Thread Number: 87428
/ Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
GE front load 24" compact front load washer/dryer |
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Post# 1119782   6/9/2021 at 13:56 (1,023 days old) by drhardee ( Columbia, SC)   |   | |
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Hey all,
Does anyone have real world experience with GE's one and only 24" front load washer and matching vented dryer? GE® 24" 2.4 Cu. Ft. ENERGY STAR® Front Load Washer with Steam - GFW148SSMWW - GE Appliances
I'm considering replacing an aging Miele stacked pair (from 2005) with this washer and it's matching vented dryer. I, of course, first looked at Miele, Bosch and Electrolux. My challenge is that half of the laundry duties at our home are shared by my blind husband. He won't not do laundry...tough problem, I know..
He can use our older Miele set, since it has the older (non-touchtronic) selector knob setup. There are not dozens of options, or touch screens that can trip up a blind user. It's turn on the power, turn the selector knob to select a cycle, and go. The fact that our current set allows us to set the exact wash temperature by degrees is nice too; there's no vague "cold" "cool", "warm", etc. temperatures, it's 105, 120, 140, and so on up to 180 F. I like that. I'm still hesitant to try a ventless condenser or heat pump dryer. My small kitchen, where the W/D is located, doesn't need the extra heat load added to it from a ventless dryer, and I have a convenient dryer vent behind the set.
Our current Miele washer will make a loud "bang" when it shifts into it's first interim spin of a cycle (when fully loaded). It doesn't do it when it's lightly loaded, and it doesn't do it at the start of final spin, just the first spin cycle after wash before rinse. I can hear the drum bang against the side of the cabinet once or twice, and maybe it's only balancing the load prior to the first spin, I don't know.
What I do know is this set is now 16 years old, and may not last a lot longer. I don't know if Miele even still stocks repair parts for this set. Columbia, SC does not have a certified Miele repair technician any longer. So, I'm looking at this simpler set from GE. I know it won't last as long as the Miele, but it is simple to use.
So, what I'm looking for, ideally, is a 24" front-loading washer (with a heater) and vented dryer that's EASY TO USE. I'd get a Speed Queen stacked set, but it's too tall for the location, as is any other non-24" European sized set, which top out at 67" high. We have cabinets above the washer/dryer stack which we need for storage. These cabinets disallow a taller set from being used.
Any thoughts about any of this rambling dialogue? CLICK HERE TO GO TO drhardee's LINK |
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Post# 1119804 , Reply# 3   6/9/2021 at 17:07 (1,023 days old) by jamiel (Detroit, Michigan and Palm Springs, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 1119809 , Reply# 5   6/9/2021 at 18:36 (1,023 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
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We sell and service a lot of these machines and they have been pretty good, they are Samsung machines built for GE in China.
For about the last 1/2 dozen years or so we have considered these GEs one of the better choices if you have to have a compact W+D, and it is now one of the few that is vented which is always the best option if you have a decent outside venting option for speed and reliability.
Its too bad you can't use a SQ Stack as it is not only the best stack but it is easy to use by blind persons because it has definite cycle pads for each cycle and you can use options once you know what each cycle provides if you want to deviate from the preselected settings.
John L. |
Post# 1119887 , Reply# 7   6/10/2021 at 15:51 (1,022 days old) by drhardee ( Columbia, SC)   |   | |
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Thanks guys, I really appreciate all of the responses, and the AJ Madison listing of everything available (including several makes to which I haven't even given any thought) is helpful. I'll also look into the "friction damper" thing. That might be all this issue turns out to be. I'd love to have a Miele "Little Giant" set, but I have to KISS.
I did replace the cold water inlet valve on this current washer by myself 2 years ago, so perhaps the friction damper thing ain't beyond my limited skill set. |
Post# 1119951 , Reply# 8   6/11/2021 at 05:00 (1,022 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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