Thread Number: 90998  /  Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
fancy washing machines
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Post# 1155105   7/24/2022 at 00:26 (734 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        

Hey guys, have any of you had or have used a fancy washer and dryer? I have. My mom had gotten an lg back in 2007 with steam. It looked super fancy to me due to that chrome trim and sleek design. I've used it before when she got used to using it. Needless to say,it wasn't as complicated as it appeared. I mainly used the normal cycle. It just goes to show that super fancy machines can take care of you when you take care of them. They have cycles and options you will need and others you can test out.
What are your experiences? I've had good luck with mine.
P.S. it's a matching set. I believe they're still working.





Post# 1155125 , Reply# 1   7/24/2022 at 13:14 (733 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
Fanciest machines I’ve owned are my 1963 RCA Whirlpool Imperial Mark XII and my soon to be Maytag A806 set (hopefully).

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Post# 1155142 , Reply# 2   7/24/2022 at 18:51 (733 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Most "fancy" I have, regards to controls, are the IWL12, WL26CW1, and WL37T26CW2.


Post# 1155167 , Reply# 3   7/25/2022 at 06:27 (732 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
cleaning power

Most, if not all of the modern fancy machines claim to have exceptional cleaning power. I don't believe that. What is wrong with today's gullible consumers? Most people don't give a damn about their laundry. All they see is style and no substance.

Post# 1155168 , Reply# 4   7/25/2022 at 07:36 (732 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Well, you can believe what you want, but my modern Siemens frontloader is the best cleaning washing machine I ever had.

Post# 1155187 , Reply# 5   7/25/2022 at 14:32 (732 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
best fancy washer and dryer

Granted, I've yet to have any issues with my fancy lg and Kenmore elite laundry pairs, also made by lg. They cover the basics you need while providing fancy features than be tested out. My mom's lg washer can steam refresh or enhance the cleaning power with steam. I did it on a load of whites before. My dad's can soak clothes in the washer. I've used this fancy feature several times before on clothes. The last time I used it was on a load of blue clothes when I had a blood stain in my jeans.

Post# 1155191 , Reply# 6   7/25/2022 at 15:10 (732 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
What exactly constitutes a "fancy" machine?


Post# 1155199 , Reply# 7   7/25/2022 at 16:46 (732 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        
1982 Limited Edition

repairguy's profile picture
My idea of fancy doesn’t qualify for this forum.



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Post# 1155201 , Reply# 8   7/25/2022 at 16:52 (732 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        
#7

bradfordwhite's profile picture
Yep, I'd have to agree only it would be a Black new (floor model) 1986 model I got for $499 at the Sears warehouse.
The smell of newness.
The sleek black paint.
The blooping sound when making a selection.
The click as the water valve opened and diverted water into the triple dispenser.
The clean sound of the motor quietly causing the agitation during wash.
The lighted console.
The red indicator lights on the panel.

Very fancy.


Post# 1155220 , Reply# 9   7/25/2022 at 21:56 (732 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
Constituting a fancy machine

A fancy machine can have very nice electronic controls that look and sound futuristic, doors that have chrome on them, different styles of wash actions etc.
Some people have had good luck with them for years, while others disdain them. Why is that? Other fancy units can have different stain menus and auto-dose dispensing capabilities. Some fancy features can be beneficial like auto-dose. It would be nice to have so I don't have to worry about measuring laundry detergent and fabric softener again.


Post# 1155224 , Reply# 10   7/25/2022 at 23:43 (732 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        

qsd-dan's profile picture
To me, a "Fancy" modern washer would be a high end Miele.

Post# 1155227 , Reply# 11   7/26/2022 at 01:38 (731 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
For me, there’s nothing really “fancy” about modern washers and dryers other than their looks. A washer ain’t fancy for me unless I can select the wash and or spin speeds along with the rinse temperatures like I can with my Maytag A806. A lot of people wouldn’t consider a washer fancy these days unless you can control it with your smartphone, but you’ll be out of luck if the drain it’s plumed into clogs and everything overflows onto the floor and you’ll do thousands in damage if the laundry area is located on a second floor..

Post# 1155231 , Reply# 12   7/26/2022 at 03:00 (731 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        

qsd-dan's profile picture
Not sure the 806 would be considered fancy by today's standards. Most definitely flexible, and the warm spray rinse/deep rinse option is certainly welcomed. Modern day front loaders do have the handy option of a heater. The "fancier" ones allow for various temperatures and cycle lengths to combat a variety of stains. It would be fun project to install a calrod in the outer tub of a Maytag with a variably adjustable thermostat, especially if powered through solar panels.

Post# 1155249 , Reply# 13   7/26/2022 at 11:30 (731 days old) by Pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        
curent daily drivers

pierreandreply4's profile picture
to me the washer dryer set i have as daily driver might not be fsncy as the thread say but they do the job

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Post# 1155261 , Reply# 14   7/26/2022 at 14:51 (731 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
Washers and dryers

I used to look forwerd to the days when luxury laundry equipment would perform better and last longer, but here we are today and they're only proving to be built flimsy thanks to the Chinese. In the words of Spatsbear and Harley badger, China Pride!

Post# 1155291 , Reply# 15   7/27/2022 at 00:20 (731 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        

bradfordwhite's profile picture
"The Chinese" are most likely not the creator of planned obsolescence. See GM in the 50s for that.

"The Chinese" are leading in technological advancements. In today's rather borderless economy it's more difficult to place fault, or credit for that matter, on a product creations on any one group.

It's not unusual to have a company owned by several countries, the manufacture in yet another country, get resources from another, have their company based in yet another, and sell the product in yet OTHER countries.

Again, look at GM today. The majority of it's vehicles sell in China. Yet we most likely see GM as a U.S. company.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO bradfordwhite's LINK


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Post# 1155316 , Reply# 16   7/27/2022 at 11:22 (730 days old) by CleanteamofNY ((Monroe, New York)        

cleanteamofny's profile picture

 

 

The fanciest washer I ever owned was my 1995/6 Kenmore Electronic washer and the Electrolux Wave-touch.

This Kenmore top loader can do 1-9 hours delayed wash or overnight delayed soak/prewash that goes into the main wash with 2 rinses.

The options were extremely flexible though the agitation and spin speed was built into the timer.

This ole girl is out of commission yet in storage at this time, I'm waiting for a donor to repair her.

The Electrolux was a workhorse but bearings and outer tub problems developed 9 years in and decommissioned to storage also.

 


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Post# 1155339 , Reply# 17   7/27/2022 at 17:25 (730 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
fancy laundry equipment

My lg washer could wash about anything under the sun, from delicate sweaters to smelly sweaty cottons and denims. It was in 2008 when my mom did a big load of dirty laundry. It was a load of darks with some dirty jeans. Let me tell you, with the amount of water it had, it did a great job cleaning, thanks to the fancy roller jets and recirculation pump. It was on the normal cycle set for cold wash. I've had no mold issues in mine. But then again, we did take care of it despite how many loads went through it.

Post# 1155365 , Reply# 18   7/28/2022 at 00:26 (730 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)        
Miele WXR Series

littlegreeny's profile picture
I guess this would qualify as a "fancy" set. Flexibility and number of options is awesome. The automatic detergent/oxygen bleach dispensing is a dream and it can be easily turned off if I want to use a special detergent for a particular load. Wash and rinse levels are fantastic. And I love getting a notification on my phone when the cycle is done.

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Post# 1155379 , Reply# 19   7/28/2022 at 07:31 (729 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
to littlegreeny

What cycles do you use most often? I mostly use the normal and whitest whites cycles on mine depending on what I'm washing. Availability is also a factor.

Post# 1155384 , Reply# 20   7/28/2022 at 09:02 (729 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)        

littlegreeny's profile picture
I use my custom cycles most often. Several are based off the normal cycle. One is Bath Towels, which is a 120F wash and the other is Sheets, which is a 140F wash with a one hour soak. I like that the normal cycle has long intermediate spins so extraction and rinsing are excellent and the final spin is a long 1600 rpm spin which cuts drying time in the heat pump dryer.

I also use the Napkin cycle which is based off the table linen cycle at 120F with 4 rinses and 1200 rpm final spin. I have my Cleaning Cloth cycle which is a 170F sanitize cycle with prewash and extra rinse for a total of 4 rinses and 1600 rpm spin.


Post# 1155387 , Reply# 21   7/28/2022 at 10:03 (729 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
Littlegreeny

If I was at your house, I'd gladly like to test the machine. I'd use the normal cycle with the cold temp for my darks. What's the default setting for the standard normal cycle?

Post# 1155398 , Reply# 22   7/28/2022 at 13:49 (729 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)        

littlegreeny's profile picture
Default temp for normal is 105F. It has a dark cycle with a default temp of 105F. Same for the denim cycle, 105F.

Lowest default temp is 85F on the express, woolens, silks, sneakers, and curtains cycles.

I've never washed a single load in this washer on cold...


Post# 1155415 , Reply# 23   7/28/2022 at 18:38 (729 days old) by electronicontrl (Grand Rapids, MI)        

electronicontrl's profile picture
@Repairguy - I sure like that 1982 Limited Edition!! Fancy and a workhorse!

Post# 1155418 , Reply# 24   7/28/2022 at 19:18 (729 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
default normal cycle

I'd use the default normal cycle for light colored clothes. Hopefully darks stay dark.

Post# 1155419 , Reply# 25   7/28/2022 at 19:18 (729 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        

repairguy's profile picture
Thanks!

Post# 1155420 , Reply# 26   7/28/2022 at 19:20 (729 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
To repairguy

You're welcome. It would be nice if fancy washers and dryers had speech output for the blind.

Post# 1155504 , Reply# 27   7/29/2022 at 14:53 (728 days old) by Pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        
call it planing but 1 thing for sure is this

pierreandreply4's profile picture
If for x reason because of high prices i had to go refurbish i would go for a direct drive like this with matching dryer washer inglis royal100

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Post# 1155538 , Reply# 28   7/30/2022 at 00:06 (728 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
my dad's kenmore

I was speaking to my dad about how the people before him liked the kenmore matching set he acquired. He told me that they really liked it. It turned out their misfortune became his fortune to own one, which he always wanted. The couple got it brand new. I love the recirculation and freshwater rinse jet.

Post# 1155723 , Reply# 29   8/1/2022 at 15:19 (725 days old) by lakewebsterkid (Dayton, Ohio)        
littlegreeny

Is your machine set to hot and cold fill, or cold fill only?

Post# 1155725 , Reply# 30   8/1/2022 at 15:39 (725 days old) by lakewebsterkid (Dayton, Ohio)        
Fancy

My Duet probably was considered fancy for its time. However the Kenmore isn’t considered fancy now. The Duet had very useful features that were big selling points at that time, and the Kenmore just had options and cycles I preferred. I think the features and innovations are what I would consider fancy. FanFresh, Steam for Stains, Sanitize, 1400 rpm spin, and 4 rinse options all come to mind. It lasted 10 years with a lot of use as well.
The Electronic Kenmore DD? Very fancy.


Post# 1155735 , Reply# 31   8/1/2022 at 17:43 (725 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)        
lakewebsterkid

littlegreeny's profile picture
My machine is set to hot and cold fill.

Post# 1155746 , Reply# 32   8/1/2022 at 20:27 (725 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
auto soak and steam

The auto soak on my dad's kenmore elite is a fancy feature for a front loader. his matching dryer has the steam feature which is good. I hate ironing and besides I'm not good at it. It has a steam feeder. He got the pair for #800 when the couple before him moved out.

Post# 1172354 , Reply# 33   2/15/2023 at 17:58 (527 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
updates

I believe my parents still have their sets. I've tested the steam feature on a load of whites several times at my mom's using the normal/cotton cycle. I've noticed my clothes came out much softer and smelled fresher when my mom got hers. The dryer did leave the clothes slightly damp but we got used to it. I believe it was to leave life in the clothes to avoid overdrying. I've noticed that the dryer had higher sounding airflow while using lower temps to compensate.
An example would be the normal cycle at medium heat. My dad's kenmore elite which is also lg-based does the same thing.


Post# 1208320 , Reply# 34   6/28/2024 at 23:14 by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
fancy

The high-tech electronic controls and the chrome trim on the doors.

Post# 1208324 , Reply# 35   6/29/2024 at 01:46 by kalanikaau1 (Honolulu, Hawaii)        
Probably

kalanikaau1's profile picture
the "fanciest" washing machine to grace my household is a 24 year old Maytag top loader, I bought it brand new in 2000.

It featured astounding features such as a warm wash/warm rinse capability and a second rinse option, features we never had in prior machines.

Perhaps I'm regressing with regards to "fanciness" with my soon to be in service Speed Queen top loader, it lacks a warm water rinse option and a water level selector option, it does, however provide for a second rinse.

I'm strictly a function over form type of person, perhaps that is why I drive a 22 year old Honda CR-V, it, like the Maytag has provided me with exceptional service and reliability. My other vehicle, a 2020 Ford Ranger sits covered in my carport, I took delivery of it in Jan. 2020, it's been driven all of 420 miles to date, it is indeed "fancy".

The Honda is a much more logical choice given HNL's traffic and roadways which are infested with idiots.

I well expect the SQ to follow suit of the Maytag and Honda, and, hopefully the Ford...


Post# 1208339 , Reply# 36   6/29/2024 at 13:10 by me (Essex, UK)        

My parents had a Hotpoint Microtronic X2000, plus the stacked dryer to go with it.

It was primitive by today's standards, but in 1981 it was "fancy", the only microprocessor based washing machine in the store (also the most expensive!), it was all push button controls, had a LED display and no knobs.

Even had a button on the control panel to pop the door open, although ironically that was a fully mechanical cable release and locking mechanism.

Lasted many years, but I really kicked myself for not trying to repair it when the bearing wore out every time I selected a wash on the mechanical timer knob of the machine that replaced it.







Post# 1208445 , Reply# 37   7/1/2024 at 00:53 by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US)        

murando531's profile picture
My Whirlpool 92 series is my fancy washer-dryer set. Hands down the best washer I've ever used or owned, and the best front loader I've ever witnessed in action, after having been around enough other brands at family or friends' houses sounding like freight trains in the spin cycles, and those have been what you'd consider "fancy" as well.

This set will be 7 years old in September and I haven't had a single hiccup from either. The washer has everything I could want, capacitive touch controls, LED interior light that is manually activated and stays on indefinitely if I desire, front and rear ball balancing rings, heating element, four-shock suspension, direct-drive BPM motor, built in fan that runs with int. tumbling for 12 hours after every cycle, so I've never dealt with a bit of mold or odor, and if a load is put in the dryer a few hours later, they've already air dried a bit. The only thing I've never really used or cared about is the bulk liquid dispenser, because I'd just rather decide on dosage myself and use whatever form of detergent I want.

It's also incredibly well built. Everything about it is solid and tight. The drawer doesn't wiggle around or feel flimsy, it smoothly slides in and out on its track and has a nice thunk when it locks in. The door also feels solid and satisfying to open and close. The cabinet doesn't rattle or creak or buzz. It's hands down the quietest and smoothest washer I've ever heard or witnessed spinning as well. It's been incredibly rare to have a load spin that actually sounded a bit off-balance, but It's always been good at cancelling and redistributing, and even so, the cabinet doesn't move or shake at all. Even the tones and signals are gorgeous on these machines. Whirlpool's sound effects almost sound orchestral, with piano notes and a touch of reverb, and I don't know why they didn't give the Maytag side the same treatment. There are some newer WP-made Kenmore VMAX top loads I've heard in video clips that have a more "spacey" sound to their tones, but not as pleasing to the ear as Whirlpool's.

My only beef with this machine is the dispensing setup from the drawers. They intended strongly for liquid detergent to be the only thing used to complement the Load&Go system. Yes, you *can* put powder in the chamber cutout if you take out the cartridge and don't put the single dose liquid cup in, but because the dispenser pipes down directly into the drum at the opening in the door boot, that barely dissolved powder sliding down with the water hits the tumbling dry clothes and splatters all over the glass, where it stays speckled and undissolved. My solution: a mesh bra garment bag. Works perfectly. I do the same for pods or scent beads if ever I use them, just put them into a small garment bag and toss in, so they never get bounced into the boot and get stuck.

I took the washer apart at the five year mark for a deep cleaning, but found not much at all to do, because it was practically spotless. Only a little grime build up around the creases of anything that sealed, like the drain cleanout plug or the vent tube on the back and top. But this thing keeps beautifully clean with common sense laundry habits, and obviously leaving the door open and removing the dispenser tray to air out on the counter when not in use. And of course, cleaning and rinsing has always been fantastic. The only stain type I've ever had an issue with is built-up deodorant in armpits, but I've never met a machine or a detergent that handled that well. It's partially my fault too, because I often neglect to spray some pretreater on shirts that need it and let them air dry to be sure they're ok.

And then the dryer, well, it does a fantastic job and is also very tightly manufactured. It has a stainless drum, quad baffles, steam nozzle, as well as the controls of the washer. But it's also Whirlpool's 27 inch front mounted filter design, just with a front-load cabinet around it. There's not much more to say because the 27 in dryers have always been fantastic, and in my opinion is still hands down the best dryer you can buy on the market. I've taken this one apart twice now for deep cleaning, and found the typical dusting of lint in the normal areas, but nothing alarming, and nothing around the element intake. It's quiet and dries every load perfectly every time with no fuss, except the occasional set of sheets being rolled into a burrito, as they tend to do.

If I had to do anything over, I'd buy these machines again 100 times, but I'd get them in white. Dark colored appliances just look dated and depressing to me these days, and a classic bright white in this set would pop in my current laundry room. Plus, with all the variants in dark grey between brands, and even between WP's models over the years, it would be impossible to match the color perfectly should I need to replace one or the other. So I've vowed that I'll never have another laundry machine in any color but timeless pure white.


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Post# 1208446 , Reply# 38   7/1/2024 at 02:17 by kalanikaau1 (Honolulu, Hawaii)        
Whirlpool 92 series

kalanikaau1's profile picture
So glad for you that you find happiness in your Whirlpool products, but how many Whirlpool laundry machines do you see in laundromats and other such commercial environments?

Would not the choice of laundry product brands in such environs indicate their reliability, robustness of construction and ease of serviceability?

Perhaps an unfair analogy, but you could not GIVE me any modern Whirlpool laundry appliance, including the so-called "Whirltag" commercial grade top loader, it's like putting lipstick on a pig!

Pardon me now as I go to the nearest laundromat to see if Whirlpool products are in use there, the last time I noticed they were all Alliance Industry products...




This post was last edited 07/01/2024 at 12:06
Post# 1208449 , Reply# 39   7/1/2024 at 07:52 by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        

Well, "fancy" can mean many things.

In my collection I have "fancy" washers.

I have a Miele, fancy isn't it?
But I also have a hotpoint portable that was found new in box. How fancy! 40 something years later that gem was waiting for me.
I also have a calypso... isn't that fancy well actually that's more love it or hate it. Some people (including me) absolutely love it, other people hate it. Considering how swmi-rare it is nowadays, it can be considered fancy, can't it?
Or a TOL frigidaire 1-18. Fancy, right?
What about a catalyst? Can that be considered fancy?


Post# 1208454 , Reply# 40   7/1/2024 at 09:42 by maytaga806 (Howell, Michigan)        

maytaga806's profile picture
Now these are the definition of “Fancy”. As well as the candy red Whirlpool direct drive sets, and the Speed Queen TL with the beautiful logo on the front panels.

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Post# 1208468 , Reply# 41   7/1/2024 at 11:43 by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US)        

murando531's profile picture
kalanikaau1 - What does that have to do with anything in my post? I was replying specifically to Jerome and his question about "fancy" machines and their experiences. It was refreshing to have a discussion on this forum that *isn't* centered around any Alliance products for once.

And funny, the last laundromat I stepped foot into a few years ago had all Whirlpool commercial front-loaders and VMWs. Only a few years before that, the last time I ever had to use a laundromat for myself while out of town had two rows of Neptunes still in service. In fact, the two or three brand new Peanut's Laundry's around town use exclusively Dexter front load machines, so "would not the choice of laundry product brands in such environs indicate their reliability, robustness of construction and ease of serviceability?" I've never seen for myself a laundromat, whether standalone or hotel or apartment, that had a single Speed Queen, but safe travels on your trip to the laundromat to prove a point that has nothing to do with the reliability and quality of the machines I've owned.


Post# 1208491 , Reply# 42   7/1/2024 at 18:48 by bpetersxx (laf in on the banks of the Wabash River)        

bpetersxx's profile picture
does the WP calypso count as fancy

Since it nutates the clothes in a FF like stream


Post# 1208496 , Reply# 43   7/1/2024 at 20:30 by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Calypso, yes.

Also my two super-fancy agitator toploaders that have smiley faces and animated graphics on the display and every nearly option imaginable (except water heating).

And two super-fancy impeller toploaders that have animated graphics on the display and nearly every option imaginable (except water heating).  And one matching dryer.


Post# 1208502 , Reply# 44   7/1/2024 at 21:29 by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
fancy washers and dryers

I wouldn't have a problem with fancy washers and dryers. As long as they're up to the task like their basic counterparts, I'm fine with that. I'd also like the fancy features to deliver on their promises. Maybe that was true for older units.

Post# 1208503 , Reply# 45   7/1/2024 at 21:31 by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
definition of fancy

Another definition of fancy can be design. Who remembers washers with rounded and angled corners? What about the ones with sloped tops?


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