efficient washer/dryer

Bob_Skurka · Jun 9, 2005

We've had a front load Amana set for about 5 or 6 years. The dryer has never been a problem.

We've had 2 problems with the washer, the first was covered by warranty, I can't remember what the problem was, but it was fixed and has not been an issue again. The 2nd was a problem that was probably just a fluke, but some elastic from some item of clothing slipped down into the discharge impeller and bound it up, causing it to burn out. It took the repair guy about 2 hours to actually find the problem, he said he'd never seen/heard of it ever happening before. We had to order the part, so the washer was down for 2 or 3 days before it was fixed. Overall we are very happy with the Amana units. We looked at the Maytags they cost several hundred more and were rated poorly (at the time) compared to the Amana, and Amana (at the time) was given very high marks by Consumer Reports (and I don't take their word as gospel about a lot of their ratings, but in this case, we agree that Amana makes a very good unit at a very good price).

Bird · Jun 9, 2005

( There's something called a Danby that seems to be worse. )

I had never heard of Danby until we went shopping this time for compact models. Home Depot had the Danby; looked pretty good, but if I remember right, the dryer was 120 volt instead of 240. And in searching for information on the Internet, it appears that they are Canadian machines and I found both rants and raves many places /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif so I have no idea how good they are.

( VERY important that you don't move these machines unless the shipping bolts are in place )

I wondered just how important those are. I tried to get Sears to come down a bit on the price and just load the machines in my pickup, but didn't get anywhere. Delivery, installation, and haul off the old machines was $45, but then they had a $45 rebate for that (which came promptly) so it was going to cost the same for me to do it as to let them, so naturally I let them. The delivery guys took the machine off the truck, then removed those shipping bolts before bringing the machine into the house. And they gave me the shipping bolts and told me to use them if we ever move.

( plan to start bugging the sears outlet store in hopes of finding a dented or scratched )

I did that, too, but they didn't ever have those Maytags that we wanted. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Jagmandave · Jun 9, 2005

We have the Kenmore units that we bought at Sear's scratch and dent store - BTW - I highly recommed their outlet store for purchases of this type. I've bought many major appliances there and save anywhere from 30% to 80%, and frequently can't find a mark anywhere.

On the washer, I've only had one problem, I had a water supply hose burst and water got into the rear main bearing, I have yet to replace it but it's noisy now.

On dryers....we bought a more "upscale" version with the moisture sensor etc - not so happy with it, I don't know if there's an adjustment needed or what, but on jans and such I have to run them thru twice to get them dry. I think I prefer a less "enhanced" model with a dryness setting and a timer.

My wife definitely feels the clothes come out cleaner tho, using the front loader........

skent · Jun 9, 2005

Bought a Maytag neptune in 2001. Three weeks out of the box we had issues with the door not unlocking at the end of the cycle. Service rep said big problem is with door lock assy and replaced it. A few weeks later it started again, this time he said it was the control board. Then it was the motor controller, then the mold problem started, then it wouldn't spin properly. I wrote a letter to Maytag and a very polite gal called and wanted to know how Maytag could make me happy. I said "Buy it back: and they did. They pro-rated the two years we had the machine (estimated 20 year life) and sent a service rep with a check for $890.00.
I wasn't happy with the product, but the company did stand behind it.

We went out and got the GE front load (with the mechanical timer) for $550.00 and haven't had a problem for over 2 years.

Phils · Jun 9, 2005

Jagmandave,

You mentioned the time to dry jeans. Tho not exactly about this thread question, I thought I'd mention that if you use the dryer sheet fabric softeners, a thin film buildup occurs on the lint screen. Take it out and hold it under a faucet to verify this and/or check Snopes, who will verify this is true and not a "myth". Water will either not go through the screen or will go through with restriction. If you wash the screen your clothes will dry twice as fast (one cycle instead of two). I was informed of this by a relative and tried it, and it worked noticeably! But don't take only my word for it. I check EVERY claim I receive by email at www.snopes.com for accuracy/truth. 99% are myths/false. Washing your lint screen is true.

At Snopes, just type "dryer lint screen" into the search function.
Phil

NIXON · Jun 9, 2005

Bob . Does then Amana remove the scent of Deisel ?
Sorry, but I just can't get that post You made out of my mind /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif It is a TBN classic . John

slapshot · Jun 9, 2005

We recently bought a Fisher & Paykel washer and dryer combo. We got the top load dryer and love both.
The washer hits 1000rpm during the spin cycle the clothes come out darn near dry. Both units are HIGHLY effeicent in both electrical consumption and water consumption (big factor for me being on septic system).
I think they are somewhat cheaper than the Bosch as well.

-dave

Bob_Skurka · Jun 9, 2005

Bob . Does then Amana remove the scent of Deisel ?
Sorry, but I just can't get that post You made out of my mind It is a TBN classic . John


YES JOHN . . . but it does not wash away the night tremors I still experience.

rogdan · Jun 9, 2005

Thanks for the info. I will research all these brands. From some research I learned that front loaders take longer for a cycle, enabling the dryer to keep up.
I will using a well as "well" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, but will be able to avoid draining into the septic. I will give propane consideration for the dryer as well as one that monitors for dryness of the clothes over a timer (like I have now)

kenmac · Jun 9, 2005

Its not a front loader, but I have a maytag washer over 10 yrs now & still washing alot of clothes without any problems.

gsxr1100 · Jun 10, 2005

My sister has there Atlantis model. Half the price on our Nepture will lots of issues.

rogdan · Jun 10, 2005

Heard enough to steer clear of Maytag this time around. When everything else is near equal it will probably come down price and warranty.
I think going with a propane dryer will limit my options some. The only feature I want with it is the moisture sensor to avoid over drying and unnecessary expense.
Thanks greatly folks! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

gsxr1100 · Jun 10, 2005

our gas dryer has that; yes maytag. I think they call it "Automatic dryness control " or "Adjustable degree of dryness". I used that on the clothes so they do not come out hotter then a deep fryer with french fries!

boustany · Jun 10, 2005

In general, the front loader washers are very efficient (quiet too). I bought Whirlpool and am pleased so far.

I will never, ever, ever, waste another penny on Maytag. They are crap. I bought all Maytag appliances (stove, fridge, cooktop, washer, dryer) about 10 years ago, and ended up replacing all of them after fixing all of them (except the cooktop) at least once. The stove was such a piece of junk, the hinges wore out once a year!

I stupidly replaced the Maytag washer with another Maytag (top of the line then) which had major repairs about 4 times in three years. After the motor seized and was replaced under warranty, I gave it away to some unsuspecting needy people.

I should mention, one of the reasons I believe our front loader is so efficient is that the clothes come our of the washer almost dry, so they actually dry very quickly in the dryer.

The Maytag repairman is sleeping because he is exhausted.

Treed_in_TX · Jun 10, 2005

I bought a Bosch set in May of last year. At the time we had sold our house and left the washer and dryer. There wasn't enough value left in them to haul them downstairs. Since we were moving to a yet unpurchased farm which we knew would be on a septic system we wanted an inexpensive to operate setup that would be very efficient with its water use. The Bosch (at the time) used very little water as do most of the front loaders. The other good thing was the $16.00 annual cost of electricity to run them. So far we have been extreemely pleased with their operation. Just this week we had our first problem with the washer. My wife may have gotten a little enthusiastic pulling the clothes out of the washer and pulled the gasket off it's mount. The gasket had a thin grove around the circumfrence that contained a tensioning wire and spring. It took some a lot of tugging and a little harsh language to get it to seat again but it did and works as good as new.

kenmac · Jun 10, 2005

From reading this post , it appears all brands have issues. I have had bad luck with all types of GE appliances.I had a GE washer & dryer that I replaced with matag.Like I said I have had o problems with my maytag ,although it appears that others have had problems with their products.I guess you just buy & hope for the best as you can get a lemon in all brands.

DaNag · Jun 10, 2005

( We recently bought a Fisher & Paykel washer and dryer combo. We got the top load dryer and love both.)

We don't have the dryer, but I'll second the Fisher & Paykel washer - we've had one for almost a year now, and my wife loves it. Best washer we've ever had. Most folks haven't heard of them, as they're relatively new to the US market, but they've been sold in New Zealand and Austraila for years. They have an excellent reputation.

It's WAY cheaper than the Neptune, and is every bit as energy efficient. It has a very simple design. No belts; the tub is direct drive. The tub is huge and stainless, and it handles large loads very well.

And yup...the spin dry is unmatched. 1000 RPM's on the high speed setting, the thing sounds like an Apache helicopter when it spins up. Once at speed, it's pretty quiet. While it is miserly on water, this spin speed is where the real energy savings comes in. Our drying time has been reduced by at least half since getting this washer, as most things we wash can handle the high speed setting.

It's got plenty of lower stress settings, both agitation and spin speed, for the delicates.

Here's a link to the model info from the manufacturer. We paid about $570, including delivery and installation.

gsxr1100 · Jun 10, 2005

I agree that all items have problems. Example, my BX22 has major hyd issues.

But on the flip side my parents, my sister and myself all have Maytage products we ALL have major problems with there models (washer wise).

I will be buying a new washer next year and the wife so "I do not care about price, give me something that works and has no problems".

the new one WILL be one of these:

http://www.universal-akb.com/milacatowaw1.html
(heavy and low electron use)

http://www.universal-akb.com/27lgwawm1.html
(due to the higher speed)

http://www.universal-akb.com/aswaw61.html
(for low water and electron use)
(but I could care less about wter used)

ALBALD1 · Jun 10, 2005

we bought maytag when we got married & I've put a switch in the washer(robbed it from a junker) & a heating element in the dryer sind may of 91. the dryer motor just starting making noise & i figured to replace it with another, but i got lucky & won a prize from work. the prize is a whirlpool frntload washer & dryer. perfect timing, but while waiting for deliver on 6-20, the old dryer died. hopefully whirlpool don't have all the probs mentioned here.

BlueRidge · Jun 10, 2005

( Its not a front loader, but I have a maytag washer over 10 yrs now & still washing alot of clothes without any problems. )

Don't doubt it, Ken. My father was in the laundry business and thought highly of Maytag. But their front loaders have apparently been a nightmare.