Thread Number: 9780
Whirlpool ends Production of KitchenAid Toploaders |
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Post# 180713   1/4/2007 at 13:40 (6,293 days old) by drewz (Alexandria, Virginia)   |   | |
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Wanted to order new set, KitchenAid Suprba top loading washer & gas dryer only to find out that they have stopped production of the last two model sets. KAW 750 & KAW 850 Suprba also all matching dryers. I hate this these were the only two top loading machines in the entire Whirlpool line that had a 10yr warranty on trans! All that's left are the Ensemble front loaders and the Super $$$ Built-In Stainless Steel Set for KitchenAid now. |
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Post# 180811 , Reply# 1   1/4/2007 at 20:00 (6,293 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Post# 180827 , Reply# 2   1/4/2007 at 21:35 (6,293 days old) by oxydolfan1 ()   |   | |
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I have actually seen very few KitchenAid washers in my area. |
Post# 180831 , Reply# 3   1/4/2007 at 21:44 (6,293 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 180839 , Reply# 4   1/4/2007 at 22:18 (6,293 days old) by oxydolfan1 ()   |   | |
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Are the quality differences between KitchenAid and high-end Whirlpool washers of that era more pronounced then, let's say, the KitchenAid and Whirlpool dishwashers of the same period? |
Post# 180866 , Reply# 5   1/5/2007 at 01:02 (6,293 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago)   |   | |
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It totally makes sense that they would do this. KitchenAid is more of a "Kitchen" appliance brand. The laundry never made sense to me. What makes sense to me is WP making Maytag the premier laundry line, since it has far better brand recognition in laundry than KitchenAid ever did. I've only seen 1 actual KitchenAid washer, and it was at a Sears store. Otherwise, the most prominant washers are actually "Maytag" and "whirlpool." I think this is the first time in a long time I actually agree with a company's marketing tactic. |
Post# 180868 , Reply# 6   1/5/2007 at 01:04 (6,293 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago)   |   | |
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It totally makes sense that they would do this. KitchenAid is more of a "Kitchen" appliance brand. The laundry never made sense to me. What makes sense to me is WP making Maytag the premier laundry line, since it has far better brand recognition in laundry than KitchenAid ever did. I've only seen 1 actual KitchenAid washer, and it was at a Sears store. Otherwise, the most prominant washers are actually "Maytag" and "whirlpool." I think this is the first time in a long time I actually agree with a company's marketing tactic. |
Post# 180940 , Reply# 10   1/5/2007 at 14:24 (6,292 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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KA also carried a stronger warranty. My KA dryer has a porcelain top, which I don't think Whirlpool does on their standard TL line. KA electric dryers had (or did at one time) a more robust heating element, IIRC mine was warranted for 5 years. My 1991 760 washer has a layer of fiberglass insulation under the base. My parent's 1994 670 is labeled "Quiet Scrub" but doesn't have the extra insulation layer. Both are 3-speed.
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Post# 180969 , Reply# 11   1/5/2007 at 16:40 (6,292 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)   |   | |
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Here is my 87 Rapid-Advance, all pushbutton model washer. It doesn't have the three speed motor & larger agitator - that came a little later, but I still use this washer a lot and it's sooo pretty! KA washers also had a hot-dipped/galvanized cabinet (no rust) and heavy porcelain on the lid and top. The motor bearings and dryer rollers were heavy bronze usually found in the commercial models, which almost will never give any trouble and the older dryers had a six-ribbed belt which lasts far longer. |
Post# 180981 , Reply# 13   1/5/2007 at 17:56 (6,292 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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KA washers also had a hot-dipped/galvanized cabinet (no rust) and heavy porcelain on the lid and top. The parents' 1994 KA has some rusting under/around the loading port, even creeping up stained on the white porcelain. My 1991 doesn't (not yet, last time I looked). Lacks and Western Auto here carries (carried!) KA toploaders. F&P has a full two-year warranty (still, far as I recall), but I suppose they aren't a major brand. My 1998 F&P GWL08 and DE04 had five years manufacturer warranty (two years full, three more years parts-only for sending in the registration card). They don't do five years any more, that I know. |
Post# 180983 , Reply# 14   1/5/2007 at 18:31 (6,292 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)   |   | |
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Post# 181255 , Reply# 16   1/7/2007 at 01:29 (6,291 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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If you're referring to the drive coupler between the motor and transmission, yes they do break sometimes. They're supposed to be the weak link to protect the transmission against damage in case something jams it, but breakage shouldn't occur *that* often unless of constant overloading, washing shoes (which can cause undue stress on the agitator), etc. The drive coupler in my parents' 1994 KA was replaced on 12/28/2006, which is approximately 12 years of use. My 1991 KA hasn't been used in about two years. As I recall, I replaced the drive coupler on it sometime in summer of 2004, which would be approx 13 years of use. Drying shouldn't take that long. You probably have an obstruction in your vent duct. |
Post# 181312 , Reply# 19   1/7/2007 at 12:39 (6,290 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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I will say that my 1991 KA dryer required setting to the extreme Very Dry position of the auto cycle for jeans and towels to get fully dry in one cycle, but they *did* dry. Two passes through were needed if set on the "normal" dry position. A *full* load may have taken an hour, but *never* two hours. Small to medium loads were correspondingly shorter times. Lighter-weight loads such as sheets and casuals did fine on the "normal" position. How long is your vent ducting and what route does it take from the dryer to the end? If it's 20 or 30 feet long or more, has one or more 90° turns, makes a vertical run, goes through your attic, etc., it may either be excessively long or there may still be some obstruction that got missed during the cleaning. My vent was literally a straight shot through an exterior wall. The wall opening was offset from the dryer outlet so I had to use a section of flex-vent to make the connection. This is not the KA dryer, it's my Fisher & Paykel dryer in the same location, with the same piece of flex-vent. |
Post# 181487 , Reply# 22   1/7/2007 at 22:42 (6,290 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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You mjay have something there about overloading--too large of loads. I have had a 1986 Lady Kenmore (direct-drive) washer. I'm now using a Frigidaire Frontloader that was previously used, brought to me by a club member this fall. In the 20 years of service (and I did do some BobLoads in it), I have never once broken a coupler!!! Hmm On average I did 20-24 loads a month.
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Post# 181718 , Reply# 25   1/8/2007 at 20:53 (6,289 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)   |   | |
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Post# 181721 , Reply# 26   1/8/2007 at 21:02 (6,289 days old) by bpetersxx (laf in on the banks of the Wabash River)   |   | |
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Post# 181727 , Reply# 27   1/8/2007 at 21:23 (6,289 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 181923 , Reply# 30   1/9/2007 at 16:44 (6,288 days old) by zipdang (Portland, OR)   |   | |
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The Superba TL I purchased in 2003 had issues. It had to have both tubs replaced because of leaks, and the timer had to be replaced because it kept shorting out. Once fixed the machine ran for two years without a single service issue, then I got ants in my pants (typical) and got something new. My sister-in-law bought the same washer just weeks after I did, and her machine developed the same timer issues mine had. She's a little "oh...whatever" about those things, so has never scheduled a service call. (If you push the timer in and let it sit for a while it will eventually work again.) I was surprised that both of the machines in my family had what I consider factory defects, as my previous experience with Whirlpool's DD units was that they were very reliable. Perhaps someone on KitchenAid's QC line fell asleep on the job? |
Post# 181986 , Reply# 31   1/9/2007 at 20:34 (6,288 days old) by cny4 (Central New York)   |   | |
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That's is why I was venting about some of the issues with my machines. CR has had Kitchen Aid near the bottom of the list for a few years while Roper is always near the top, what gives? Repair people care to elaborate their experiences? |
Post# 182774 , Reply# 34   1/12/2007 at 18:28 (6,285 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)   |   | |
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Interesting! My 1990 KA toploader was serviced twice in the scant 2 years I owned it. First the timer gave out, then it refused to agitate. Unfortunately, I don't recall what caused the agitation problem. I liked the machine a lot----very sturdy and stylish and porcelained, but I never keep washers to the end of their natural lives. I wanted a FLer again, so the KA was soon out the door. |
Post# 182819 , Reply# 36   1/12/2007 at 21:37 (6,285 days old) by golittlesport (California)   |   | |
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Post# 182954 , Reply# 38   1/13/2007 at 09:26 (6,284 days old) by oxydolfan1 ()   |   | |
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The lid goes "clunk" when you close it... I love the sound of that "clunk". |
Post# 183070 , Reply# 39   1/13/2007 at 20:53 (6,284 days old) by cny4 (Central New York)   |   | |
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I have to agree I think the older KA's were much better. Plus that turquoise agitator with the chrome ring on tops was sweeeet!!!! |
Post# 183102 , Reply# 40   1/14/2007 at 00:59 (6,284 days old) by abcomatic (Bradford, Illinois)   |   | |
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HI, I'll ask this question again. I have a KA washer from 1995 with one repair. Since KA is not making laundry equipment any longer, should I keep this one in hopes that it may be a collectible later on or just junk it when it dies? Thanks, Gary |
Post# 183106 , Reply# 41   1/14/2007 at 01:17 (6,284 days old) by agiflow ()   |   | |
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Definitely hold on to it. What do you have to lose? |
Post# 183113 , Reply# 42   1/14/2007 at 06:27 (6,283 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)   |   | |
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Gary-- It will definitely be a collector's item in the future. Whether you're interested in keeping it that long is up to you. But at some point a very excited person will post here saying "Ohmygod I found a '95 KA toploader!!". The porcelain, the stepped spin speed and larger-than-KM/WP-agitator will set it apart from the WP-built pack. Who knew in the '60s-'70s that the dime-a-dozen center dial Maytags would be so coveted? They seemed pretty pedestrian at the time, but now finding one is cause for celebration. |