldn't even spin! At the end of the cycle it was dripping wet and I had to wring it out by hand. It also doesn't seem to clean that well, and it just can't filter out lint or cat hair. My Maytag A208 produces cleaner wash! I like the way the Maytag Neptunes perform, too bad it was a flawed design. Dave

Post# 201104 , Reply# 17 4/4/2007 at 05:38 (6,229 days old) by tumbler ()
Checkrate/Likes *FL machines* After about a year with my Duet HT pair, can state that the clothes-including extremely dirty, greasy work clothes-come out clean as can be, and they've been absolutely trouble free. Virtually the only complaint I have is lack of an "extended spin" option which the Kenmore has. I just couldn't get with those smoked windows on the Kenmores, however....

Post# 202112 , Reply# 23 4/7/2007 at 22:27 (6,225 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)
Checkrate/Likes Whoops--I meant to say I've only used the optional EXTRA rinse a couple of times. I was writing about FL'ers but thinking about my TL'er, LOL.

Post# 200594 , Reply# 10 3/31/2007 at 22:49 (6,232 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There�s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes Can see some water on the boot after the final spin, even my Miele leaves a tiny amount. This is not huge deal usually, but have a paper towel kept near on wash day to wipe up if it really bothers me. Now suds after the final spin is another matter. If the washer in question has a glass door, one might wish to take a peep at the final spin to see if suds are gushin down the door as water is extracted. Seeing suds clearly indicates too much detergent was used and or poor rinsing. Note certian fabric conditiners tend to "foam" but usually one can tell the difference between such froth and suds. L.

Post# 200597 , Reply# 11 3/31/2007 at 23:26 (6,232 days old) by westytoploader ()
Checkrate/Likes Peter, great comparison. I plan on purchasing a commercial double-loader in the future for all of those reasons you mentioned above...the new residential machines currently out on the market just don't seem to cut it.

Post# 200767 , Reply# 12 4/2/2007 at 06:15 (6,231 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)
Checkrate/Likes I like the Lgs.I also like the Frigidaire and Miele 4.0 cu.ft.models.The rest of them,you can have.If I had my druthers,I'd have the Miele's in my laundry room this minute!!

Post# 200793 , Reply# 13 4/2/2007 at 10:16 (6,230 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)
Checkrate/Likes I'm very pleased with my Duet with 3.8 cu ft tub but it has only been a month since the pair was delivered and I am still learning the various options. Other than water level I think this washer provides more than enough options for the average user. I did notice one thing yesterday. I have been doing laundry for my mom who just entered a skilled nursing facility last week. Yesterday I was washing a small load of her clothes, mostly synthetics, that were last washed in her cheap vintage 2000 GE TL. There was so much suds in the water that the clothes wouldn't even tumble, they just slid right over the baffles. I had to drain the machine twice to get rid of all of the residual soap. I think the GE TL's inferior design and the former caregiver's over-zealous use of detergent were both to blame. Now I understand why the use of HE detergent is a must with FL machines. Bottom line is, I wish my Duet used a little more water just for the fun of watching it in action, but it's doing a super job getting clothes clean and completely rinsed just the way it is. I'm thankful I bought an early (now discontinued) model that doesn't qualify for water saving rebates. I can't imagine a washer that uses even less water would get clothes very clean.

Post# 200852 , Reply# 14 4/2/2007 at 16:35 (6,230 days old) by vintagesearch ()
Checkrate/Likes great comparisons! Me I dont know I think I want to stick to toploaders. I mean I know how well FLer's are energy wise and its cleaning ability. However Im still closed minded to think if I dont see enought water the clothes dont come out clean I like having control of how much water I should use and I dont want to wait forever to finish one load of laundry. On a hypocritcical stand point Whirlpool and LG FLers have been catching my eye If i bought one those would be the only ones I would look at. Heres an idea the next comparisons should be HE toploaders. Like the Oasis,cabrio,harmony,fisher & paykel,haier. I would really like to hear comparisons on that lil' family. ;)

Post# 201084 , Reply# 15 4/4/2007 at 00:40 (6,229 days old) by peteski50 (New York)
Checkrate/Likes *Comparison!* Vintagesearch I don't know to much about the HE toploaders I wish someone would start a thread. As for the front loaders I would stay away from LG. Go where the service is better. If I did have to make another choice now I would go with Whirlpool or Frigidaire even though they have negatives also. Peter

Post# 201086 , Reply# 16 4/4/2007 at 00:43 (6,229 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There�s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes Still don't know why no American washing machine brand has taken on top loading H-axis washers besides Staber.

Post# 202002 , Reply# 18 4/7/2007 at 18:10 (6,225 days old) by jerseymike ()
Checkrate/Likes *Great thread!* Peter, you've done a great job with this thread! My parents (who are both in their 80's) are in the market for a new washer and they shocked my by saying that they want a front loader. I'm printing out this thread (they know about your LG nightmare) so they can have something in addition to the usual Consumer Reports to mull over. Thanks, Mike

Post# 202091 , Reply# 19 4/7/2007 at 21:45 (6,225 days old) by peteski50 (New York)
Checkrate/Likes *Front Loader!* Hi Mike, I wish I could make my thread go real public at least about LG especially being I am having problems again. I would probably personally recommend the Frigidaire over all even though their are some negatives you get the best bang for the buck and you will get good service if needed. Good Luck keep me posted. Peter

Post# 202106 , Reply# 20 4/7/2007 at 22:07 (6,225 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)
Checkrate/Likes Peteski50-- I agree with your assertion that Frigidaire's front-loaders provide the best bang for the buck. One comment about the timed bleach release: When I first got my machine, I also thought it was weird that bleach would be released during the first rinse. Now, I actually like it that way. If I understand what Launderess has posted on the subject, detergents with 'color protection' can hamper the effectiveness of liquid chlorine bleach. Conversely, LCB can hamper the cleaning ability of many detergents. The problem is solved by adding the bleach to the first rinse, after the detergent has been spun out of the load. I used to add bleach the last five minutes of the wash cycle (by diluting it and pouring it into the detergent dispenser), but noticed no difference in stain removal when compared to letting the washer add it automatically during the rinse, despite the presence of cold water by that point.

Post# 202108 , Reply# 21 4/7/2007 at 22:18 (6,225 days old) by peteski50 (New York)
Checkrate/Likes *Frigidaire* I am not so crazy about that part having the bleach go in the first rinse, but the one good thing about Frigidaire it gives you 4 rinses with the extra rinse selection the others are 3 with extra rinse if I stand corrected. The more rinses the better. Especially if you are looking to get rid of the bleach smell. Peter

Post# 202111 , Reply# 22 4/7/2007 at 22:26 (6,225 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)
Checkrate/Likes The 'Whites' (regular) and 'Colors' (easy care/permanent press) cycles have 3 rinses; 4 with the optional extra rinse. The 'Delicate' and 'Short' cycles have 2 rinses; the delicate cycle can add an optional 3rd rinse. Having said that, I've only used the optional 2nd rinse a couple of times---when I've oversudsed. I almost never use the Colors cycle because there is no spin between the wash and 1st rinse. I like to get that detergent spun out. There is also no spin before the 1st rinse of the Delicate cycle, but that makes more sense.