Any Front Loader washer testimonials?

JJT · Dec 4, 2004

Guys and Gals:

Well the 10 year old Amana washer, (problem free for 8000+ loads), needs to be replaced and I'm seriously considering a front loader. Benefits over a top loader - quieter, uses less than half the water, spins out more water for quicker drying, larger capacity and much more energy efficient.

Anyone out there with a front loader that they really like? How about the dislikes?

My wife looked at the Maytag Neptune this morning and didn't like the detergent dispenser. I work for GE so I get a pretty good discount in GE, Hotpoint and Profile appliances. We've also had great luck with Kenmore. Any other brands I should be checking out?

Not much on Consumer Reports.

About a year ago I took a close look at the Staber, real nice unit, just too small at 2 cubic feet.

Budget - $1000.

Thanks in advance, JT

GRUMPA · Dec 4, 2004

Well I dont know about how or who does the laundry in your household but my wife wouldn't want one of those on a bet. Shes forever opening up the lid to add stuff to it when its working. She says she'll never own one of those types. Once the door is closed and it starts your forced to wait till its done before you can open them up. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

shvl73 · Dec 4, 2004

We just bought a Kenmore #44142 about three weeks ago on a closeout for $600. So far she loves it. The old top loader would go out of balance almost every load. This one is 3.1 cu. ft. & handles everything the super capacity top loader would and more, including queen size comforters. The newer models have a larger door opening and probably some other features but were $400 more.

ns_in_tex · Dec 4, 2004

My wife has used maytag top loaders for 40+ years. She now has a Maytag front loader MAH6500AWW.

I think she might get rid of me before getting rid of this washer. She really likes it. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

She says, not only does it save on water, hot water ETC. It get the clothes cleaner and drier, so it cuts down on drying time also.

Boondox · Dec 4, 2004

We bought a Kenmore front loader three years ago in the middle of a drought because our old top loader was a real water hog. When you're tapped into the pond for drinking water you don't dare waste a drop! Besides, our septic field was on its last legs and we thought reducing the input would help it last longer. That part didn't work.

But we absolutely LOVE that front loader! It's downright miserly on water and we never knew clothes could be so clean! It even takes less soap! My only complaint is it spins so fast the first few weeks I thought a plane was flying low over us when the spin cycle kicked in! But the advantage to that fast spin is the clothes come out nearly dry; an hour on the clothesline and they're ready to wear.

Pete

scout180 · Dec 4, 2004

Our daughter loves her Maytag after 3 months. She plans to put the matching drier on top of the new washer whenever the old one gives out - creates storage space in her kitchen pantry closet where she's stuck with no where else for the laundry.

For me, as a broken back person, I wonder about the leaning over to load it - but my equally impaired spouse says we'll make up for it by having the dryer up high....

We're just waiting for the 22 yr old Kenmores to go and will do the same thing in our basement laundry area. I also plan to go with natural gas for the next dryer. More pricey but cheaper to operate here in VA.

Dave

Jim_Slagle · Dec 4, 2004

Our Maytag front loader is three years old and it is GREAT!

Bird · Dec 4, 2004

The only front loader my wife and I have ever used was the Splendide in our motorhome and it was great, but you probably don't want one that small. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif One of my brothers just replaced his with a new one in the motorhome he's lived in the last 12 years.

JDGREEN4ME · Dec 4, 2004

Front loaders use less water and provide better cleaning action than a top loader. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

thcri · Dec 4, 2004

Our front loader is a New Holland 7308!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif As far as washing clothes with it I don't think it would do so good because of how dirty it is. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Other than that I love it. So does my wife because I move things around the house for her. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

All fun a side. We bought the Maytag brand 4 years ago. My wife likes it a lot. With a septic tank it is nice because of the water usage. As far as adding as you go along, there is a place to add on top of the washer for your soaps and etc. I really don't think we would go back to the top loading after having these. One thing my wife would like as she is tall is the boxes you put underneath them to raise them up a bit. I think them boxes even have draws to put junk in. I think that is.

murph

sendero · Dec 4, 2004

I've always heard that a front loader outperforms a top loader, but why? I can't see the physical advantage...

MarkLeininger · Dec 4, 2004

We have a Maytag Neptune about 3 or 4 years old. Love the concept but there have been enough problems with this model that there was a large class action lawsuit which Maytag settled by giving away everything from free repairs to credits toward new washers. We fell just outside the bounds of all the conditions that would have gotten us some kind of credit. The problem revolved around the door and it's controls. We had our control unit fail a month after the warranty ended, but had the extended warranty so that picked up the !$250! cost for the part, plus labor. We had intermittent problems with the door latching properly until the control unit completely failed and was replaced, and there have been occasions where there is a slight mold odor. I guess the door somehow traps water in a place where it stagnates and causes mold to form. All these were identified in the lawsuit as common problems.

The things we like about the concept of a front loader are the reduced water usage, lack of damage to the clothes, and not having the out of balance spin dry problem where the machine hops its way out of the laundry room. I would buy another one but I'd get a different brand, probalby Kenmore because I've had good luck with all their stuff.

GerardC · Dec 4, 2004

I bought this Kenmore set back in 2001. Never had a problem with either unit. I believe that Whirlpool is the manufacturer. I think the set was about $1,100 + tax. Had them delivered and set up was included. Gerard

GerardC · Dec 4, 2004

Once the door is closed and it starts your forced to wait till its done before you can open them up.


NOT true with the new ones. All you do is push the start/stop knob in and the door unlocks. If you fail to push the knob in, the door WILL NOT OPEN! Gerard

GerardC · Dec 4, 2004

( I've always heard that a front loader outperforms a top loader, but why? I can't see the physical advantage... )

Because the tumble action does not rub the clothes against the agitator like the top load models.
Our clothes are much cleaner now than before too. Gerard

AndyM · Dec 4, 2004

We've had our Maytag Neptune washer and dryer for almost two years. We bought it because of the recomendation from some friends of ours who bought one not too long after they came out (1998, I think?).

I've heard that others have not been so lucky, but ours has been problem-free since we bought it. I was always told that front loaders use less water and less electricity and, since there is no agitator, they are more gentle towards your clothes. Also, less water going in means less water going out, so it helps our septic system too! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

We love it and would buy the Maytag Neptune again.
All of the rest of our appliances are Maytags also-- range, dishwasher, refrigerator, and microwave.

**************

Now, the rest of the story...

For a long period of time, the Neptune washers were $999, no matter where you went. They didn't go on sale anywhere EVER. We bought ours at Lowes, and I took it home and hooked it up. Before it had even been used once, I was at Home Depot a few days later and saw Maytag Neptune washing machines for $899...

I went next door to the Lowes store where I bought the washing machine a few days before, and showed them their "guaranteed lowest price policy"
You know, if you find it somewhere else for a lower price within 30 days, they will match the price plus 10 percent...

The manager at Lowes told me that Home Depot was closing out that model and it wasn't going to be sold there anymore, and the Lowes price guarantee didn't apply to "closeouts" at other stores...

I went scrolled further down the page and showed him the other fine print. To paraphrase, it said if I'm not satisfied with an item that I bought at Lowes for any reason, I can bring it back within 30 days for a full refund. I told him I would take him up on that policy-- I would bring back my unused washing machine to Lowes and get a refund for $999, then I would go next door to Home Depot and buy the exact same washing machine for $899...

The store manager gave me a gift card for $110. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

**************

Shortly after we bought ours, production was moved to Mexico /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif, and the firm price of $999 at every store is much lower now. I think I saw them for $799 within the past couple of weeks.

RoyJackson · Dec 4, 2004

I have a 419 Front Loader on my 790. I have been very happy...oh, you're asking about washing machines!!??

Nevermind!

AndyM · Dec 4, 2004

I have a 419 Front Loader on my 790. I have been very happy...oh, you're asking about washing machines!!?? 

When I bought my New Holland TC18 last year, the CFO wouldn't let me get the front loader, because it would cost more money.

Because of this thread, I've just realized that MrsAndyM got to pay extra to get a front loader and I didn't! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Bird · Dec 4, 2004

( the 10 year old Amana washer, (problem free for 8000+ loads), needs to be replaced )

This may be a timely topic for me. Our Kenmore washer and dryer will be 10 years old this month and I've been wondering when I'd have to replace them. I replaced a leaking water pump in the washer about 4 years ago, but otherwise they've been trouble free.

YanmarFever · Dec 4, 2004

We bought a maytag stacking model with a digital front panel back in 1988 and its still rolling along good. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
better cross my fingers !