Thread Number: 81605  /  Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
DD washer recommendation
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Post# 1056221   1/1/2020 at 21:21 (1,547 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

Hi,

I'd like to buy a DD washer. Which models do you recommend and how to identify them by pictures? Sometimes Craigslist pictures are not very clear.
Also WTB gas dryer. I saw a few new ones in a stores like WP, Maytag, Roper, Amana with top lint filter starting at $400. Are those good? I don't see a lot of gas dryers on CL.
Would buy FL instead, since I already have TL (MT MWVP575GW), but don't want to spend tons of money right now.





Post# 1056233 , Reply# 1   1/1/2020 at 23:24 (1,547 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
washer models with the speed selector seem to give the endless variable of cycle/options to handle just about any load...

usually you can find matched sets at used appliance stores...including gas dryers...


Post# 1056241 , Reply# 2   1/2/2020 at 04:34 (1,547 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Best choice is a 3-speeder with a separate speed control ... Kenmore (90 series, maybe some 80 series) and Whirlpool (sometimes labeled as WP "Gold") had several such models.

Also KitchenAid which may be harder to find.  Some later KA models have a Fabric Select control and a separate "Hand Wash" switch.  Early KA models had the speeds programmed into the timer cycles, no separate control, but some still are 3-speeders.  KA was known for having a larger base on the agitator with larger fins and running high agitation at medium motor speed (same as low on a 2-speeder) and low agitation at the lowest motor speed.


Post# 1056243 , Reply# 3   1/2/2020 at 06:13 (1,547 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        
yugi

pierreandreply4's profile picture
yugi if you can afford having a washer dryer set ship from canada to your home this site has a kitchenaid washer dryer set with speed selector

www.econopluselectromenag...

they also have this whirlpool set as well you can also slect the agitation speed but not 100% sure

www.econopluselectromenag...


Post# 1056253 , Reply# 4   1/2/2020 at 08:24 (1,547 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

Pierreandreply4,

Your links are broken. I'd like to see the picture of control panel and speed selector of one of such washers, so I can identify them. Maybe you can post some from craigslist or somewhere else?


Post# 1056257 , Reply# 5   1/2/2020 at 09:26 (1,547 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        

pierreandreply4's profile picture
here are the pics kitchenaid and whirlpool found these pics on kijji yugi this is the best i could find with a closeup of the control panel for the washer dryer sets and sorry for the broken links

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Post# 1056259 , Reply# 6   1/2/2020 at 09:32 (1,547 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
there are used appliance stores all around you in the Knoxville area....

look for a machine with 4 knobs and a timer.....the one closest to the timer is for speed selections...


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Yogitunes's LINK on Knoxville Craigslist


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Post# 1056261 , Reply# 7   1/2/2020 at 09:48 (1,547 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

I found a few ones like this:
knoxville.craigslist.org/ppd/d/g...

knoxville.craigslist.org/ppd/d/g...

What about this one?
knoxville.craigslist.org/app/d/k...


Post# 1056266 , Reply# 8   1/2/2020 at 10:18 (1,546 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        

repairguy's profile picture
Yes those are all direct drive machines.

Post# 1056269 , Reply# 9   1/2/2020 at 11:07 (1,546 days old) by Whatsername (Denver, CO)        

whatsername's profile picture
Get the whirlpool resource saver, those are cool as hell!

Post# 1056270 , Reply# 10   1/2/2020 at 11:49 (1,546 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Yes, your 2nd link is a (rare) Resource Saver model which dates to circa 1996, although it could be a little newer depending on how long they were produced.  The serial number is coded for the manufacture year & week.  Any DD machine of your interest that you go by a seller to examine, get the serial number and either report it here for decoding or check it at an online decoding source such as Appliance411.com to determine the age of it.

Pic 2:  Resource Saver runs a series of shower/recirculation spin rinses on the one "Normal" full wash cycle, not an agitated deep rinse.

The separate Rinse/Spin cycle is provided to run a deep-fill agitated rinse if desired after the load finishes on the Normal cycle.  Or the Normal cycle can be manually stopped a couple mins after the Spin flag, before the Spin/Spray Rinsing sequence begins and reset to Rinse Only.

Pic 3:  There are two temperature controls.  The Soak/PreWash Temperature switch controls the temp for *only* that cycle.

The Normal/Rinse & Spin Temperature switch with AccuWash (automatic temperature control) controls the temp for the Normal and the Rinse & Spin cycles.  The hottest wash water temperature available on the Normal cycle is approx 100°F.  Warm is controlled to approx 75°F (for the Warm Wash/Cold Rinse and Warm Wash/Warm Rinse choices).

Or the machine can be filled with Hot water or non-controlled Warm on the Prewash cycle to the selected water level, then reset to the desired wash time on Normal.

It's two-speed, not 3-speed, if that is of any specific concern, although it has Intermittent Low for a more gentle Hand Wash action.  Spin speed is always High during from the Spin/Spray Rinsing period to the end on the Normal cycle regardless of the speed switch position.

Here's a video of the Resource Saver Normal cycle (on low agitation and spin speed).  Note that neutral drain fails so it does a spin-drain after the wash, which is not normal operation.  It speeds up to high spin at 14:05.  The first spray/recirculate rinse sequence begins at 16:04.





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Post# 1056271 , Reply# 11   1/2/2020 at 12:04 (1,546 days old) by 70skid (Texas)        

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Hi. First time poster here.

My 2005 Kenmore Series 70 DD has been very reliable. Has only needed a replacement lid switch in nearly 15 years of regular service. The Whirlpool DD Kenmores seem pretty simple and tough.


Post# 1056273 , Reply# 12   1/2/2020 at 12:21 (1,546 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        
Resource Saver temperature selection

I wonder if that machine could be easily modified to basilcy swap the temperature selectors.

Basicly just changing over the terminals for the wash fill with the ones for the soak fill.

Can't find a service manual to verify that that could work, but if it did, the Soak temp dial would select wash temperature, the main temp dial the soak temperature and rinse temperature.



Wasn't there a RS model that had an automatic extra rinse switch as well?
I think I have seen such a thing but I might be completly wrong as well.


Post# 1056274 , Reply# 13   1/2/2020 at 12:38 (1,546 days old) by rosie (Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada)        
DD ID

This video tells you all about the direct drive washer and how to identify one.






Post# 1056288 , Reply# 14   1/2/2020 at 16:10 (1,546 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

Great, I may buy that Whirlpool.

Meanwhile I found another one, what do you say about this one?



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Post# 1056312 , Reply# 15   1/2/2020 at 17:58 (1,546 days old) by potatochips ( )        

There is also the super high end Kenmore Elite models which had the Catalyst wash system. Any of the wide, rear opening lid Kenmores are usually TOL, with most in that style having automatic dispensers for bleach, detergent, and fabric softener.

 

Hey Yogi, or anyone, what was the total water consumption for the WSSR compared to the regular DD?


Post# 1056320 , Reply# 16   1/2/2020 at 18:58 (1,546 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        

repairguy's profile picture
That’s a nice direct drive also. Probably an early 2000’s model.

Post# 1056378 , Reply# 17   1/3/2020 at 09:37 (1,546 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

The Resource Saver was sold, unfortunately. Will continue looking.

Post# 1056383 , Reply# 18   1/3/2020 at 11:01 (1,545 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        
yugi

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yugi what are your toughs on this set my grandmother before her ilness and passing away had this particular set that she bough in 2009 she bough the matching dryer in 2009 after her vintage 40 year dryer the heating element stop working

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Post# 1056395 , Reply# 19   1/3/2020 at 14:01 (1,545 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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IIRC there was a reliability rating of the direct drive on the internet somewhere. It appeared that the more simple machines were more reliable than the machines with more options/speeds. KitchenAid had a higher repair score than Roper. The cheaper ones have less things to break down I guess.

Post# 1056475 , Reply# 20   1/4/2020 at 13:33 (1,544 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

Is this is good one?


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Post# 1056476 , Reply# 21   1/4/2020 at 13:41 (1,544 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Yes, but needs a lot of clean-up!


Post# 1056479 , Reply# 22   1/4/2020 at 14:21 (1,544 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

What would be a good price for it?

Post# 1056498 , Reply# 23   1/4/2020 at 18:14 (1,544 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

stricklybojack's profile picture
.
$100 give or take if needing significant cleaning.
Make sure the agitator agitates, the tub spins, and the machine fills and drains.


Post# 1056508 , Reply# 24   1/4/2020 at 20:27 (1,544 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

lordkenmore's profile picture

The cheaper ones have less things to break down I guess.

 

Probably. And it's my attitude in general that More Features = More Stuff To Break.

 

That said, I'm not sure I'd suggest a low end DD model. Those would have a 1 speed motor that runs fast all the time, which might make it more likely to be a "Shredmore." I think a model with at least a 2 speed motor that can allow lower speed wash/fast spin is probably better for clothes.

 

Of course, if all one washes is really tough clothing--or if one just doesn't care about the clothes--a 1 speed model might be OK.


Post# 1056641 , Reply# 25   1/5/2020 at 20:32 (1,543 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

She is willing to sell it for $100. Should I buy it?
It seems to be a model KAWS850LQ1


Post# 1056645 , Reply# 26   1/5/2020 at 20:42 (1,543 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        

repairguy's profile picture
Yes I think the kitchenaid would be a great choice for $100.

Post# 1056649 , Reply# 27   1/5/2020 at 21:23 (1,543 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        

pierreandreply4's profile picture
buy it you will give it new life kitchenaid washers and dryers are now in the rare gem category since they stop making them to focus more on kitchen appliances

Post# 1056795 , Reply# 28   1/7/2020 at 18:48 (1,541 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

I bought it. It was produced in October 2006. It was pretty dirty, but I disassembled and cleaned it. The only omission is that the door lip seal is missing, and agitator's inner cap O-ring may need to be replaced. Cleaned and lubricated the O-ring and splines. What do you recommend as a replacement of lip seal?
Will something like that work?

The washer is pretty basic though, compared to my Miele W1926, where I can control almost everything, which is 15 years old. But for $100 I can't complain.

Now on to a gas dryer. What do you recommend?


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Post# 1056808 , Reply# 29   1/7/2020 at 20:22 (1,541 days old) by 70skid (Texas)        
Sweet Purchase

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Congrats on your DD acquisition ! How were the dogs in the agitator ? Many DD machines owned by the un-knowing public have shot dogs and have operated for years with non-functional augers.

I hope your Kitchen Aid delivers many years of excellent cleaning performance !


Post# 1056814 , Reply# 30   1/7/2020 at 21:07 (1,541 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

I think the dogs are fine. How do you tell?

Post# 1056815 , Reply# 31   1/7/2020 at 21:19 (1,541 days old) by 70skid (Texas)        
Dogs

70skid's profile picture
The upper auger should turn clockwise during agitation with each clockwise stroke of the transmission - - completing continuous 360 degree rotations while the lower (main) agitator makes its back and forth strokes . Shot dogs will result in the auger remaining stationary or moving inconsistently (perhaps skipping a clockwise stroke). With good dogs, you can only spin the auger in one direction when the agitator is stopped.

Post# 1056856 , Reply# 32   1/8/2020 at 10:14 (1,540 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

The dogs are good then.
What about gas dryer recommendation? Any advise on that?


Post# 1056858 , Reply# 33   1/8/2020 at 10:27 (1,540 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        

pierreandreply4's profile picture
yugi if you do not mind owning mismatch sets i would reccomend this maytag gas dryer 7.4 capacity

www.homedepot.ca/product/...


Post# 1056866 , Reply# 34   1/8/2020 at 10:47 (1,540 days old) by 70skid (Texas)        
Dryer

70skid's profile picture
Sorry....I don’t have any good advice on a gas dryer as I have only ever owned electric.

Post# 1056870 , Reply# 35   1/8/2020 at 11:37 (1,540 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

Pierreandreply4,

I have electric version of this dryer, and it's great. Got it pretty cheap, at $490 via price match on credit card. However the gas one seems to be hard to find and also expensive, the cheapest I found is around $730 right now. I don't want to pay that much for the dryer.
Meanwhile I found Kenmore gas dryer for $50 on Facebook:
What do you think?


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Post# 1056877 , Reply# 36   1/8/2020 at 13:01 (1,540 days old) by stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

stricklybojack's profile picture
.
Show pic of $50 Kenmore, probably a good buy depending.


Post# 1056880 , Reply# 37   1/8/2020 at 13:10 (1,540 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
any Kenmore/Whirlpool dryer will function best for anyones needs.....one of the best programs for the most wrinkle free results clothing every time...


lint filter on top....both machines depends on what space you have available....as this model usually only comes in 29 inch cabinet...less maintenance from build up of lint....

lint filter up front behind door......tends to build up lint inside a lot, requiring frequent cleaning.....usually a 27 inch cabinet

I prefer a drop down door....really helps loading the machine.....others prefer a side swing door....pick what works best for you.....

adding a pedestal or building a platform to raise the dryer will really help a lot....

gas dryers are always a bit more expensive than electric counterparts.....but the small price increase most times will be made up in the savings of using Gas


I usually prefer matched sets....if available.....but search again to all your local used appliance shops.....you may find a match to your washer......

no matter what you choose....underneath their all Whirlpool/Kenmore/KitchenAid

its as simple as that!

this was the Kitchen Aid set I had.....loved the glass door of the dryer with internal lighting...


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Post# 1056908 , Reply# 38   1/8/2020 at 17:17 (1,540 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

stricklybojack,

The one in my previous message is $50 Kenmore gas dryer.


Post# 1057090 , Reply# 39   1/9/2020 at 21:55 (1,539 days old) by stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

stricklybojack's profile picture
.
get that $50 dryer. good era, and it's the simpler top-filter design.
very fair price, and very easy to clean out the crud that no doubt lurks.


Post# 1057099 , Reply# 40   1/9/2020 at 22:33 (1,539 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

Bought it for $50, the guy replaced the roller, since it was not concentric anymore. Was pretty dirty inside, a lot of lint and dust, cleaned it inside and out. Electric part works, igniter lights up, but I don't have a gas line yet, ordered from Home Depot. It's was produced in October 2000 in Marion, OH, according to appliance411.com

Post# 1057102 , Reply# 41   1/9/2020 at 23:12 (1,539 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        

repairguy's profile picture
Congrats! You now have an excellent performing laundry pair that will last for many more years in my opinion. Should they need repair, most are relatively simple on these machines and I believe parts will be available for a long time yet due to the long production spans of these machines. Enjoy!

Washer design approximately 1981-2009

Dryer design approximately 1965-present


Post# 1059580 , Reply# 42   2/4/2020 at 12:58 (1,513 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

Here is my "new" laundry pair.
I connected the dryer to gas line, but it didn't ignite. It needed new coils, so ordered new coils from Amazon for $5, also replaced lint screen housing foam seal ($3 from Walmart), and on the washer I replaced agitator cap o-ring, which was $5 from Amazon, including cap. For the lid seal, I used weather strip (pictured) from Walmart ($3).
This washer is much better than Maytag MVWP575GW, which I also have, since you can control water level, agitation, and temperature, and allows warm rinse, though the temperature of the warm water was not that warm, but it still too primitive when compared to my Miele W1926, although the cycles are much faster. Dryer is good too, dries fast, and cheaper to have compared to my electric Maytag MEDP575GW.
Overall, I'm pretty happy. Though I don't understand what "Extra Rinse" option gives, I didn't see much difference. Also what is "Reset" position on the water level switch? How to use it?


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Post# 1059590 , Reply# 43   2/4/2020 at 15:16 (1,513 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Extra Rinse adds a 2nd deep fill & agitated rinse but it's probably functional only on the Normal cycle (can't see the timer details clearly on your picture).  There may be a brief pause while the timer advances through what is otherwise an Off position until the machine begins filling.

Reset is to change the fill to a higher level after the machine has started agitating.  If you check the machine after agitation starts and see that there isn't enough water, or you just want more, turn the knob to Reset until the motor stops and fill begins, then immediately turn it back toward the desired higher level.  It is not necessary to turn the knob to Reset when initially selecting a level for the load before starting.

Your water level is fully variable between the lowest and highest fill levels ... you can set at any position, it doesn't have to specifically be at one of the five marked load sizes.


Post# 1059606 , Reply# 44   2/4/2020 at 17:54 (1,513 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

Oh, I see, so it will advance to Extra Rinse. Will it also advance from Soak/Prewash to Normal?
Thanks for the explanation of Reset position.
Here is a picture of the timer.


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Post# 1059610 , Reply# 45   2/4/2020 at 18:02 (1,513 days old) by appnut (TX)        

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It will automatically advance to the 2nd rinse as long as the 2nd rinse knob is set to "on"  No, it will not automatically advanced from soak/prewash to Normal.  You will have to do that yourself.  That's a feature on a higher-up model.  


Post# 1059641 , Reply# 46   2/5/2020 at 08:42 (1,513 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

Isn't it a TOL model already?

Post# 1059651 , Reply# 47   2/5/2020 at 11:07 (1,512 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Seems it was the TOL for that model-year.  Not all TOL or near-TOL models have automatic soak-to-wash.  Part of the reason may be so the user can select a cycle (Perm Press) other than Normal for the full wash after the soak.


Post# 1059675 , Reply# 48   2/5/2020 at 17:05 (1,512 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        
just from the timer and dial pic looks like a 3 cycle model

pierreandreply4's profile picture
looks like a 3 cycle model since you can slect wash spin speed normal perment press and soak at least from my observation

Post# 1059786 , Reply# 49   2/6/2020 at 15:46 (1,511 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

Normal, Perm Press, and what is the third cycle?

Post# 1059791 , Reply# 50   2/6/2020 at 16:52 (1,511 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture

Soak Cycle/PreWash is the 3rd cycle.  


Post# 1059792 , Reply# 51   2/6/2020 at 16:54 (1,511 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        
Normal, Permanent Press and Soak.....

yogitunes's profile picture
yeah, what were those three cycles again?



in Kenmore terms, wouldn't it be a 9+ cycle machine?.....times 5 speed selections, would that be 45?.....

and who said 'Normal' was just a cycle on a washing machine?




Post# 1059823 , Reply# 52   2/6/2020 at 19:57 (1,511 days old) by yugi (Knoxville, TN)        

What's the difference between Normal and Perm Press?

Post# 1059826 , Reply# 53   2/6/2020 at 20:56 (1,511 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Perm Press has a cool down sequence.  Partial drain (until the water level pressure switch resets), then pause for the rest of that 2-min timer increment.  Refill (always use a cold rinse for PP) and agitate two mins, then proceed with the rest of the cycle (drain, spin, rinse, spin).  The final spin speed may (or may not) override the speed switch selection with 2 mins of low speed and 2 mins of high, or maybe 4 mins of low ... depends on the "programming" of it.

True Perm Press items need a warm (or even hot) wash to relax the fabric and shed wrinkles but shouldn't be spun while warm to avoid resetting wrinkles ... the cool down helps take care of that.



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