washer dryer recommendations

[LCHIEN]

Hmmm, seems like the dryer just bit the dust. probably fixable but I did buy the Maytag pair in 1979 so its 32+ years old... I guess I got my money's worth.

Anyone have recommendations? I haven't even thought about buying one for 30-some years and have no idea what's out there. Seems to be all front load nowadays (top loads still available???) and all the EE journals I read talk about how people are dissatisfied by the mandated energy saving designs not doing a good job cleaning.

[cabinetman]

You didn't mention if you wanted straight electric, or if you have gas availability for the drier.

.

[jdon]

FWIW, LOML loves our Maytag (Whirlpool family) front loader, with gas dryer stacked- no complaints re: cleaning ability. It's large capacity- not smaller capacity Duet Sport line, which has less than stellar reputation.

[Tom Slick]

We have a Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer. We upgraded from a 90's mid-grade set and couldn't be happier. The washer definitely does a better job than the previous top loader, uses a lot less water and we've had zero maintenance issues in 4 years.

[JimD]

I have a Fisher&Paykel, made in New Zealand. It is a top loader with the effiency of a front loader. Instead of using the agitator to beat the dirt out of the clothers, it pumps soapy water out of the agitator through the clothes. Spins really fast on the final rinse cycle to minimize drying time. Stainless steel tub. No front seal to leak. We got it at Lowe's and I think they still sell them. Top loader fits the laundry room better too and allowed us to leave the cabinet on the wall where it was.

I don't think dryers are as critical. They seem pretty basic and relatively inexpensive. I don't think they need to match.

Jim

[Whaler]

We put in an LG front loader and matching dryer this spring and love them.

[All Thumbs]

Fix the Maytag.

Anything new is a full one or two steps down in the quality and MTBF department.

[LCHIEN]

You didn't mention if you wanted straight electric, or if you have gas availability for the drier.

.

Gas Dryer.

[Dal300]

Yup, keep the Maytag.... my ex-boss has an old one with a gasoline engine that is in the barn. He uses it during the spring to wash the rags, blankets and towels that farm critters are wiped off with when they are born.

I think he changed the spark plug in it about 20 years ago.

[Tom Slick]

This brand is interesting
http://www.staber.com/

Made in USA, commercial grade parts

[parnelli]

mandated energy saving designs not doing a good job cleaning.

What mandated energy saving designs??

Front loaders I thought were market driven. I bought a top loader just a couple years back and saw them at the store a couple days ago.

That said, I'd get a front loader next time. My inlaws have the front load and it gets out more water which equals less dry time. Had experience with this at a vacation house we rented last summer as well.

Significantly cut down on the time washing/drying routine. And when I bought mine, I even went extra $ for the model with faster spin to supposedly get more water out.

[Tom Slick]

A week's worth of clothes for myself is one load in my washer. That's 3-4 pairs of jeans, shirts, underwear, socks. That used to be 2 loads in the old "XL" capacity washer. It takes about 1 hr to wash and 35 mins to dry in the Duets.

The newer dryers have moisture sensors so they only dry the clothing to the set dryness level instead of an arbitrary timer.

[Cochese]

Hmmm, seems like the dryer just bit the dust. probably fixable but I did buy the Maytag pair in 1979 so its 32+ years old... I guess I got my money's worth.

Anyone have recommendations? I haven't even thought about buying one for 30-some years and have no idea what's out there. Seems to be all front load nowadays (top loads still available???) and all the EE journals I read talk about how people are dissatisfied by the mandated energy saving designs not doing a good job cleaning.

That's a technique issue versus a machine issue.

Our agitator-less HE washer gets stuff clean as good as or better than our old one. One day I'll also get around to running a water line to the dryer for the steam function.

[LCHIEN]

I have a Fisher&Paykel, made in New Zealand. It is a top loader with the effiency of a front loader. Instead of using the agitator to beat the dirt out of the clothers, it pumps soapy water out of the agitator through the clothes. Spins really fast on the final rinse cycle to minimize drying time. Stainless steel tub. No front seal to leak. We got it at Lowe's and I think they still sell them. Top loader fits the laundry room better too and allowed us to leave the cabinet on the wall where it was.

I don't think dryers are as critical. They seem pretty basic and relatively inexpensive. I don't think they need to match.

Jim

Sorry to say F&P rates bottom of the Consumer Reports 4-year reliability surveys.
About twice as bad as the next worst and 3 times worse than the top reported for rates of repair. Usually CR is good about only reporting statistically valid info - where there's enough samples to draw a valid conclusion.

LG rates top for both gas and electric dryers and for front load washers.

I bought Maytag on CR recommendation 32 years ago and never made a repair call. I'll go with CR recommendation and probably get a LG.

[Tom Slick]

Do your homework on where parts and service come from for a LG, Samsung, etc. A few years ago, when I was in your situation, LG Samsung, etc were only sold at BORG and service came from 3 hrs away. Maytag, Whirlpool, GE, F&P, Bosch, etc were serviced by every appliance shop in the area.