Washing machine recommendations?

[rodr]

Our washing machine has pretty much self-destructed and needs to be replaced ASAP. It's a large capacity (4.5 cu. ft.) "high efficiency" model (Whirlpool Cabrio).

Lessons learned so far are:

1. Almost all washing machines suck. If you look up just about any model number on Amazon, it's got like 2-3 stars of average user reviews. Common complaints are high failure rates, leaking and frequent unbalanced loads.

2. High efficiency models don't clean very well. They are very stingy with water and have no agitator.

I think we want a traditional non-HE top loader with an agitator and large capacity. Any suggestions?

 

[bikeama]

Have had good luck with Maytag top loader. Last two went over 12 years each.

 

[Ant]

Our washing machine has pretty much self-destructed and needs to be replaced ASAP. It's a large capacity (4.5 cu. ft.) "high efficiency" model (Whirlpool Cabrio).

Lessons learned so far are:

1. Almost all washing machines suck. If you look up just about any model number on Amazon, it's got like 2-3 stars of average user reviews. Common complaints are high failure rates, leaking and frequent unbalanced loads.

2. High efficiency models don't clean very well. They are very stingy with water and have no agitator.

I think we want a traditional non-HE top loader with an agitator and large capacity. Any suggestions?

This.

I get about 9+ years from the basic bare bones Whirlpools. Your clothes can't tell it's not a fancy machine and the clothes still come out clean. The one I have now I bought at Fry's and it was a little over $500 delivered and installed and they took the old one away.

 

[byke]

We bought some new LG front loaders similar to these in April and they've been going almost non-stop since. For the last month they've been going all effing day with blankets soaked in puppy shit and piss. They're nice and quiet and have been doing an amazing job cleaning. We shake off the bigger pieces of shit and just say "ah, fuck it" with anything that sticks and these blankets come out like new. Can't say much to the longevity, but the performance is pretty impressive with good sized pieces of shit.

 

[Johndicezx9]

Always had good luck with Kenmore...

 

[corndog67]

I've got a Costco Kirkland/Whirlpool Premium, bought it supposedly 1 year old (not absolutely sure about the age), for $175, 5 years ago. It just recently ate the lid switch, so I bypassed it, and it works fine again. I'll probably just buy a new one next time something fails.

 

[900ss]

Our washing machine has pretty much self-destructed and needs to be replaced ASAP. It's a large capacity (4.5 cu. ft.) "high efficiency" model (Whirlpool Cabrio).

Lessons learned so far are:

1. Almost all washing machines suck. If you look up just about any model number on Amazon, it's got like 2-3 stars of average user reviews. Common complaints are high failure rates, leaking and frequent unbalanced loads.

2. High efficiency models don't clean very well. They are very stingy with water and have no agitator.

I think we want a traditional non-HE top loader with an agitator and large capacity. Any suggestions?

That is the same machine as our Kenmore Oasis HE that I just repaired. What went bad on it?

 

[rodr]

That is the same machine as our Kenmore Oasis HE that I just repaired. What went bad on it?

Bearings are bad, with water leaking into them. Sounds like a freight train on the spin cycle. And some rust/grease crap is getting into the wash water and staining things. Would be around $400 to fix, not worth it.

Repair guy said the electronics tend to go bad after a few years also, so we'd be due for that soon.

 

[MrIncredible]

We have a Fisher and Paykel washer that we've been doing endless loads of cloth diapers in for almost 2.5 years.

I find the controls take some getting used to (so many buttons!) but it's been flawless-quiet, clothes come out clean, and you can set the water usage to your liking.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Kenmore direct drives are virtually indestructable, but they're center agitator top loaders, so they use 56 gllons of water per cycle as opposed to the 12g HE washers use.

HE washers suffer:

1.) computer failures

2.) Main bearing failures

3.) Drain pumps are weak, but easily replaced.

 

[channelcat]

I got a pos Kenmore central agitator, parting gift from an ex. don't know how many gph it uses. I turn it off after the initial fill, a manual 'soak' cycle. what really ticks me off is that the the heavy cycle fills with hot water, and the light load fills with cold. why cant the low water level light cycle fill with hot water?
pretty insidious something in there. it would probably be cheaper, long run to go to the self serve laundromat.

 

[900ss]

Bearings are bad, with water leaking into them. Sounds like a freight train on the spin cycle. And some rust/grease crap is getting into the wash water and staining things. Would be around $400 to fix, not worth it.

Repair guy said the electronics tend to go bad after a few years also, so we'd be due for that soon.

That is the same problem ours had. Shaft,bearings and seal (sold as a kit) cost $85.00 and took about an hour and a half for me to change. I made a bearing press at work one evening that worked great. Most of the time was spent trying to lift the tub off the shaft because of the rust. The seal is a shitty design in my opinion. If nothing else goes wrong I would be happy doing this job over again in a couple of years to keep it going.

Our last Kenmore basic set lasted 25 years with no trouble! New washers and dryers truly are crap.

 

[rodr]

Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions. Good stuff.

We bought some new LG front loaders similar to these in April and they've been going almost non-stop since. For the last month they've been going all effing day with blankets soaked in puppy shit and piss. They're nice and quiet and have been doing an amazing job cleaning. We shake off the bigger pieces of shit and just say "ah, fuck it" with anything that sticks and these blankets come out like new. Can't say much to the longevity, but the performance is pretty impressive with good sized pieces of shit.

Front loaders are interesting. It makes sense that the tub orientation would be good for the wash part and bad for the spin part. Reviews I've seen indicate longevity is not too good.

That is the same problem ours had. Shaft,bearings and seal (sold as a kit) cost $85.00 and took about an hour and a half for me to change. I made a bearing press at work one evening that worked great. Most of the time was spent trying to lift the tub off the shaft because of the rust. The seal is a shitty design in my opinion. If nothing else goes wrong I would be happy doing this job over again in a couple of years to keep it going.

Sounds like you really did your homework with that! I never even considered trying to fix it myself. Sounds easier than the last motorcycle repair I did. But, wifey doesn't like the machine anyway.

 

[rodr]

Best washer review ever, LOL.

http://www.amazon.com/review/R18L34DTGO6R4C/

 

[Killroy1999]

I would go with a side loader. Less water less energy.

 

[afm199]

I've got a Costco Kirkland/Whirlpool Premium, bought it supposedly 1 year old (not absolutely sure about the age), for $175, 5 years ago. It just recently ate the lid switch, so I bypassed it, and it works fine again. I'll probably just buy a new one next time something fails.

I just did one of those bypass operations. Works fine now.

Almost forgot. My mom bought a Kenmore in 1965-70 or so. When she died in 2000 it was still going strong. I should have kept it, I've gone through two or three in the last 25 years.

 

[250mL]

My LG, direct drive, front load washer has been great. No children in the house, but do have 3 dogs. We use the sanitize function for dog bedding and the smell comes out every time.

I like the front loader for the reduced water consumption. But more importantly for us is the fact that front loaders spin dry clothes much better than the top loaders. We line dry primarily, so the clothes takes far less time to dry than previous.

 

[rodr]

My LG, direct drive, front load washer has been great. No children in the house, but do have 3 dogs. We use the sanitize function for dog bedding and the smell comes out every time.

I like the front loader for the reduced water consumption. But more importantly for us is the fact that front loaders spin dry clothes much better than the top loaders. We line dry primarily, so the clothes takes far less time to dry than previous.

Hmm, another vote for LG front loaders. How long have you had it? How well does it manage large loads?

 

[Snapping Twig]

I just did one of those bypass operations. Works fine now.

Almost forgot. My mom bought a Kenmore in 1965-70 or so. When she died in 2000 it was still going strong. I should have kept it, I've gone through two or three in the last 25 years.

In this world there's lots of bad ideas, this is one of them.

Lid switches are cheap and plentiful.

Getting caught in a spinning washer can do more than just hurt you.

Replace it!

 

[Diezel]

This.

I get about 9+ years from the basic bare bones Whirlpools. Your clothes can't tell it's not a fancy machine and the clothes still come out clean. The one I have now I bought at Fry's and it was a little over $500 delivered and installed and they took the old one away.

+1 We bought a Top Loader whirlpool like 2 years ago. Replaced the GE pos we had, that had a fucking PLASTIC drive motor coupler. Plastic, FUCKING PLASTIC!?!?!?!

So now we have the Whirlpool Top Loader (no idea the model number, Bought it in 2010). That has been awesome for us.

We also have a GE Dryer, (GTDP300EM1WS) - Only issue I've ever had, was squeaking. Solved by a bit of RED locktite, and a 8mm socket wrench. The bolts holding the drum, came loose. Fixed, and has NEVER returned.