Lets talk laundry

[Inkleg]

Going to be replacing an old center agitator washer and dryer soon. Looking at the newer top load high efficiency machines. Have narrowed down between these 3 machines. Seems the more I read the more confused I become.
Anyone have these or any thoughts?
I'm the primary launderer here, so yes talk to your wife about this if you need too.

[Beer-lord]

We have a High Efficiency Sears and it works well. Uses less water. I have heard they break easier but 3 years into it, no problems. You need special HE detergent (it's all over the place) and I did get the extended warranty but I usually don't. 3 years ago, these were somewhat new so I didn't want to take any chances.
The reviews for the Samsung don't look so good. Put the model # into google/bing and check out other reviews or try Consumer Reports to see what they think.

[BrownstotheBone]

Just went through this myself. I wanted to get something like the ones you're looking at but my local store/handyman changed my mind.

He said a lot of those circuit boards eventually go bad and when they do you have to order them from the manufacturer. Sometimes it takes weeks.

He said if I just bought a standard washer like an Estate/Whirlpool/Sears (center agitator) the parts are all easy to get and it can be fixed in a day. Plus it was cheaper and also uses less water.

Just my 2 cents. It's what worked for me. Plus mine sits down in the basement and I see it once a week. So I don't care as long as it works. You know, single guy syndrome. LOL

[bucknut]

We got the Maytag Bravos XL, bought a couple years ago so it's a little different. The wife likes it alot and she won't let me near it . She suggest if you get one of these HE top loaders to be sure to load it as if it has a center agitator, meaning keep the clothes away from the center or else they will knot up. We saw alot of people complaining about this before we bought ours. Oh yea, they use alot less water and detergent.

[Yankeedag]

we live up stream, so we just bag up a few clothes, toss them in the water tied to the grand kidlets, and when they start to sink after flailing about for a while, we figure the clothes are clean enough. The grand kidlest are good for about 3 loads each a day.
When you start asking about dryers, I'll tell you how we do that as well.... Just say'n

[philm00x]

I've got LG high eff washer and dryer, going on 4 years, and haven't had any problems. The HE detergent isn't much more expensive than regular. Actually, we find a lot of deals from Walgreen's for detergent, like buy 1 get 2 free at 5.99 and such. Saves water and power since you can have a load done in 20 mins if you do a speed wash, and still gets things clean. Whichever you get, I think you'll be happy.

[Brewbirds]

we live up stream, so we just bag up a few clothes, toss them in the water tied to the grand kidlets, and when they start to sink after flailing about for a while, we figure the clothes are clean enough. The grand kidlest are good for about 3 loads each a day.
When you start asking about dryers, I'll tell you how we do that as well.... Just say'n

We built our house about seven years ago and sicked my mom on appliance shopping, we had to buy two sets of everything, washer/dryer, ovens, microwaves, dishwashers etc. and for the W/D she picked the Maytag Neptune.

They aren't top loaders but they were designed to use less water and they are still going strong, the only appliances in the house that have not required a service call of any kind so far.

Don't know if anything has changed in design since we got ours but the ones we have we are pleased with.

[BigPapaG]

The Maytag has the better price but draws 15 amps, that's more than either of the others and is at the limit of most household 15 amp outlets. You may have a 20 amp circuit in your laundry room or not, should check that.

Overall, they have comparable features other than that... The Maytag is 15-17 pounds heavier than the other two as well...

Between the LG and the Samsung... The LG has Electro-mechanical controls while the Samsung has Electronic. That can be important... The electronic are generally more feature rich / convenient... But also more expensive to replace.

I kind of like the LG but the Samsung is nice too... I have also had some GE stuff that's good...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-Adora-4-8 ... pq6bqN5mSM

Bottom line is they all will break at some point in the future... It's gonna happen...

The dirty laundry of the appliance repair industry is that much of this stuff is easy to repair and parts are easily available online (even HD has a parts outlet!).

I have repaired many of my own units over the years and have also had to have a repairman come out on occasion...

Here's what I have seen... Many repairs on simpler machines (ie: mechanical and electro-mechanical) are easy and the parts are inexpensive... But the local handyman/shop/repair person will get much more in labor! With more complex machines, the replacement circuit can be hundreds of dollars and they will still get you for the labor, just not as much...

Most local repair folks will steer you away from the newer, fancier electronic models..

They can get two hours labor replacing a $4 switch that fails as opposed to trying to charge that same $160-$200 labor for replacing a $300 circuit board.

If you are going for the full extended warranty, the the above doesn't apply of course... Until the warranty expires that is!

Proof of point... Just recently bought a $249 extended warranty for my fridge... It was working but not getting cold enough... Repairman came, opened it up, found a screw had busted on a fan that moves cold air from the freezer to the fridge causing it to bind up... Replaced the screw... $214 repair... Free! Glad I bought the warranty and am good for the rest the warranty period...

On another note, have an electronic controlled stove that is failing... Diagnoses indicates a $350 control board... Stove is over ten years old so can't buy an extended warranty for it... It won't get repaired because it's half the price of a new range... It's all a balancing act...

[T8rSalad]

T8r's 2 cents: Been dealing with my appliance repairman since forever and his advice is/was to stay with the mechanical style machines (older fangled units as opposed to the new fangled ones like the Neptune etc)...What is the return on investment on each unit you are looking at? Water saved and electricity saved versus initial investment? Also it does cost quite a bit more in repair costs on the electronics of the new styles. Words of wisdom from my repairman. So we have always purchased the older style machines and that is T8r's 2 cents. Good luck and good fortunes in your pursuit of laundry bliss.

[Yankeedag]

Had a friend that had to have the latest and greatest.
Got a washer and dryer that had all the bells and whistles.
They had to have the service man out every other month or
So to replace electronic bits.
The wife and I were using a maytag that we had for over 8
Years, which we bought 2nd hand. The previous owner had it
For over 8 years.
Do the math.

[joechianti]

Mostly personal experience and opinion, definitely not any kind of technical know how here, but I have to go with the old fashioned type, as well. Last year we spent $350 trying to have a front loading electronic washer fixed, and then soon after the door switch went out and it was so electronically connected that it was gonna be another $100 or more plus we were told not to be surprised if another high dollar part which I forget the name of went out soon. We threw it out and got a used old top loader for $160 and it's worked flawlessly ever since. And that is pretty much the same experience I've had with every fancy new-fangled appliance I've ever had the misfortune to try. The less bells and whistles there are, the less it breaks down and the less it costs to fix it when it does. Well, that's all I got.

[D34THSPAWN]

We were given a set of high efficiency maytags top load washer without the center agitator, it has lasted the last year no problem, and without the agitator the capacity is fantastic and it seems to work quite well, it's got no fancy electrics that I can tell, cheap and good old fashioned with a touch of new

[RickBeer]

Have to reiterate that the more computer boards the more expensive a repair is and the more failure prone it is. I've put a surges on my refrigerators, my water softener, and would on any new appliance.

I also go by Consumer Reports, they give great observations on features and repair history. I also wouldn't pay the kind of money for a washer or dryer that some do - we're on our second washer in over 33 years and only got a new dryer because we switched from electric to gas, and it's been going for 16 years.

Edit - I would also add that Consumer Reports recommends not buying extended warranties as they are usually a waste of money. Many credit cards double a manufacturer's warranty of up to a year, and add up to a year to warranties of three years or less - so if it has a one year warranty they go to two. Some, like American Express, add a year to a warranty that is even longer, up to five years. And most extended warranties go unused.

[docpd]

We bought LG high efficiency washer and dryer last year and have been very pleased with it. Uses less water and cleans very well. The washer spin cycle drys the clothes so much that the dryer usually only has to run for 30 minutes or so.

[Trollby]

We have a Amana Washer and drier that we bought 12 years ago and still running strong. (Now I did it)

My wife really wants a front loader and one big enough for queen size comforter. Looking in to it I found that the best was a commercial washer and drier, just cost is HUGE since also needs to be 208-240v three phase but would last a life-time since designed for laundromat service (35# size).

Since total bill was over $4k for the washer alone wife said she would wait for now.

Just an fyi... the way they measure size is miss leading, a guy I know that owns a laundromat said that even if 5.1or what ever size many have the same load limits, so you could have a 3.8 that can handle the same amount as the 5.1 just you think you can stuff more but really over-loading the washer and they wear out faster.

He satated be sure to get load levels NOT size, that is the true measure of how much that they can wash and clean before overload and break