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on the hunt for new w/d
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Post# 147113   8/5/2006 at 10:45 (6,444 days old) by sunye ()        

I have been doing some research but with all the info out there it's overwhelming. One thing I need is a washer large enough to clean a king size comforter. Other than that I'm not too picky. So far I've found that GE makes a more reliable machine. I read good and bad though from all brands so I'm not so sure which way to turn. I'd like to hear some opinions on this.




Post# 147118 , Reply# 1   8/5/2006 at 11:34 (6,444 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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If you want to wash a king-size comforter, I'd go with a front-loading washer---in particular, a Whirlpool Duet. There are three Duet models, ranging in list price from $999 to $1400. You can usually pick them up at around $100 less than their list price.

If you want a top-loading washer that will wash a king-size comforter, your choices are limited. The new Kenmore Oasis (or Whirlpool Cabrio, which is almost the same machine) has a large enough tub to hold your comforter. However, these machines use an impeller at the bottom of the tub to move the clothing around rather than a traditional agitator. They are new models and don't have much of a track record established, yet.

I don't think you'll find a top-loader with a traditional agitator that will handle a king-sized comforter.

Here are some models profiled by Consumer Reports. I've only included machines I think will be able to hold a king-size comforter. The new Maytag front-loader is made by Samsung and will probably have a better reliability record than did earlier Maytag Neptune models. Those machines had a lot of problems.

This Whirlpool Duet is the middle model. I don't have a profile for the $999 Model 9150, but it's very similar to the one shown. Just a few less bells and whistles.


Post# 147120 , Reply# 2   8/5/2006 at 11:35 (6,444 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Here's the Kenmore HE3. I believe there is also a slightly less expensive version of this one at Sears.

Post# 147121 , Reply# 3   8/5/2006 at 11:36 (6,444 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
And here's the new Maytag front-loader:

Post# 147122 , Reply# 4   8/5/2006 at 11:37 (6,444 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
This is the new Kenmore Oasis (Whirlpool Cabrio) model. You may be seeing ads for it on TV:

Post# 147123 , Reply# 5   8/5/2006 at 11:40 (6,444 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
Do not buy one of these original-style Maytag Neptunes! They are very trouble-prone. And they don't have a window to see into the machine, either.

Post# 147124 , Reply# 6   8/5/2006 at 11:41 (6,444 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
Finally, here is the list of reliability ratings Consumer Reports has compiled. Happy hunting! Let us know what you wind up buying.

Post# 147128 , Reply# 7   8/5/2006 at 12:21 (6,444 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Thanks for posting these. I wonder about a few things. They say that the reliability data of the Kenmore high efficiency models don't apply for the Oasis. But the reliability of the new Maytag frontloaders seemed to be based on the reliability of the older models.

Didn't they test the GE frontloader? I would be interested in reading about that machine, it's also a big frontloader but much cheaper than the Whirlpool and Kenmore machines.

Interesting too is the fact that Frigidaire topload washers appear to be among the most reliable brands. I won't comment further on that. Otherwise I'd be ducking and running! LOL





Post# 147145 , Reply# 8   8/5/2006 at 14:31 (6,444 days old) by zipdang (Portland, OR)        

zipdang's profile picture
If you're considering a Duet, don't overlook KitchenAid's version, the Ensemble. After deciding I didn't want to wait for Miele's rumored forthcoming 8 Kg machine (I inquired about it and they never e-mailed me back), I bought a new Ensemble pair. They replaced a 3 year-old KA Superba TL set, exactly like the washer Geoff just bought (see thread #7395). So far I absolutely love my Ensembles. The washer is incredibly stable when spinning, more so than the KitchenAid TL it replaced, as well as the Bosch FL before that. My laundry room is on the second floor, and there was a marked floor vibration with the other machines, but not so with the Ensemble. Yay!

I chose the Ensemble over the Duets and Kenmores because of price and warranty. The appliance dealer I frequent gave me a great deal on the set. The washer alone was about $150 less than the closest equivalent Kenmore model, and about $100 less than a Duet 9400. The dryer was less than its sister brands as well. KA also has a 2 year warranty, compared to the other brands' 1 year warranty.

David


Post# 147154 , Reply# 9   8/5/2006 at 15:09 (6,444 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
Sorry everyone--due to copyright issues the photos from CR had to be deleted.

Post# 147186 , Reply# 10   8/5/2006 at 20:32 (6,444 days old) by sunye ()        

Darn it. I was wondering why I couldn't see the pictures. Is there any other way to get that info aside from typing it all yourself? I am more interested in the top loaders for now since I've heard too many problems with the front loaders and the Duet in particular with electrical issues. I found most of my info on epinions.com. I'm just sceptical and this is a big purchase for me so I don't want to regret anything. I appreciate everyones input.

Post# 147226 , Reply# 11   8/5/2006 at 21:29 (6,444 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
The only toploaders that will hold a king-size comforter are the new 'agitatorless' machines; they are the Kenmore Oasis and the Whirlpool Cabrio. GE also makes an impeller-based toploader, the name of which escapes me at the moment.

Since all these new machines have no proven track record, I'd definitely go with a front-loader. I'm surprised you hear so many bad things about the Duet. They have the best reliability ratings from Consumer Reports.

The frontloaders that will hold a king-size comforter are: Whirlpool Duet, Kenmore HE3 or HE4, the LG frontloaders and the new Maytag frontloaders. The GE, Bosch and Frigidaire frontloaders have a somewhat smaller capacity.

Most people here with Duets have had good experiences with them. I know three people with Duets and all of them rave about their machines. Remember that on epinions it's mostly people who have had problems who post. If you go strictly by that, no machine will pass muster. Every brand has problems; some just have more than others.

I suggest you go to the Sears.com site and look at some frontloaders there--and also the Oasis. They have several brands of washers. Then check out whirlpool.com for their washers.



Post# 147285 , Reply# 12   8/6/2006 at 01:57 (6,444 days old) by norgeman ()        
Re: Top loaders that handle king size comforter,

What about the G.E. Harmony seires washer, it is also agitatorless and uses an impeller.

Post# 147290 , Reply# 13   8/6/2006 at 02:42 (6,444 days old) by sactoteddybear ()        
Re: Kitchen Aid Ensembles:

Hi! David zipdang, did you get the White Set or the Meteorite Color Kitchen Aid Ensembles? I'm wanting to hopefully sometime later on soon to look into a new Front-Load Set, if I can get some of my newer Machines Sold. I'm wanting the Kitchen Aid Ensemble Set, in the Meteorite Color and with the Pedestal Drawers.

I've personally thought that the Control Panels and even for some reason the whole Front of the Machines on the Kitchen Aid Set looked better than the Whirlpool and even the Kenmore "HETTY's." The Meteorite Color gives them such a Rich-Look and even a much better Color than the Gray and even Black in my opinion.

I'm also impressed with the Kitchen Aid Warrantee Coverage being 2-Years, instead of only 1-Year Parts and Labor.

I've never really been a fan of White, even though I've got a few White Major Appliances, as well as a couple of Almond Color Appliances.

Enjoy your Ensemble Washer and Dryer Set, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...


Post# 147337 , Reply# 14   8/6/2006 at 15:31 (6,443 days old) by zipdang (Portland, OR)        

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Steve, I chose the white set. The two-tone Meteorite units are very attractive, but white works with my style better, and was priced lower to boot. Also, I'm likely to tire of a novelty color after a while, so at least with white I should be safe for a long time. (Although I do like the blue on Jason's Oasis....)

I agree with you about the styling of the Ensembles. Their design appeals to me more than the Duets and Hetties. They have a more squared, less curvy look to them. So far I'm really happy with them. My only "gripe" is minor, and seems to be common amongst other owners of these machines as well, that the washer can take a long time to balance a load before spinning. But then, that's probably one of the reasons it doesn't shake my floor either!


Post# 147891 , Reply# 15   8/10/2006 at 11:48 (6,439 days old) by sunye ()        

Well I went out today and bought the new Whirlpool Cabrio washer and dryer. They had a nicer model that had a window so you could see your clothes wash/dry but I decided to buy the cheaper one and get the extended warranty. The model I bought does have an agitator but I could have ordered an agitatorless one for more money. The salesman said it should be fine to hold the king size comforter even with the agitator. I went to Lowe's since they have a sale going on. I got 10% off by signing up for their credit card plus rebates for gift cards. I need a new grill so I'll just use it for that :) Total for both pieces after rebates and gift cards was $1268...and that includes 5 years of in home service. I think that was a fair price. Now I hope it lives up to what I think it is. I'll keep you all informed.

Post# 147896 , Reply# 16   8/10/2006 at 12:33 (6,439 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
Great! I think you're the first to own one of the Cabrio's with an agitator. Can you post pictures? Congrats on your purchase and I hope you have many trouble-free loads of laundry.

Post# 147910 , Reply# 17   8/10/2006 at 14:01 (6,439 days old) by sunye ()        

It's going to be delivered tomorrow and I plan to do a huge load of whites so I can see if the dinginess turns to bright white again. I can't wait. I'll be glad to take a few pictures and post them.

Post# 147936 , Reply# 18   8/10/2006 at 19:31 (6,439 days old) by gadgetgary (Bristol,CT)        
Yay!

gadgetgary's profile picture
We like pics...Looking forward to seeing them.

Is this like the model???


Post# 147948 , Reply# 19   8/10/2006 at 22:11 (6,439 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Cool! I just went to the Whirlpool website and they list only 2 Cabrio models. One is the impeller model for $999 (with glass lid) and the other (which has no price listed, it merely says "see dealer") is an agitator model, but with no see-through lid.

Did you take the above pic at Sears, Gary? Maybe they have a temporary exclusive deal to sell the agitator model with the glass lid.


Post# 147961 , Reply# 20   8/10/2006 at 23:32 (6,439 days old) by jonv112 ()        

If you read the manual of the agiator machine, it list in the features section a "See-through Tempered Glass Lid with SolidHold™ Lid Hinge (on some models)". You can also choose if you want the washer to automatically set the water level, or manually set it yourself. That feature would be nice on the HE models.

BTW, I would love to see a video of an entire wash cycle on this particular machine, with Auto and Manual water levels.


Post# 147988 , Reply# 21   8/11/2006 at 06:04 (6,438 days old) by gadgetgary (Bristol,CT)        
Did you take the above pic at Sears, Gary?

gadgetgary's profile picture
That pic was taken on July 4th at Lowe's. At that time, they did not have the model without the agitator.



Post# 148006 , Reply# 22   8/11/2006 at 07:40 (6,438 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Only Lowes

mrb627's profile picture
Me thinks that only Lowes will have the model with the glass lid.

MRB


Post# 148133 , Reply# 23   8/12/2006 at 22:02 (6,437 days old) by tumbler ()        
New w/d

A few months ago I went on the "appliance merry-go-round;" I bought a new-type Maytag Neptune front-loader washer (MAH 6700) and top-line dryer (9700). DO NOT BUY THESE MACHINES-they're junk! I sold the washer, and made Home Depot take the dryer back as it had a designed-in defect in the stainless steel drum which causes it to thump rhythmically. I then bought a Whirlpool Duet HT washer from Sears (the one with all the bells & whistles) and the matching dryer-and I couldn't be happier. King-size duvet/comforter, no problem! Delicate vintage clothing-no problem! Filthy work clothes from my commercial refrigeration business-no problem! Extremely quiet, 1250-r.p.m. spin, heater, etc. does everything they claim it will. Note-the Duet "Sport" will not likely be able to do the big comforters, it's a smaller version. Also it has no real track record yet-it was introduced recently. Also, the full-size Duets are made in Germany (Whirlpool bought the Bauknecht company) and have been on the market since about 2000; the "Sport" is made in Mexico.

Post# 148234 , Reply# 24   8/13/2006 at 16:18 (6,436 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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I've been shopping around and from the FL'ers available to me locally (Whirlpool, KitchenAid, GE, Maytag), the TOL Duet is at the top of my list. However, the Samsung-made Maytag you're referencing is 2nd on the list.

What didn't you like about the washer and dryer (besides the annoying dryer thump)?


Post# 148596 , Reply# 25   8/15/2006 at 16:09 (6,434 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture
Hey guys, can anyone advise on the variations in Duets? A dealer in my town regularly has the washers on sale for under $900 and just lately am noticing that maybe they've fallen under $800. I can't figure out if these are the size that would take the king comforter (a requirement on my next pair) or the claimed 16 pairs of jeans (who owns that many?) I figured "Sport" was a smaller capacity since the price is lower. I want the biggest ones for sure, I've heard enough about Neptunes to know I should steer clear of them, and don't trust GE or LG. So are there particular model numbers that I should be looking for among the Duet/HE/KA front loaders? I also feel like the whole latching mechanism on the Duets are sloppy/flimsy and subject to breakage from the floor models I've checked out. Anybody have any issue with those that they'd like to share, or do the HE or KA latches have a different (better) design?

Post# 148640 , Reply# 26   8/15/2006 at 19:53 (6,434 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
1) Any of the three Duet models will hold a king-size comforter; The Sport models are smaller and will not.

2) Go to whirlpool.com and you can check out all the differences between the three Duet models (TOL has water heater, faster spin speed, more cycles/options).



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