Washer/Drier?

[czgunner]

So, this may be a little unconventional, but the wife and I are buying a home on 5 acres in the country and will need a washer and drier.
It's a "newer" home built in 2001, so the laundry room kind of small and is really set up for front loaders.
I'm looking at reviews, but I'm not coming away with anything useful.
What is the ticket for a reliable, simple to use set?
I'm not sold on the reliability of the digital, flashy kit.
What do you guys/gals recommend?
Thanks!

 

[brass89]

Why would a smaller laundry room dictate front loaders? As a stacked set? I'm not all that keen on all the digital stuff either, but that's what a lot of it's coming to. Most new sets are without the center agitator in washers. My ex gf got a set from sears (probably kenmore) with all that digital stuff. Nice set, but touchy. The slightest out of balance and it would go into fault mode and have to have the clothes readjusted and balanced out several times. I find that with my small topload digital as well, but not as bad. Locks that lock the lid shut so you have to go into command mode and stop everything just to toss in an extra sock or something once the load starts. Annoying little things like that.

If using a front load, just make sure to leave the door cracked so it can air out. I have a feeling that's where a lot of ppl run into the mildew issues, no one likes to leave the door hanging open but if you notice that's what they do at laundromats. The doors have to have a watertight seal and left closed up with moisture inside leads to issues. On the bright side, almost all detergents now are HE (required for a lot of newer models) so it's not the hard to obtain expensive venture it used to be.

 

[LEVE]

35 years ago I bought a Sears Kenmore basic washer/dryer set. The washer was a top loader. After 7 kid and three moves I left it in the house when I moved back west.

14 years ago I purchased another Sears Kenmore basic washer/dryer set, again a top loading washer. Why a basic set? It's simple. I can work on it. I can trace the problem and parts are available and inexpensive. Over the years I've bought a spare motor for the dryer, an element and a timer assembly for the day when it does die. The washer, well, I've got a drum tool for it, but haven't stocked any parts.

If I'd bought a fancy washer/dryer set that does everything but cook your breakfast, I'd be lost in no time troubleshooting it. I'm also of the mind that the more bells and whistles you have on an appliance the more likely it is to fail and the more expensive it is to fix. It is also a lot harder to troubleshoot for the average owner. Now you're talking dollars to fix it or take the repair money an put it into a new set.

It's your choice, but were it I, I'd do it the same way all over again.

 

[Notgrownup]

You know, we have a 12 year old Heavy duty Frigidaire and got me thinking while I was looking at new ones.... Why would I since my current product is still working.

 

[ford33]

We have a simple top loader washer and gas dryer. I use 2 settings for water temperature (hot or warm) and set the size of the load when washing clothes. I don't see the need for advanced settings. They are about 7 years old.

 

[nehog]

Our almost 30 years old Maytags are still going strong. The drier has needed some simple repairs: the belt broke about ten years ago, and a few weeks ago, I did have to lubricate the roller shafts as it was squeaking. Looking at it it appears that it is good for another 20-30 years.

 

[Screwtape]

Speed Queen. Made in the US and industrial quality. They aren't pretty and won't impress your friends but they'll clean and dry your clothes way better than fancy looking high efficiency units and last a good long time.

I really cannot recommend this strongly enough.

 

[domain]

Appliance technician here. If the room is small it usually allocates the opposite. I would recommend the speed queen top load with matching dryer.

 

[Arthropraxis]

Don't get a Samsung. My 3 yo drier's tub cracked of course the warranty is only a year and they will not goodwill any repairs.

 

[_Stang_]

We got the GE steam top loader and matching dryer about a year ago. It's the regular GE not Profile. It's a modern looking slate color. Best set we've ever had. It has all the flashy controls but you don't have to use them. Uses minimal water and the clothes always come out clean. Has the automatic detergent dispenser which is nice. You only have to load detergent once every 2 months. Best feature by far is the steam cleaning option on the dryer. I do all my button down shirts and dress pants in there and they come out fresh and wrinkle free. Hardly ever go to the dry cleaners anymore except for suits, etc.

Another cool features that I thought was gimmickey at first is the washer connects to the dryer with an ethernet cable. Washer ends it cycle then powers up the dryer on whatever setting it thinks is best. You just transfer clothes and hit start. It works really well.

Also, it has a massive capacity. You can load an entire king comforter and sheet set in there with room to spare.

 

[lynnbilodeau]

Best washers and driers I ever had were the cheapest models of the brand names.
I bought a used Kenmore drier that lasted 30 more years for $5 at a yard sale. Bought it when I was a poor college student, and thought I would never need to replace it. When I finally did, you guessed it, I found another used Kenmore. I could afford to go buy a new one, but why? It is drying clothes as I type this. Two driers since 1974. Total cost: $55.

BTW, Kenmore used to be made by Whirlpool. I ASSUME it still is. Just not sure.

 

[raiderhillbilly]

I vote for SpeedQueen too! I would not even consider any other brand. Whirlpool, Maytag, and Kenmore used to be really tough. I bet their three best machines would not last as long as one SpeedQueen now. Huebsch brand commercial washers may also be made by SpeedQueen.

 

[67carl]

Speed Queen seems to be the "brick house" of washer/dryers from my research. As others mentioned it doesn't have the high tech bling but is solid and reliable.

What CZ do you shoot? I've got a CZ75B 40. Love it.

 

[Pluribus]

I have a washer/dryer set of late 1990's Maytag Performa that's treated me very well. It's time to replace the belt on the washer now, and I'm about to convert the dryer to propane (from natural gas.) I think the replacement belt and the propane valve/orifice kit cost me around $20 total. I'll do my damndest to keep these things running as long as I can, and they are quite functional and were made before the ever worsening days of planned obsolescence.

Cracks me up to see all of the "Energy Star" ratings BS for a piece of equipment you'll scrap in a quarter (or less) of the lifespan of an older, less efficient model. You couldn't pay me to take a front load washer with electronic keyboard that has a front seal replacement cost of about what I paid for my brand new, entire washer.

If I had to buy new now, I'd probably follow the recommendations for Speed Queen, as I like sturdy and simple stuff. Knowing me though, if mine crapped out, I'd consider going to CL to find an 20+ year old, still working washer. I'm kinda cheap and ornery like that.

 

[Warrenator]

Love my Samsung front loader. Seems to be very well engineered, all the service info is great (easy to read flow charts for troubleshooting, parts listings, etc) and parts are inexpensive off ebay. Gets clothes really really clean.

 

[theoldwizard1]

"Plain old" top loaders are getting hard to find. They don't meet the government "gold star" energy requirements. The "new" top load models use much less water (some says not enough especially on heavy clothes) and are fully computer controlled.

Whirlpool now manufactures most brand names including Kenmore and Maytag. Notable exceptions are GE and Samsung.

Some of the front load washer had (still have ?) a serious design flaw. The inner basket is stainless steel, but the support "spider" (behind the basket) is aluminum. The laundry detergent will actually eat through the spider assembly over time. This is a VERY expensive repair because 1) you have to replace the stainless steel basket because the spider is permanently attached and 2) this repair is highly LABOR INTENSIVE ! Liteally this is the first part installed when the machine is built, hence the last one out when being disassembled.

Anyone looking at buying ANY front loading washer should 1) get an extended warranty (at least 10 years) and 2) make certain that the warranty covers the tub/spider with minimal deductible !



All laundry detergents have eliminated one common cleaning chemical. Phosphate. If you feel your laundry is not as clean as it use to be, buy some Tri-Sodium Phosphate (the REAL stuff, not some substitute). You can still buy it online. Add a couple of TABLESPOONS per load.

 

[pl_silverado]

+1 more on the speed queen.

I found a matching pair 6 months old on craigslist from someone who was moving and couldn't take them with. Best $500 I ever spent.

 

[RossABQ]

I have a 25-yr-old topload Whirlpool washer/electric dryer set I paid $100 for 15 years ago. I had to replace the timer in the washer ($50) after 5 yrs, and the element in the dryer after about 7 yrs. I'd be the first to admit, the washer can tie knots into pants legs or shirt sleeves using "Normal" cycle, pretty irritating, but it works great otherwise.

Unless you have kids in cloth diapers, you'll never recoup the added cost of a quality front-loader. And the first time a lightning storm puts some juice into your power system (common in the country) you'll be stuck for new controls ($$$$).

 

[6768rogues]

My toploader will do a big load of wash in about 23 minutes. My son has a fancy expensive front loader that takes 2 1/2 hours to do the same load. I don't like to do laundry and want to do a lot in a little time. To keep up with his family's demands with a washer that takes so much time, they have to do laundry almost every night. I can burn through a week's worth in an evening.

 

[rburke65]

Dryer!

 

[SweetD]

It's funny how many people respond to the OP asking about purchasing a NEW washer and dryer with stories about their 20-30 year old washers/dryers!

We bought LG frontloaders several years ago. If I had to do it again knowing what I know now, I would go with the Speed Queen set. The LGs are OK, but the washer overflows easily when unbalanced or slightly "overloaded", which would be a HUGE chafe if it wasn't in our basement on concrete floor.



Dave

 

[czgunner]

Thanks for all the feedback.
We are looking into a set of Speed Queen products.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

All laundry detergents have eliminated one common cleaning chemical. Phosphate. If you feel your laundry is not as clean as it use to be, buy some Tri-Sodium Phosphate (the REAL stuff, not some substitute). You can still buy it online. Add a couple of TABLESPOONS per load.

Home Depot still sells it, white and red box the size and shape of a cereal or Borax box. Find it in the paint section, along with other cleaning supplies for painting prep.

Charles

 

[Twiggss]

35 years ago I bought a Sears Kenmore basic washer/dryer set. The washer was a top loader. After 7 kid and three moves I left it in the house when I moved back west.

14 years ago I purchased another Sears Kenmore basic washer/dryer set, again a top loading washer. Why a basic set? It's simple. I can work on it. I can trace the problem and parts are available and inexpensive. Over the years I've bought a spare motor for the dryer, an element and a timer assembly for the day when it does die. The washer, well, I've got a drum tool for it, but haven't stocked any parts.

If I'd bought a fancy washer/dryer set that does everything but cook your breakfast, I'd be lost in no time troubleshooting it. I'm also of the mind that the more bells and whistles you have on an appliance the more likely it is to fail and the more expensive it is to fix. It is also a lot harder to troubleshoot for the average owner. Now you're talking dollars to fix it or take the repair money an put it into a new set.

It's your choice, but were it I, I'd do it the same way all over again.

this really sums it up the best. When I bought my house a few years ago I went on CL looking for a set. Found a few guys that were snatching up older models that people were giving away and refurbish them. Talked them a bit and they said most of them were simple fixes. broken belts, split O-rings...etc.

Paid $100 for a washer and dryer delivered down to my basement by these guys. The washer is prob 15 years old, dryer maybe 20. Nothing fancy. I took the dryer apart and cleaned all the excess lint out of every crevis. Sucker will dry a load of jeans in 30 min.

 

[99LeCouch]

I have a matched set Electrolux front-loading washer and electric dryer. They've been generally good to us. I did have the washer's bearing disintegrate after 1.5 years of ownership, and they did NOT lift a finger to help. Parts ran about $300. I replaced the rear shell where the bearing sits and the wash drum since the steel spindle on the spider had bearing races rusted to it. The labor was 6-7 hours from start to finish. It's been fine ever since, though (knocks on wood).

 

[No Noise Dude]

This past June, wifey and I purchased a matching set of Kenmore Elite front-loading washer and dryer to replace the aging mid 80's combo. With the new set, there are pre-programmed wash and dry cycles. Just select the desired wash/dry cycle and the machine automatically determines wash/dry time. Can't get any simpler! Considering the very little water that the front loader utilizes, clothes come out cleaner as compared to our old top loader.

 

[SchuLace]

I used to work at an appliance store and we had good luck with Fisher & Paykel. They are an Austrailian company and make basic machines but worked really well.

 

[pepi]

I hear Whirlpool is pretty good here is a test of one.

 

[czgunner]

We bought a traditional top load set of Speed Queen's.
Thanks for the help.