Thread Number: 3318
What washer is best?
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Post# 83475   9/15/2005 at 22:42 (6,768 days old) by compactc9 ()        

I was just wondering what washer is the best to get. I'm more into vacuums. But I do like washers too. I remember when I was about 2 or 3 and I used to like sleeping next to the washer because of the noise it made. The washer and dryer we have now are new Whirlpools only a few months old. Before that we had we had a Kenmore set, thet had the controlls on the front, not the top back, and the washer was a fron loader. From what I have heard, these are made by Frigidaire. And the first ones I remember were a matching Whirlpool set from sometine in the late 80s, I would guess 1987. My mom and dad got them before I was born, so I really have no idea.




Post# 83480 , Reply# 1   9/15/2005 at 23:01 (6,768 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Hi Reggie,

Best washer? Are you referring to a vintage or modern machine? And are you talking about reliability or the "fun factor"?

In my opinion, only one modern machine is fun, and that is the Fisher & Paykel IWL12 top-loader...very splashy machine on fast agitation.

I really prefer vintage to modern. I know many would have different answers as to what the best vintage machine would be, but try to find a GM Frigidaire if you can. Definitely the most fun, with that up-and-down agitator. Here's my Frigidaire 1-18, a 1978 Model WC in action...I know there are more out there waiting to be discovered!


Post# 83483 , Reply# 2   9/15/2005 at 23:52 (6,768 days old) by FrontLoadFan (Wellfleet, Ma.)        
Define What Is Important

Before you can determine which machine is best for you, you will need to list out those features you really want. First, do you want a top loader or a front loader? Front loaders are considered to be better machines (clean clothes more gently, better, and use far less water to do it), but you tend to pay more (sometimes way more) to get a front loader. A really good top-of-the line front loader (like the Whirlpool Duet or the Kenmore HE4) will cost between $1,300 to $1,500. On the hand, there are smaller front loaders that can be had for under $600. Keep in mind that if you do lots and lots of laundry, you can actually save over $100 a year runing a front loader rather than a top loader. If you do only two or three loads a week, you probably wouldn't save all that much.

Options for Front Loaders:
Stainless Steel washing tub
Really large capacity (3.5 to 3.81)
Internal water heater
Sanitize Cycle (not all machine with water heater will heat to sanitize)
Really fast spin speed (1,200 is considered very fast)

If you are going with a conventional top loader, a top of the line machine can be had for under $600. A basic top loader can be had for under $300.

Once you have started to focus onto specific machines, you may need to go to a large forum to read about specific machines. Check out "ths.gardenweb.com" They have a laundry forum that has tons of postings on all the various washing machines.

Good luck.


Post# 83563 , Reply# 3   9/16/2005 at 23:15 (6,767 days old) by compactc9 ()        

I was mainly asking about which brands or models had the best durability and longest life. Best really isn't a good word for that. Also, this might be a dangerous question, but are the new Whirlpool wahsers and dryers any good? Someone told me that the frame that everything is mounted to is too flexable on the new ones and eventually breaks. Is this true?

When I get my own house and have my own appliances, I do want older vintage ones. Just like vacuums, I like all appliances better vintage.


Post# 83595 , Reply# 4   9/17/2005 at 10:40 (6,767 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture
If I were buying a net top load washer,Whirlpool is one of the few I would look at.I've never seen one with a broken frame.
kennyGF


Post# 83946 , Reply# 5   9/19/2005 at 13:33 (6,765 days old) by PeterH770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
Speed Queen

Post# 83952 , Reply# 6   9/19/2005 at 14:15 (6,765 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Miele

Post# 83992 , Reply# 7   9/19/2005 at 19:01 (6,765 days old) by super32 (Blackstone Massachusetts)        

super32's profile picture
GE Profile

Post# 83998 , Reply# 8   9/19/2005 at 19:21 (6,764 days old) by lavamat_jon (UK)        

Indesit :-p

Post# 84056 , Reply# 9   9/20/2005 at 03:59 (6,764 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
LOL

Post# 84057 , Reply# 10   9/20/2005 at 04:05 (6,764 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        

chestermikeuk's profile picture
MaytAsko

Post# 84115 , Reply# 11   9/20/2005 at 10:12 (6,764 days old) by agiflow ()        

Soon to be Maypool

Post# 84284 , Reply# 12   9/21/2005 at 06:26 (6,763 days old) by hooverac216 ()        

hotpoint

Post# 85504 , Reply# 13   9/27/2005 at 10:09 (6,757 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)        

laundromat's profile picture
top loading? the new Maytag models the agitation stroke goes further as it ossolates back and forth and it spins about 680 rpms with the water in the tub.the tub does not shake back and forth during agitation or spin as the machine has a six point suspension system made of solid steel not thin metal (the direct drive as well as GE's do that a lot)
front loading? LG Tromm.This washer does so many things using no pullies,no gears, no belts.The flat direct drive motor is directly connected to the drive shaft like a pully.the tub is on a 10 degree tilt back and the water usage is no more than 18 gallons per load.It can easily wash a full king size bed set with room to spare and the final spin is 1100 rpms!!!! It is so quiet that you could sleep right in front of it!!


Post# 85514 , Reply# 14   9/27/2005 at 10:59 (6,757 days old) by westingcan ()        
What washer is best?

Hi, I couldn't agree more with Laundromat. I just bought one of these Maytags and the results are very good. The spins get the clothes quite dry and the wrinkle guard system actually works - much less ironing. The machine is stable during spins. Spin rinses start flushing as soon as the water is almost pumped out resulting in little to no suds residue in the rinse water. The machine's capacity is 3.3 cu ft and you can easily wash a queen size comforter. I bought the Performa PAV244 model. The tub has better access than the Whirlpools - wider and not as deep. 10 year warranty on transmission, 5 years on the motor.

I think these Maytags have gotten a bit of a bum wrap - maybe rightly so initially. My machine is revision 23 of this model so obviously there has been some re-engineering to correct past problems.

This is a satisfactory product for the money in my opinion.



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