Way OT: Washer recommendations needed

[trener1]

My 19 year old washing machine seems to be on life support, so time for a new one.
Looking for a front loader that cleans well and will last for another 19 years.
We have young kids so it gets heavy use.
Anyone shop around lately? any recommendations?.

[hypnos]

Speed Queen

[bigbill]

On life support how? Unless it's a circuit board issue, wear parts are replaceable. I have replaced the door seal and some belts on my 2007 Kenmore (IIRC Whirlpool) front loader and it's fine. None of the parts were expensive and I watched youtube videos for instructions.

[oldguy00]

My advice, avoid the front load washers. Buy a classic style top load with the centre agitator.

[Wunder]

I've been happy with LG front load washers. Work well and I've had no reliability issues.

[Ken Robb]

Originally Posted by Wunder

I've been happy with LG front load washers. Work well and I've had no reliability issues.

We have had the same experience with LG front-loader.

[p nut]

Originally Posted by oldguy00

My advice, avoid the front load washers. Buy a classic style top load with the centre agitator.

Agreed on the top load. When I was shopping, I was also told to avoid front loaders.

On the agitator, I have found the unit we have without one cleans really well. On the plus side, you get more volume and no tangled mess (ie drawstrings getting tangled around the agitator).

Ours is an LG with WiFi. Been running great for 6 yrs.

[duff_duffy]

Plus one on skipping front loaders. Two family members have purchased front loaders on last 5 years and both keep the thing open all the time when not running to keep it from smelling like mildew. I don’t recall the details but both hate them.

Also, my 19 year old top loading washer I’ve gotten by with YouTube repair tutorials. I can’t set up hydraulic brakes but have had 100% success keeping my machine going for 19 years and under 100 in parts and just a screwdriver. Had to disconnect the lid shutoff safety switch but luckily nobody has tried to jump into it yet while running

Originally Posted by oldguy00

My advice, avoid the front load washers. Buy a classic style top load with the centre agitator.

[robt57]

Originally Posted by oldguy00

My advice, avoid the front load washers. Buy a classic style top load with the centre agitator.

Just a few notes since we went no agitator washer, front loader in our case.

We use 1/2 as much detergent, the amount of lint in the dryer is much less, do that math yourself.

It self resolves unbalances. Guessing top loader can't do that as well if at all. It spins clump slow to top and shakes it loose dropping to bottom and reset cycle. First time it did that I was like "no way".

It also spins more moisture out than any other machine we've ever had. Sounds like a turbine, the spin RPMs are insane.

The dryer also has a water connection, it uses this for a few cycles of refreshing and wrinkle obliterating quite well. Our set are 5 year old Samsung FWIW. Back when you could get a set on sale for 1200.00 which is what we paid. Prices for machine with the 'extra' cycles are stupid money it seems like.

[cbass]

I have a LG front loader which has been rock-solid so far. I'd recommend opening the door and soap loader for a few hours after washing to keep that wet water smell down. There's also a a little water reservoir at the bottom of the washer which can be accessed through a small panel on the front. I usually empty that after every wash. Depending on the load size there can be a significant volume of water in there.

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by cbass

I have a LG front loader which has been rock-solid so far. I'd recommend opening the door and soap loader for a few hours after washing to keep that wet water smell down. There's also a a little water reservoir at the bottom of the washer which can be accessed through a small panel on the front. I usually empty that after every wash. Depending on the load size there can be a significant volume of water in there.

That is the drain filter. It only needs to be emptied every once in a while
or so depending on how much washing you do. The point is to remove and clean the filter, not drain the water. The water in there is flushed out with every load you run. It is also recommended to run a cleanse cycle every 30 loads or so. A little bleach in the main compartment or dispenser (depending on the model) and 20 minutes later all done. This will keep any mold or mildew from forming.

[dgauthier]

If you want the new one to last 19+ years, there is only one.

Speed Queen: +1000.

You want the "old school" direct drive TC5 washer and matching dryer. Remember the washing machine your mother had decades ago that was built like a tank and worked perfectly for 30 years? The TC5 is that machine.

The TC5 is a top loader though. I suggest you go with it anyway. It's that good.

If you want to have some fun, there is a passionate (yes, passionate) Speed Queen fan base on the internet. Just Google around and you will find it. This YouTube video describes the fan base and the TC5 succinctly, starting at 2:10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRgbfxJ8MTQ

You won't find Speed Queen at the big box stores. You'll need to go to a "real" appliance store. This is exactly like going to a "real" bike store when you want a serious bike.

[AngryScientist]

I feel like front loaders were/are some fashion trend. Everyone had to have one as if anyone ever looks at your washing machine.

I had one at the old house, it sucked. Had to keep the door seal cleaned and as mentioned, the door open all the time.

It's a ridiculous concept really; why on earth build a machine where you need a submarine door to keep the water inside under normal operation where a top loader uses the beauty of gravity to simplify the whole process.

Anyway, a two decade old top loader came with the new house, and it's better in every way than our former "modern" front loader ever was.

If this one dies, I will go for a top loader without the agitator center beam, but will never go back to a front loader.

[rwsaunders]

Another vote for Speed Queen.

[einreb]

Originally Posted by rwsaunders

Another vote for Speed Queen.

and another