Thread Number: 20155
Do these washers have a good track record?
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Post# 321680   12/29/2008 at 21:41 (5,568 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)        

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A friend of mine wants to get a new FL washer. I think these are referred to as frigemore but not 100 percent sure. I know GE Frigidaire and Kenmore all have this similar washer. Is this recommended by anyone here? Personally I have a Duet that is almost 4 yrs old and have had one problem with it with error codes but since its been fixed its been working great but not sure if I should recommend that. Also she has a 6.0 cu ft dryer that she wants to keep. Will it be big enough?

www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605...





Post# 321684 , Reply# 1   12/29/2008 at 22:06 (5,568 days old) by jmm63 (Denville, NJ)        

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I have the exact same washer and matching dryer. I bought them when I bought this house this past summer. I know alot of people make comments on them, but so far, they have been great. The washer holds as much as my old toploader and does a great job cleaning. My only complaint is with the dryer. Things come out wrinkled quite often no matter what setting I have it on. I'm trying to work on what the cause of that is. I did take out the extended service plan on the washer just in case. I think for the money, and for the limited amount of space I had for them, they are great. I would defintaly recommend them!

Post# 321702 , Reply# 2   12/29/2008 at 23:55 (5,568 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)        

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I will give you a hint about clothes coming out of the dryer wrinkled..........I have the same problem......Don't let them dry where they are bone dry.......Let there be just slight dampness to them. Along with that, try using medium or low heat instead of high heat. I think the clothes are a lot more dry when they come out of any FL and they don't get to go through as much of a hot steamy period in the dryer as they do when they come out of a top loader


Just MHO.....thanks :)


Post# 321716 , Reply# 3   12/30/2008 at 05:56 (5,568 days old) by passatdoc (Orange County, California)        

That's the Kenmore version of the Frigidaire 2140, and GE has its own version of the same machine. The Kenmore appears to have omitted the dark smoke color lens of the 2140 door, so it's easier to view the drum interior (there is a way to remove the lens in the 2140). I don't know of anyone here posting 2140 horror stories, most have reported that the machine gives good service as long as you can live with its design limitations (understandable given its moderate price).

I bought a 2140 in March 2006 and so far am delighted with the washer and its matching gas dryer. The machine does not have a heater, so you cannot wash above your hot water line temperature, but my water heater sits next to the washer, so supply is not really an issue. If I needed to wash in really hot water, I would have the option of raising the thermostat on the water heater temporarily for a single load. Also, traditional TL machines lacked heaters, so one could not wash above hot water line temperature with those machines, either.

In retrospect, I should have bought the 2940, which is one notch up their ladder from the 2140, because it has two useful features vs. the 2140:

1. Delay timing. 2140 has an eight hour delay timer. The 2940 has a 4-12 hour variable delay timer. I use the delay feature more than I first anticipated, mainly to set up a load to wash before bedtime, so that it's finished just when I wake up and is ready to load into the dryer. Since clothes are so much dryer after final spin (vs. a TL), drying times are cut by 1/3-1/2, so it's possible to dry a load while showering and having breakfast, before leaving for work. A variable delay feature is more flexible and useful than my fixed eight hour delay, and I wish I had it. Some electric utilities charge less for off peak consumption, though not in my area, and washing overnight with delay start could save on power bills in such areas.

2. 2940 has Automatic Temperature Control, whereas 2140 does not. The main issue here is seasonal variation in the temperature of my cold water line. In winter, it's icy cold and cannot be used to wash clothing on "cold" setting, whereas in summer it's suitable for cold water wash. ATC will mix the cold and hot inputs to ensure a constant "cold" and "warm" wash temperature. In winter, with icy cold water lines, that means it will mix in some warm water to keep the wash temperature at whatever the factory sets (I assume 65-70 F or thereabouts). Because of the very cold water line here in winter, I use only Warm or Hot settings in winter....with ATC on the 2940, I would be able to use Cold setting in winter. For someone whose heater is situated far from the washer, ATC could also help assure that "Warm" receives enough hot water to maintain a stable wash temperature.

The above two issues are relatively minor. 2140 does a great job of cleaning, within its limitations (can't operate above hot water line temp, so don't expect it to sterilize a load of soiled baby clothes), and is large enough for king sized comforters. In addition, it stays on the standard 27 x 27 footprint, so it fits in tight spaces that larger machines (e.g. Duet) do not, because they are deeper and taller.

The gentle and handwash cycles work great, so you can wash nearly everything that is marked "hand wash" in the 2140. Nice and gentle.

Finally, if you need to stack the machines, as I did, the top of the stack is a reasonable six feet high. If you stack Duets or LGs, the top of the stack (and the dryer controls) are 6'8" off the ground....ok if you are tall, not good if you are average or shorter height.

My sister recently bought a 2940 to replace a Maytag TL that broke down and was not repairable (but gave 20+ years good service). She has a laundry closet with accordion panel doors, and the closet was designed 20 years ago to accomodate standard washer and dryers of that era....meaning the doors would not be able to close with a Duet in place, but she was able to accomodate a 2940 and close the closet doors when not using the laundry.

Excellent value for money. The 2940 is one of the three machines rated Best Buy by CR, partly because it cleans as well as machines costing $1000-1200. The 2140 is even more moderatly priced


Post# 321719 , Reply# 4   12/30/2008 at 06:02 (5,568 days old) by passatdoc (Orange County, California)        
ps

I see that Sears also offers the 2940, albeit for $150 extra.

The machines are identical except for a slight difference in controls (2940 has a larger cycle selection knob), Auto Temp Control (2940 has it, 2140 does not), and delay timing (4-12 hour delay, variable, on 2940, fixed eight hour delay on 2140).

When I bought the 2140, it was priced $600 and the 2940 was $675. At those prices, I should have sprung for the extra $75 to get ATC and variable delay timing. Not sure I would have paid a $150 differential, which has occurred because the 2140 price dropped...if the 2940 price has drifted upward, part of the reason may be that it was rated by CR as one of its three top Best Buys....people who use CR as a buying guide come into the store asking for the model by number and the stores realize they don't have to compete on price.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO passatdoc's LINK


Post# 321727 , Reply# 5   12/30/2008 at 06:25 (5,568 days old) by toggleswitch2 ()        

Wrinkles from dryer?


Blame the high speed spin of the washer!

Here is what I do: Fold and "IRON" trousers with your palms/hands, as if to hang them on a hanger. Place in dryer. sounds ridiculous, but works.

Tops/shirts/sweaters. A quick fluff and shake into the air ensure wrinkles from spin don't get set in.

1- Don't overload dryer.
2- Use a medium setting on dryer; slows fading.
3- Use the extended cool-down feature. It is sometimes labeled "Permanent-press" cycle/programme. This is a key wrinkle deterrent.
4- Use the automatic dry feature when possible. Please note that a MOL "auto-dry" that uses time and temps (timer moves when heat is off) will not shut off if dryer is located in a cold location. Also TOL sensor-dry features don't like smaller (say half-loads) and will shut-off the machine prematurely.

:-)


Post# 321732 , Reply# 6   12/30/2008 at 07:01 (5,568 days old) by wetguymd (Maryland)        

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I have the Duet washer and matching dryer and it works great. I have had it for 6 years and never had any problems with either unit. I did notice more wrinkles when I first got them. I solved the problem by using a slower spin speed on things such as shirts and pants and drying them on medium setting. I would recommend the Duet.

Post# 321736 , Reply# 7   12/30/2008 at 08:14 (5,567 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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I have a Frigidaire front-loading washer and its partner dryer. The washer is excellent, but the dryer has only a 5.7 cubic foot drum, which I think is too small. Otherwise, the dryer works very well. Both machines are also priced competitively.

I dry large loads of kitchen whites, or bath towels, but I always split up loads of dress shirts and pants. They come out unmercifully wrinkled if I don't do that. I'll dry a load of four-to-six shirts, then run a second load with pants and socks.

If she wants a dryer with a large drum, I'd go for the Duets.


Post# 321737 , Reply# 8   12/30/2008 at 08:39 (5,567 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

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I have had the smaller capacity (3.1 cu ft) Frigidaire washer and matching dryer for 12 years now. The ONLY problem I've had and this just happened yesterday, is the timer knob comes off when I pull it to start the machine.

A friend of mine has the "square door" Frigidaire set (same as Sears and GE), says he really likes it and it does a great job. The only comment he has is make sure you do larger loads rather then smaller loads, because this machine is OVERLY sensitive to being off balance when trying to spin. If you wash only a few thing (like 3 or 4 towels) it will try to re-distribute numerous times before achieving a spin.

Wrinkles, I agree, low or medium temp when drying and take them out within 15 minutes of the drying cycle completing.


Post# 321744 , Reply# 9   12/30/2008 at 09:38 (5,567 days old) by passatdoc (Orange County, California)        

One of the board members here, GoLittleSport, has the 2940 for 2-3 years and it works great for him. He used to own the 3.1 cu ft Frigidaire and gave it to his son when he bought the new 2940. I believe the 3.1 machine is now over nine years old with no problems whatsoever.

The Duets are very reliable as well. You have to assess what your needs are, whether you need an onboard heater, and your space requirements, i.e. would the Duets fit where you need them to go vs. a standard size machine like Frigidaire.

There are smaller Duets sold as "Duet Sport" and the more upscale in the line, I believe the 8400, has 3.6 cu ft capacity and an onboard heater. I don't know the external dimensions, but I believe they are deeper than 27". Costco often carries these and sells them for about $750, which is a good compromise between a Frigidaire and the larger machines like the full size Duets.

As I posted earlier, I had to stack my machines (a steel-concrete post sits in front of the washer area and would block a FL door, the post is required by building code and no thought to its placement was made in 1988 when the house was built), and a Duet stack would have been too tall (nearly seven feet off the ground) whereas the Frigidaire pair stacks nicely and only 6'1" off the ground. My sister has a laundry closet with tight clearance between the door and the fronts of the machines, so a 2940 did the trick where a Duet could not fit.


Post# 321746 , Reply# 10   12/30/2008 at 09:48 (5,567 days old) by passatdoc (Orange County, California)        

If you scroll to page two in the link below, you will see the Frigidaire line up and they labelled the 2940 with a blue ribbon to show that it was rated a CR Best Buy. That explains why the price on 2940 has drifted upward in the past three years, while the 2140 price has drifted below the original $600 that I paid (I received $135 in water and gas utility rebates, so after-rebate cost before tax and delivery was $465). People who use CR as a buying guide go into the store asking for that model, so they don't have to discount it.

Also I noted they sell the matching dryer to the 2940 for over $700, whereas the solid door dryer matching the 2140 is under $600. You can buy the 2940 and buy the solid door dryer---identical in all respects to the other dryer minus a window---and save over $100.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO passatdoc's LINK


Post# 321772 , Reply# 11   12/30/2008 at 13:59 (5,567 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)        

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Thanks. I will give this info to her. Her hot water heater is in her laundry room. I don't know how hot its set. I know the water here in winter is ICE cold! I know one thing I want to mention. If I ever buy another FL washer, I'm not buying the pedestals... I think the washers would be fine without them unless you just can't bend a little. I'm just going to give her my opinion on that.

Post# 321776 , Reply# 12   12/30/2008 at 15:06 (5,567 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)        

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Because they are made in Agusta,GA and the parts are readily available(if needed)for them AND because these macines are made on the very same assembly line as the commercial Wascomat washers which have to pass very high standards,the FRIGIDAIRE domestic and comercial washers rock!They're easy to work on and take a beating. The only major issue is the care of the machine by the owner.The average user of these has a bad habit of leaving the door closed after it's finished which can cause a severe build up of mildew in ANY front loading washer.My WESTINGHOUSE LAUNDROFILE use and care book specificly states that after one is finished doing their laundry,they need to whipe out the residue water from the last load washed and leave the door AJAR to eliminate mildew and keep the tub boot fresh and flexible.


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