Washer and Dryer Opinions?

Matt193

Well-Known Member
Mar 21, 2011
193
0
323
Wisconsin
I have a 10 year old Kenmore HE3 front load washing machine that has a bearing going out in the drum assembly. Instead of fixing it (rather costly) I think I am going to get a new washer and dryer.

It seems that the reviews are very mixed about many of the different brands of washers and dryers and most of them don't appear to be built for the long run anymore. Does anyone here have any insight as to which brands are good and which ones I should steer clear from?

How about features? I've noticed that many of the newer machines are loaded with different modes. Steam seems to be a popular option. Is it worth the extra money? I do know I want a large capacity machine.

I do need to have a front load pair because they are going to get stacked in the future when I remodel my laundry room.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
 

mauidan

Member Sponsor
Aug 2, 2010
1,512
11
36
Pukalani, HI
Just installed a new Maytag Bravos top loader washer replacing a ten year old Maytag.

Went into Home Depot and was looking at the models on the floor and the
salesman told about a special on the last five 300 series machines they had in stock.
With all the discounts, got this $700. machine for $430. with free delivery and
pick up of the old washer.

Plus, this Tier 2 washer qualifies for a $75. refund from the State of HI.

Suggest you visit your local HD and check out the deals.
 
Last edited:

amirm

Banned
Apr 2, 2010
15,813
37
0
Seattle, WA
I would get a copy of Consumer Reports and buy the best rated ones in there. We have the Whirlpool ones and it is really gentle on cloths relative to our older Maytag and others we have owned. This was a nice surprise.

We had a Maytag which had major issue of water staying stagnent and gasket getting smelly. They had a class action suit and while we applied, never got anything. Service was awful. When you called they basically said on the automated message that if you are calling about that washer in litigation, you are screwed. We fought still and got a free gasket only to have it become smelly in a couple of months. Unless you ran bleach through it with every wash, your cloths would stink. So we threw out $2,000 worth of washer and dryer and bought the Whirlpool. It also can get a bit smelly if you close the door but not nearly as bad.

So while Maytag may have improved, we will never buy anything from them ever again.
 

Phelonious Ponk

New Member
Jun 30, 2010
8,677
23
0
We had a Maytag which had major issue of water staying stagnent and gasket getting smelly.

This is a common problem with front loaders. The good news is they've begun to manufacture top loaders without agitators, that are as effective and nearly as efficient (use HE detergent, less water) as front loaders. The LGs are great. I'm sure the Samsungs are good, they always are. Lots of problems have been reported with the Cabrios (Whirlpool, I think).

Tim
 

Matt193

Well-Known Member
Mar 21, 2011
193
0
323
Wisconsin
Just installed a new Maytag Bravos top loader washer replacing a ten year old Maytag.

Went into Home Depot and was looking at the models on the floor and the
salesman told about a special on the last five 300 series machines they had in stock.
With all the discounts, got this $700. machine for $430. with free delivery and
pick up of the old washer.

Plus, this Tier 2 washer qualifies for a $75. refund from the State of HI.

Suggest you visit your local HD and check out the deals.

Thanks for the tip. I'll head on over to Home Depot tomorrow night and take a look.

I would get a copy of Consumer Reports and buy the best rated ones in there. We have the Whirlpool ones and it is really gentle on cloths relative to our older Maytag and others we have owned. This was a nice surprise.

We had a Maytag which had major issue of water staying stagnent and gasket getting smelly. They had a class action suit and while we applied, never got anything. Service was awful. When you called they basically said on the automated message that if you are calling about that washer in litigation, you are screwed. We fought still and got a free gasket only to have it become smelly in a couple of months. Unless you ran bleach through it with every wash, your cloths would stink. So we threw out $2,000 worth of washer and dryer and bought the Whirlpool. It also can get a bit smelly if you close the door but not nearly as bad.

So while Maytag may have improved, we will never buy anything from them ever again.

My current Kenmore washer is actually a rebranded Whirlpool Duet which does a rather good job cleaning my clothes. I just with it would have lasted longer and not cost an arm and a leg to fix. It was actually the Consumer Reports top pick back when it was new.

I do get the musty smell if I don't leave the door open on the washing machine but have never experienced it on my clothes. That would be awful!

From what I've been told, Maytag and Whirlpool are now the same company and most of their models are very similar to each other. I think this time around I am going to skip them and take a look at the competition.

This is a common problem with front loaders. The good news is they've begun to manufacture top loaders without agitators, that are as effective and nearly as efficient (use HE detergent, less water) as front loaders. The LGs are great. I'm sure the Samsungs are good, they always are. Lots of problems have been reported with the Cabrios (Whirlpool, I think).

Tim

I took a look at a few HE top loaders tonight and they look really great. Some of them have enormous capacities at a very good price. Unfortunately when I remodel my laundry room I won't have enough room for a top load pair in the space that I'll have so I'm pretty much stuck with a front loader set.

I have been running across what appear to be some really good deals on sets right now so the likely hood of me waiting until Black Friday appears to be slim. I guess I would rather battle the crowds for cheap electronics and other various Christmas presents. :p

Oh yeah, Bob, you're a funny guy! ;)
 

es347

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
1,577
35
970
Midwest fly over state..
Yes here's an informed opinion regarding washers...don't buy Fisher Paykel.
 

Jay_S

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
309
5
16
San Francisco - East Bay
I just replaced my 20+ year old Maytag washer and dryer with new Maytags. So far, so good. Not nearly as much fun as new audio equipment. :p The above post is right - Maytags are now made by Whirlpool. I don't expect the new ones to last nearly as long as the old ones. The old models were just simple and sturdy tanks. Some brands, such as LG, seem to rate higher in customer reviews. But LG and some of the others don't really have much of a service network near me.
 

Matt193

Well-Known Member
Mar 21, 2011
193
0
323
Wisconsin
I checked out Home Depot tonight and ended up buying a LG pair that they had on sale. The build quality looks very good and I had them match Best Buy's sale price which was $100 less per machine.

Thanks for everyone's help!
 

NorthStar

Member
Feb 8, 2011
24,305
1,323
435
Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada
Hey Matt, happy Washing & Drying!


Life's Good.
 

Garth

Member Sponsor
Feb 23, 2014
299
0
0
I went with the Miele front loaders that are on the second floor the vibration from these two was about to knock the house down. Then I found a product called Good Vibrations which are isolation feet for washers and dryers . Which work very well if you search the net for Good Vibrations add the words washer and Dryer or you will find a new level of porn sites.
 

Mosin

[Industry Expert]
Mar 11, 2012
895
13
930
...So while Maytag may have improved, we will never buy anything from them ever again.

They certainly have room for improvement. Mine lasted three years. After that, it was unrepairable. Like you, I will never buy anything Maytag ever again.

I went with a Speed Queen top loader with analog controls. Old school works great for me. It washes clothes, has the best warranty in the industry, and it is US made. Best of all, I could hack the water level. It actually fills the tub now.
 

treitz3

Super Moderator
Staff member
Dec 25, 2011
5,459
961
1,290
The tube lair in beautiful Rock Hill, SC
Get or stay old if you want longevity. Whirlpool here. For 3 decades. Spent less than $10.00 a year in maintenance on both. I have given every washer and dryer that's new and fancy and has come my way.....well, away for the entire time.

Then there is the capacity, which I will not get into right now. If I were too? Today's Extra Large is 3 decades ago small to medium.

Tom
 

astrotoy

VIP/Donor
May 24, 2010
1,547
1,017
1,715
SF Bay Area
The old Maytag washers were (are) workhorses. We bought ours in 1971 (I think that was before the Jesse White commercials - "the loneliest Maytag repairman.") It is still going fine, with one or two minor repairs in 43 years. The last time it was repaired, the repairman said to keep it going if possible - they don't make them like they used to. On the other hand, we are on our 4th dryer.

Larry
 

GaryProtein

VIP/Donor
Jul 25, 2012
2,542
31
385
NY
. . . .We had a Maytag which had major issue of water staying stagnent and gasket getting smelly. . . .

I don't understand why this is a problem with almost all front loaders. The top loaders never had this problem. I also don't like the idea that they have a valve to drain the remaining water that the salespeople don't tell you about and that they deny even knowing about, yet the owner manuals tell you about it and that you must periodically drain left over water which is a real nuisance crouching on the floor with a bottle or pot to catch the water. (On most machines, it is the little trap door on the lower front of the machine.) The only front loader I have seen that does not have and supposedly does not need this drain is the Electrolux. I don't know if this unit fares with regard to smelly stagnant water.

My SO wants to get a new washer and dryer for the house because she says they wash better and are easier on the clothes, but with our horrible experience with the LG front loading washer in the NYC apartment, I want to keep my old Whirlpool top loader until there are no parts left to fix it--which by the way, after 25 years has NEVER needed a repair.
 

Matt193

Well-Known Member
Mar 21, 2011
193
0
323
Wisconsin
FWIW, 2.5 years later my LG is still working fine. I think it does a great job washing my clothes and so far I haven't had any smell issues as long as you leave the door unlatched when it's not in use. I did run a pouch of Tide washing machine cleaner though it over the weekend. Does it work? I can't tell a difference but it sure made my house smell like fresh laundry. :p
 

GaryProtein

VIP/Donor
Jul 25, 2012
2,542
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385
NY
Why should I leave the washer door open? Do I leave my house door open? Do I leave my car gas tank fill door open? There is something inherently terribly wrong with the design of practically ALL these machines.

A washing machine (or a dishwasher for that matter) should not need a special cleaning cycle. They should get clean along with the clothes (or dishes) in the course of its regular cycle.

If I were a washer designer I would be a multi-millionaire because I would solve the problem. Really, how difficult can it be to pump out the remaining water from a front loader compared to a top loader?
 

Matt193

Well-Known Member
Mar 21, 2011
193
0
323
Wisconsin
Why should I leave the washer door open? Do I leave my house door open? Do I leave my car gas tank fill door open? There is something inherently terribly wrong with the design of practically ALL these machines.

A washing machine (or a dishwasher for that matter) should not need a special cleaning cycle. They should get clean along with the clothes (or dishes) in the course of its regular cycle.

If I were a washer designer I would be a multi-millionaire because I would solve the problem. Really, how difficult can it be to pump out the remaining water from a front loader compared to a top loader?

I completely agree with you. I guess that's my biggest complaint about going from a top load to a front load. I really liked the design and capacity of newer top load models but I'm going to eventually stack my pair to free up some much needed space in my laundry room.
 

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