Well looking a whirlpool today?

My rule of thumb is always to go older if you can. You can't go wrong with any Whirlpool/Inglis/Lady K because of their performance and reliability.

HOWEVER...While I would give just about anything for one of those, luck hasn't been on my side. Right now I have the 2012 version of the model in picture #1, the only difference being the console. After over 2 years, I've been surprisingly impressed and pleased with it, being a new machine produced in the midst of the HE era. The only two tweaks I'd recommend doing for anyone that has this particular type of machine, whether Whirlpool, Maytag, or Kenmore, would be:

1. Remove the flow restrictors from the inlet valve. Simple to do, just a matter of disconnecting the hoses from the back, removing the screen, pulling the orange/red restrictor and plug out with needle nose pliars, replacing the screen, and connecting it back. I didn't even have to pull mine away from the wall. The difference in water flow is night and day though, and it changes your fill time for both wash and rinse from 18-25 minutes, to 5-7 minutes roughly, also shortening your total cycle to around 45 minutes. The machine is going to fill to the level you select regardless of how fast or slow, so it makes no sense why they'd put the restrictors on a model that doesn't auto-sense.

2. ALWAYS always always use the Fabric Softener On/Deep Rinse option, regardless of whether or not you're using FS. By default the machine washes, drains, low speed spins, then turns on the water while slowly turning the tub, for about a minute. Because of the position of the fill flume, the water mainly falls to the edge of the agitator base, and partially towards the bottom of the tub, which means anything against the tub itself doesn't even get touched. I took a video of mine for reference should anyone ask. With FS ON selected, however, the machine washes, spins, and fills again for a complete rinse cycle, just like a traditional washer. The water level selector applies to both wash and rinse, so there's no wonky low water agitation or anything, just full almost-to-the-brim fills as they should be.

The only things to really get used to with this machine are the locking lid, and the "sensing" spin at the beginning. Because the washer opens the inlet for a few seconds before this sensing spin, a heavy load may cause the tub to bang against the inside of the cabinet, and sometimes actually move the washer a bit, so for those I just switch the water off for that period. The sensing spin does nothing on this machine because the "data" it collects from the weight and momentum of the tub is cancelled out by the manual water level selector, and the time is governed by your choice of Heavy, Normal, or Light.

Other than that, it's been a phenomenal washer. Despite having a 1/3 HP digital inverter motor, it seems to have no problem with super heavy loads. It sounds different at first, but you get used to it. The spin cycle is much faster than traditional washers, and much quieter, especially when it kicks the pump off for the last few minutes and just leaves drive motor running. Everything is always barely damp afterwards, and it seems to be easier on the dryer as well.


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Post# 771380 7/16/2014 at 21:38 (3,565 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)
Checkrate/Likes Well looking at whirlpool today if i had a choice of buying this modern belt drive or go vintage i would rather buy a vintage belt drive inglis whirlpool like this rather than picture number 2 with matching dryer of course something that would last a good forty years not something that would last 10 years or that could break tomorow morning lol Edit like picture number 2 not picture number 1 sorry posted pictures in the wrong order Photos... < > Photo 1 of 3 View Full Size

Post# 771426 , Reply# 1 7/17/2014 at 01:51 (3,565 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)
Checkrate/Likes Go vintage!!!Do your appliance shopping at your local appliance and thrift swap shops!Esp with the bugger-bear of a mess starting at GE now!

Post# 771515 , Reply# 2 7/17/2014 at 11:04 (3,564 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US)
Checkrate/Likes My rule of thumb is always to go older if you can. You can't go wrong with any Whirlpool/Inglis/Lady K because of their performance and reliability. HOWEVER...While I would give just about anything for one of those, luck hasn't been on my side. Right now I have the 2012 version of the model in picture #1, the only difference being the console. After over 2 years, I've been surprisingly impressed and pleased with it, being a new machine produced in the midst of the HE era. The only two tweaks I'd recommend doing for anyone that has this particular type of machine, whether Whirlpool, Maytag, or Kenmore, would be: 1. Remove the flow restrictors from the inlet valve. Simple to do, just a matter of disconnecting the hoses from the back, removing the screen, pulling the orange/red restrictor and plug out with needle nose pliars, replacing the screen, and connecting it back. I didn't even have to pull mine away from the wall. The difference in water flow is night and day though, and it changes your fill time for both wash and rinse from 18-25 minutes, to 5-7 minutes roughly, also shortening your total cycle to around 45 minutes. The machine is going to fill to the level you select regardless of how fast or slow, so it makes no sense why they'd put the restrictors on a model that doesn't auto-sense. 2. ALWAYS always always use the Fabric Softener On/Deep Rinse option, regardless of whether or not you're using FS. By default the machine washes, drains, low speed spins, then turns on the water while slowly turning the tub, for about a minute. Because of the position of the fill flume, the water mainly falls to the edge of the agitator base, and partially towards the bottom of the tub, which means anything against the tub itself doesn't even get touched. I took a video of mine for reference should anyone ask. With FS ON selected, however, the machine washes, spins, and fills again for a complete rinse cycle, just like a traditional washer. The water level selector applies to both wash and rinse, so there's no wonky low water agitation or anything, just full almost-to-the-brim fills as they should be. The only things to really get used to with this machine are the locking lid, and the "sensing" spin at the beginning. Because the washer opens the inlet for a few seconds before this sensing spin, a heavy load may cause the tub to bang against the inside of the cabinet, and sometimes actually move the washer a bit, so for those I just switch the water off for that period. The sensing spin does nothing on this machine because the "data" it collects from the weight and momentum of the tub is cancelled out by the manual water level selector, and the time is governed by your choice of Heavy, Normal, or Light. Other than that, it's been a phenomenal washer. Despite having a 1/3 HP digital inverter motor, it seems to have no problem with super heavy loads. It sounds different at first, but you get used to it. The spin cycle is much faster than traditional washers, and much quieter, especially when it kicks the pump off for the last few minutes and just leaves drive motor running. Everything is always barely damp afterwards, and it seems to be easier on the dryer as well.