Thread Number: 86057  /  Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
I never knew it would be this hard to find a replacement for my 18-yr old medium-sized Kenmore front 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 1106223   1/30/2021 at 00:12 (1,181 days old) by TUBerosa (Topeka, Kansas, United States)        

My house is a Craftsman-style bungalow built in 1935. The owner before me had the washer-dryer plumbing and setup moved from the unfinished basement to the kitchen. She had side-by-side washer and dryer, but I got a new Kenmore (made by Frigidaire) stacked set in January 2003 (washer manufactured 10/2002), and use the gained space for pantry storage and a cart that holds my toaster oven. I have been quite pleased with this clothes washer over the years, except when it deposits new gray marks on my clothes. Overall, I am very fond of this washing machine (model 417.42142100). The dryer still works fine, though I seldom use it. I mostly hang my laundry up to air dry.

Earlier this month I heard a terrible loud sound and continued very loud sound during spinning. The door locked on me. I learned after googling to try the unplug for a while trick. This worked to unlock the door. There was also leaking of water onto the floor (like a fourth of a cup). I got a repair person out, and he quickly said the bearings were bad and that I need to get a new machine, because to fix my current one would cost thousands of dollars. I had a phone call with another appliance repair person as a second opinion. He was much more personable than the first guy, but basically agreed. And I have come to accept this after watching YouTube videos, googling, and reading on forums like here. So thank you.

My current machine is a wonderful medium size that works great in the space I have available for it in the kitchen. Here are this Kenmore front-loader's dimensions:
Width -- 26.6 inches
Depth -- 25 inches
Height-- 34.5 inches

The last picture in my post shows the layout, though it isn't to scale. There is actually a narrower space down the galley than my drawing shows.

The current door opening between the kitchen and front of house is only 26 inches. If the swinging door is removed, the space can go to 29.75.

If trying to exit through the back door, the space between the refrigerator and the sink counter is 26.25. If the refrigerator door is removed, a few inches could be gained, though this may be hard? The back door allows 28.3.

Apparently, a medium sized front-loader with a capacity of around 3.1 cubic feet is hard to find. Except for an expensive Speed Queen, it looks like I will have to stuff a considerably bigger machine in the way of my galley walk, or else downsize to the small loads of officially compact machines (2.6 down to 1.6), and have to run more loads.

Since my current dryer runs fine, I don't want to buy a new one. I am thinking of having the new washing machine installed as a side by side initially, and then having a separate handyman build a sturdy platform for me to place around and above the new washer, and putting my old dryer on the platform with secured corners, so I can have my pantry back. Do you know of such a thing being done?

I am also interested in hearing front-loader make/model recommendations you have for me for this space.
- TUBerosa

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Post# 1106232 , Reply# 1   1/30/2021 at 03:58 (1,181 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
shop around, you may find a good replacement......at these prices, you could get a spare.....

CLICK HERE TO GO TO Yogitunes's LINK


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Post# 1106247 , Reply# 2   1/30/2021 at 11:38 (1,181 days old) by jamiel (Detroit, Michigan and Palm Springs, CA)        

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To give a little more context to Yogi's response...these Frigidaire-made units were made by the hundreds of thousands, and are relatively easily available used, and if you look really hard you might be able to find one NOS (brand new). They were offered under multiple brand names (Frigidaire/Gibson/Kenmore/GE and probably others). It looks like they fit perfectly for your space, and because of that you might even want to get a couple if you've got basement space. Look at all the nearby resources (used appliance stores, FB, CL, etc) and buy the best couple you can find. They will all stack perfectly with the existing dryer. Happy hunting---they were a very good product.

I know the pain of having a perfectly-fitting kitchen messed up with the failure of an appliance---my folks (granted 40 years ago) had a 24 inch GE stove from the '50s next to a standard dishwasher, which allowed adequate space for a pass-through to the outside back door (6" more stove would have ruined access).

Post# 1106248 , Reply# 3   1/30/2021 at 11:40 (1,181 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

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My neighbor had the same model that started banging and leaking water. Sears service removed the top to find a big hole smashed thru the outer plastic tub and the inner tub all afloat. Repair cost estimate was way more than it cost when new.

Post# 1106253 , Reply# 4   1/30/2021 at 12:41 (1,181 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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to each his own.....but by the looks of the setup....I would have the units side by side, add a countertop for much needed space....and open the window area up for more natural light....

but, what ever works for you.....

Post# 1106255 , Reply# 5   1/30/2021 at 13:00 (1,181 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        
Is depth an issue?

 First on the load size thing:
Dunno if you load these up fully, but either way, washers are tested with 8lbs loads anyway.

And in either machine, 8lbs is nothing.

Newer machines are perfectly happy and efficient for that matter loaded 3/4 or even just half.
Load sensing does go a long way.

Best way to look at it: Most dryers are only 7cuft plus minus, and usually dryer size should be twice washer size.





Now to your situation:

As far as I see, additional depth might be the easiest to account for.

Today's US standard width for FLs is 27", which should easily fit.



Thing is most are deeper.
Usually in the realm of 31".


If you buy them anywhere get them delivered or installed.
Lifting the washer up over the counter should work.
Is kind of a awkward carry, but nothing that can't be done.


I would stear away from Samsung.
They often get a bad wrap once you get a couple of years in.

LGs are considered decent performers.
Going with a mid-range model is usually a good idea (TurboWash and a heater).
Main complaint is wash temperature (many cycles not getting hot enough unless you go straight Sanitize setting).
These are just shy of 31" deep at 4.5cuft.

Whirlpool calls their slimmer washers "closet depth" at 4.3 or 4.4 cuft and just above 31" deep.
These are somewhat debated as well. They perform nicely, spin nicely.
They offer automatic liquid dosing if that is a thing that interests you.
But they have become "plastic bombers" and we had a report of failure under warranty already.



Electrolux is one I like to recommend.
They aren't the fastest or best featured.
But washing technology wise nothing more advanced exists.
Avoid the entry level model so you get a heater.
Reliability has been well throughout all generations.
If you ever plan on getting a matching dryer they have been consistently reported as the most delicate on clothing and pretty on point in terms of sensing.
They are 31" and a little.




On compacts:
The thing is that compact dryers are usually NOT vented.
They are condensers, which in any way take about 1.5 to twice as long for the same load.

So in case you ever have to replace the dryer, you'd probably want to get full size dryer anyway.

And then you'd have to fit that in there anyway, so going through the hazzle now and getting a washer through there might just as well happen.



But if you look at compacts:

Most manufacturers offer one compact or another.

LGs compacts are the closest to their full size ones.

Samsung on the other hand offers (or at least offered) vented compacts which are somewhat faster.

Whirlpool, Miele and Beko offer heat pump dryers.
They use a compressor system instead of a heater. They take a bit longer than a normal compact condenser dryer and have an additional filter to clean, but save about 60% of electricity and are far gentler.

All of these offerings are on sale over here more or less unchanged.
LG is a mid-range brand, they have ok reliability.
Samsung is still hit m miss.
Whirlpool is a budget brand with questionable washer reliability.
Miele is really expensive.
Beko is ok quality for a decent price.
Electrolux compacts are good performers, but similarly to Whirlpool have issues, especially in the bearing department.

Post# 1106260 , Reply# 6   1/30/2021 at 15:50 (1,181 days old) by TUBerosa (Topeka, Kansas, United States)        

Thank you all for the replies! I really appreciate it.
A lot of your comments are what I have also been thinking or have seen in my searches in the past few weeks. Except I had not known my current style made by Frigidaire was as common as Jamiel and Yogi post. I had not found any like it in the used places I tried in person, nor on Craigslist or Facebook. I only tried two in-person used places, though, and one seems to be closed down and the other did not have any front-loaders in stock.
If I go with brand new, the places I have been to in person to look are Factory Direct Appliance {small chain based around Kansas City}, Menards, Lowe's, and Home Depot. Best Buy is another in my town I can try. I haven't ruled out the places I have been to, but I just like to see the options.

Just now I went to Craigslist and see there is a post within the last day that looks like something I might accept. It isn't a brand I was willing to buy new probably, due to reliability issues I think it was, but for such a low price I may give it a try for however much longer it lasts. The seller is selling a Whirlpool front-loader and GE dryer (not connected, and dryer not stackable), but selling as a pair for $125. He/she says they work fine but the person is moving to a new apartment with washer and dryer already provided. I am about to text the seller to ask for more info. He/she didn't say any dimensions or model numbers or how old the machines are. The dryer of the set I guess I would store in my basement or resell or something.

I know Consumer Reports is so big on LG currently, and I mentally resisted for a while. But I have come to be leaning towards it now, if I get new.

Depth has definitely been an issue, Henene. Over the past few weeks I have come to sort of reluctantly accept/be willing to go from my current 25 inches up to around 32 inches.

I only learned the importance of at least occasionally running a hot water load to maintain the machine recently (since my machine broke and I have done all this reading). The vast majority of my loads I do entirely in cold. So I don't care about how well different models get to the hottest possibility. I did use some heat occasionally, and will keep in mind for the future that it helps flush gunk out. I put a good amount of value on keeping my clothes usable for many years (not beat up by an agitator or dryer), and also not using too much water or electricity if the efficient way meets my needs.

Yogi, I have also been considering the side-by-side and having horizontal shelving built above it. I hadn't thought of a counter, though.






Post# 1106312 , Reply# 7   1/30/2021 at 23:35 (1,180 days old) by TUBerosa (Topeka, Kansas, United States)        

Update: the seller has not replied to my text regarding a used set for sale on Craigslist.

Post# 1106323 , Reply# 8   1/31/2021 at 05:48 (1,180 days old) by retro-man (- boston,ma)        

Just a thought, how about moving the laundry back down to the basement, can have full size machines next to each other. You can open the kitchen back up have the window exposed again and gain more counter space.

Jon

Post# 1106406 , Reply# 9   1/31/2021 at 20:41 (1,179 days old) by TUBerosa (Topeka, Kansas, United States)        

Retro-Man, it has crossed my mind a little. My basement is unfinished and I don't like going down there much. And I wouldn't like having to carry laundry loads up and down the stairs. My house is quite a humble abode in some ways, but one thing I love is that it has windows to all four directions of exposure. The window that the washer/dryer blocks faces north, and there are other ones in the kitchen, mud room and dining room also facing north, so this one isn't super important to me. The counter space for the kitchen would be great. I think I want to keep laundry ease of access at the kitchen, though. Perhaps side-by-side in the kitchen is growing on me. I would then try to have some storage shelving installed higher up above the side-by-side washer and dryer.

Post# 1106407 , Reply# 10   1/31/2021 at 21:00 (1,179 days old) by MaytagNeptune (FireAlarmTechGuy4444 on YouTube. Interlochen MI)        
Replacement.

 maytagneptune's profile picture
Add a 240 VAC circut, Asko

Post# 1106535 , Reply# 11   2/2/2021 at 16:01 (1,178 days old) by TUBerosa (Topeka, Kansas, United States)        

I am pretty set on front-load if I go with a brand new machine. The Asko brand is somewhat rare in my area, and I am not yet convinced of it. I am highly considering something similar, a Miele. The entry level Miele, WWB020, starts at around $1200. (The entry level Miele model doesn't have TwinDos. I would like TwinDos, but I don't think I am willing to pay the price that it costs to have it on a Miele.) I am mentally trying to decide if I can still be happy moving from a 3.1 cubic foot capacity (my now broken machine) to 2 point something in a compact. Oddly (to me), Miele won't state the cubic foot capacity of this model, when it will for the other models it makes. For this one, it says the capacity is 8 kg of dry laundry.
I am also considering the Speed Queen FF7 (FF7008WBN), for $1,600, and 3.5 cu.ft., but dang, that is a lot of money for me. Miele is $400 lower.
The Speed Queen warranty is five years, while Miele's is only one. In a thread comment on Wirecutter, a consumer who liked their Miele said Miele guarantees parts availability for 15 years from when a model is sold. The Speed Queen isn't as energy efficient or gentle on clothes, it seems? I know that is the case with S.Q.'s top loaders, but I am not sure how gentle their front loaders are.

Post# 1111859 , Reply# 12   3/17/2021 at 20:10 (1,134 days old) by The_Z_Machine (Baltimore)        

Your situation sounds pretty similar to mine, except I can only go to like 29" deep from the 27" I have now. I will not downsize to a compact washer, as my kids are getting older and generating more laundry volume than ever.

Did you find another model that would fit besides the SQ FF7?


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