Front Load Washers revisited...

[milkman]

Our 12 year old Maytag top loader quit agitating and when I took the front off to look at it, I saw that a seal was also starting to leak so we decided to just replace it. Went with the Bosch front loader and won't ever go back, uses way less water and detergent, washes bigger loads and they come out a lot dryer, so dryer time is now equal to wash time about 40 min. on low heat, and you can add an item after it starts, just push the start/pause button and the door unlocks. The price has dropped a lot since they first came out, the Bosch was $798 at Lowes and they delivered for $30 and we got a $50 rebate.

 

[Bird]

I see in the news today that Maytag has issued a recall for 2.3 million dishwashers. I didn't know they'd even sold that many. It said they were sold from 1997 to 2001. So that was before the sale. If anyone didn't already know it, Whirlpool bought Maytag last year.

 

[dsb5610]

We've been looking at and reading about the front loaders for a while. Some people love them, some hate them. I think we are finally close to buying a new set. Our pick will be the Whirlpool Cabrio. It is a top loader with over 4 cu/ft capacity and high-speed spin.

dsb

 

[RickS]

We purchased a front loading Maytag Neptune from Lowes back in March, 2003. Almost four years and MANY loads of laundry later (we have three kids ages 8, 5, 4) it is still working perfectly. I'm pleased!

 

[TexasSD]

We have the Samsung Silvercare front load washer and dryer. We LOVE it! It uses silver to sanitize in cold water. The sanitize feature means the wash cycle is going to be about 2 hours, the regular cycle on this is about an hour. We usually just sanitize our bedding, especially after someone has been ill for a few days.

The interface is very easy to use - even my 12 year old does his own laundry now. Basically a point and click version of a washer/dryer. The silver bars are guaranteed for 15 years, and then samsung will replace them - I think for free!

 

[BillG_in_TX]

We've been looking at and reading about the front loaders for a while. Some people love them, some hate them. I think we are finally close to buying a new set. Our pick will be the Whirlpool Cabrio. It is a top loader with over 4 cu/ft capacity and high-speed spin.

dsb

We recently replaced our washer and were looking at the front loaders because our daughter has one and loves it. We had a Sears serviceman come out to look at our old one and agreed that we should replace it rather than repair it. The good news was that he gave us a coupon that was more than his service call. It had to be used at Sears, but that's where we were going anyway, so it was well worth the service call.

Anyway, he mentioned something about the front loaders that I had read on epinions. You are likely to be unhappy if you place the washer on the second floor, or on a pier & beam foundation. The high speed spin will sometimes set up a harmonic vibration that literally shakes the whole house. It's not a problem if it's on a slab or in a basement. Since we have a p&b foundation, we decided to go with a new high-efficiency top loader, like dsb. Works great.

 

[PBinWA]

Our three year old Kenmore front loader just sprung a leak. I haven't tried fixing it yet or getting it fixed. I just went on Craigslist and bought a $100 top loader. Both my wife and I think we like the top loader better even though it isn't as efficient.

I'll probably fix the front loader and put it back into service eventually but in general it's noisy and doesn't seem to clean clothes as well. Clothes do come out of the washer "dryer" and spend less time in the dryer which probably saves money.

 

[Steve_Miller]

LG, washer and dryer, one year old and the only problem (if you call it that) so far was an error code came up once that said in the book to call for service. I unplugged it for an hour then plugged it back in and it's been fine ever since. Should have bought these ten years ago, probably would have paid for itself in water hauling, I have a dug well and septic. No problems with septic so far, I keep that pumped every 5 to 10 years depending on how it looks. Yes, I dig it up every once and a while and have a look, better to be safe than sorry.

Steve

 

[JSUnlimited]

Milkman,

I'm supprised that you only got 12 years out your Maytag! My Grandparents had a Maytag set that lasted almost 20 years. The washer and dryer would have made it longer but lightning hit them both. So guess what they bought, another Maytag setup!

When my wife and I moved into our newly constructed home 4-5 years ago, we bought a matching set of Maytag "Neptune" front loader washer/dryer with all the bells and whistles. With my Fire Dept. schedule and two teenage kids, these **** things run constantly every day (or so it seems)!

No problems to report at all, other than I'm not allowed to use them!

 

[zeuspaul]

I got three years out of my Maytag Neptune and it broke. I called Maytag customer service and told them I bought Maytag because I had good luck with them in the past. They told me you can't expect that with the new machines!!!

I don't want to go into the details. Just do a web search for Maytag Neptune and wax motor or class action law suit.

After a lot of work dealing with Maytag customer service they finally fixed the problem the judge ordered them to do.

Three years later the washer is leaking water. No more fancy high cost washers for me and no more Maytags. My reasonably priced Whirlpool top loader in a second home works just fine. I'll be replacing my Neptune with a top loader.

A buddy at work had the same problem. After three fixes and a lot of dealing with customer service he told them to take it away. He replaced it with a commercial type top loader with minimal electronics...basic dials only. None of the fancy switches and circuit boards that short out. He is very happy with his VERY BASIC washer.