Front Load Washer

[Bird]

Charlz, I had the same thing. When our washer died, my wife wanted a bigger dryer to go with a bigger washer, and she said she thought the dryer was taking longer to dry clothes than it did when it was new. So I let them haul off the old washer and I gave the dryer to my grandson.

 

[Kfbeal]

Our 7 year old Kenmore washer had some transmission problems where it slung all the oil out and wouldn't spin dry the clothes. Almost wouldn't spin with clothes in it. I took it apart several times to clean the oil and it worked but I finally gave up tearing it apart. I got prices on the tranmission and it was about $80 less than a new washer. Well, it didn't match our dryer (which also seemed to take a while longer to dry), so we ended up with the Kenmore Elite front-load washer/dryer combo with the stands. The stands make it easy on your back, plus you get a little storage.

Front-load washers have been around for years, just commercial. Laundromats have used them for the past century it seems which also seems to have paid off for them.

After every load we open up the door and soap dispenser is a good idea. The thing spins so fast that the clothes are almost dry when they leave the washer. We can wash/dry more clothes in less time, and save energy/water while doing it.

 

[Bird]

I don't know how long front loaders have been around, but the motorhome we bought in the Fall of 1991 had a Splendide front loader washer/dryer all-in-one unit that worked very well. Of course it was pretty small so you did small loads.

 

[Alan L.]

A washer/dryer that are only 6 or 7 years old are just broke in. Ours are more than 12 years old and we have called for repairs maybe once a year during the last 2 or 3 years, never costing more than $100, usually less.

As for the dryer, sounds like an element is out if its not getting hot. If it seems to be hot but won't dry the vent is probably plugged up and needs to be cleaned out periodically.

The new front loads are nice but read about mildew problems because there are parts inside, and on the door seal that never dry out. Also, the electronics (as the electronics on ALL new appliances including top loads) are very expensive and when they go out you can chunk the whole thing.

I don't belive the new units are made for the long haul. The older appliances are better and if was me I'd just keep fixing them until it makes no sense to do so. If a timer goes out the would be a good time to replace them.

Having said all of that my daughter just got a pair of front loads and loves them, but, good grief they cost twice as much!

Just my two cents.

 

[coobie]

Our dryer just bit the dust. It's been slowly fading for a few months but finally has no heat. I checked the vents/etc and don't see anything obvious. Could be minor but then again could be major. The washer has had some issues the past year. Both are about 6-7 years old and I'm afraid if I call a repair man it might cost 2-300 hundred to fix. I've been thinking about buying a front load washer and dryer to replace the older washer and dryer to a few reasons. First, we have a well and septic and feel I'll save the water consumption along with being less taxing to our septic system. Second, I don't think spending the money to fix the washer and dryer is money well spent. They say washer/dryers last 12-14 years. So, can anyone give me recommendations of a GOOD front loader under 1K? I have NO clue what options are important and which ones are "fluff".

Thanks,
Doug

My good friend has repaired on washers & dryers for the last 25 years.He has told me you are very lucky now to get 5-6 years out of any machine with out some type of repair.We needed a new washer recently and he told me to buy a commerical grade Speed Queen washer because it has a full three year warrenty,my fingers are crossed.coobie

 

[Steve_Miller]

Concerning the vibration of the washing machines. Mine was an expensive LG set. I was in the same boat as a few of you, vibration was transferred through the porch where the machine was. I have a framed floor (2X10 with 3/4" plywood) that I was blaming. I made a stand and reinforced it and then screwed it to the floor and it still vibrated. Then one day out of the blue I thought if you pay this much for a machine and you blame the shaking on everything else, there must be some sort of anti vibration devices on these machines, so I finally clued in (took long enough though) and discovered that by adjusting the feet to suit the floor I eliminated the vibration completely! To my amazement I still can't figure out why I will not read the instructions when setting something up rather than cursing the device til you have to put your tail between your legs or at least not tell any one what you did to fix something.


Steve

 

[Travelover]

Concerning the vibration of the washing machines. Mine was an expensive LG set. I was in the same boat as a few of you, vibration was transferred through the porch where the machine was. I have a framed floor (2X10 with 3/4" plywood) that I was blaming. I made a stand and reinforced it and then screwed it to the floor and it still vibrated. Then one day out of the blue I thought if you pay this much for a machine and you blame the shaking on everything else, there must be some sort of anti vibration devices on these machines, so I finally clued in (took long enough though) and discovered that by adjusting the feet to suit the floor I eliminated the vibration completely! To my amazement I still can't figure out why I will not read the instructions when setting something up rather than cursing the device til you have to put your tail between your legs or at least not tell any one what you did to fix something.


Steve

Good tip. I've also hear of people putting rubber mats under their front loader machines - like horse stall mats, or they sell rubber discs made for this purpose to put under each leg..

 

[charlz]

so I finally clued in (took long enough though) and discovered that by adjusting the feet to suit the floor I eliminated the vibration completely!

Yep, it actually took me a few tries to get it 'right' but can still feel a faint vibration upstairs when it is on spin. We bought a fairly expensive LG set as well. Wife really likes it so I guess that's what counts

 

[milkman]

Got a Bosch front loader about year and a half ago, about eight months ago got the matching dryer. It washes at least twice the load of the old Maytag and even with twice the size load, the clothes will dry in half the time it took to dry a load from the top loader. Sometimes you could feel the old washer shake in another room so I was worried about the front loader as there have been claims that they were a problem on wooden floor. The front loader is no worse than the old washer, even notice it less as the load doesn't get unbalanced near as often. I like the fact that we can wash twice the amount of clothes with the same detergent as the old washer, and drying twice the clothes in half the time is nice.

Forgot to mention, it is sure a lot quieter too and no odor or mold either.