How do y'all feel about Frigidaire vs. GE vs. Whirlpool

[gsganzer]

I'm not a big fan of the front load washers. We have one in the main house, and the wash cycle is crazy long and I don't think it really cleans that well. I think it's either a LG or Samsung. (Edit: Turns out it's a Whirlpool) I also get frequent faults and error codes on the washer. Especially for the drain function, requiring you to pull the basket strainer. Of course, you have to lie on the floor to pull a front panel off and the strainer basket is designed so you can't get a catch receptacle under it, resulting is stinky water spilling out as you open it. Now I have issues with the dryer and the heating element has quit working.

For our in-law apartment, we just have a cheap top load washer and a large dryer. They do a much better job in all respects and will be getting moved to the main house.

 

[ponytug]

I'm not a big fan of the front load washers. We have one in the main house, and the wash cycle is crazy long and I don't think it really cleans that well. I think it's either a LG or Samsung. I also get frequent faults and error codes on the washer. Especially for the drain function, requiring you to pull the basket strainer. Of course, you have to lie on the floor to pull a front panel off and the strainer basket is designed so you can't get a catch receptacle under it, resulting is stinky water spilling out as you open it. Now I have issues with the dryer and the heating element has quit working.

For our in-law apartment, we just have a cheap top load washer and a large dryer. They do a much better job in all respects and will be getting moved to the main house.

Funny how different things are sometimes. We have an LG, which does a great job. I've pulled the strainer a number of times and almost never ind much of anything in it. It drains pretty readily into a pie pan.

All the best, Peter

 

[ultrarunner]

I have a front loader in Austria with a low mounted strainer.

One feature is being able to drain all the water before winter storage when the cabin is locked up tight.

 

[Jstpssng]

I like front load washers because I wear a lot of wool clothes in the winter. Not having an agitator is a lot easier on those.
My mother recently bought a Whirlpool top loader with a removable agitator... that's what I will be getting. They have two sizes. The review I read said one drawback of the smaller size is that it isn't wifi enabled.

I will be getting the smaller size.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I'm not a big fan of the front load washers. We have one in the main house, and the wash cycle is crazy long and I don't think it really cleans that well. I think it's either a LG or Samsung. (Edit: Turns out it's a Whirlpool) I also get frequent faults and error codes on the washer. Especially for the drain function, requiring you to pull the basket strainer. Of course, you have to lie on the floor to pull a front panel off and the strainer basket is designed so you can't get a catch receptacle under it, resulting is stinky water spilling out as you open it. Now I have issues with the dryer and the heating element has quit working.

For our in-law apartment, we just have a cheap top load washer and a large dryer. They do a much better job in all respects and will be getting moved to the main house.

We have similar problems with our GE set. Wife HATES the GE washer feature requiring one to lay on the floor to clean the filter. Who ever designed that needs to have to do it only once.
Now our GE dryer simply quit. Won't turn on. Service tech came yesterday to fix it. He had no idea of what was wrong so it pulled the 3 main computer boards out and has taken them back for (eventually) replacement. So now, our current dryer is an old fashion rope clothes line. Those never fail.
The really sad part is that we had to buy this high dollar ($3K) set during the Covid era 2 years ago. They're problably worth $300 now, or eve less with the dryer broke down.
Bottom line, I don't think it really matters what name is on your set. We've had an array of problems with Whirlpool, LG, you-name-it. It pot luck to get one that doesn't break down when you need it most.

 

[jyoutz]

We have similar problems with our GE set. Wife HATES the GE washer feature requiring one to lay on the floor to clean the filter. Who ever designed that needs to have to do it only once.
Now our GE dryer simply quit. Won't turn on. Service tech came yesterday to fix it. He had no idea of what was wrong so it pulled the 3 main computer boards out and has taken them back for (eventually) replacement. So now, our current dryer is an old fashion rope clothes line. Those never fail.
The really sad part is that we had to buy this high dollar ($3K) set during the Covid era 2 years ago. They're problably worth $300 now, or eve less with the dryer broke down.
Bottom line, I don't think it really matters what name is on your set. We've had an array of problems with Whirlpool, LG, you-name-it. It pot luck to get one that doesn't break down when you need it most.

We had similar experiences with many of those brands. That’s why a bought a set of Speed Queen commercial units 10 years ago. No issues since.

 

[newbury]

It seems like your basic refrigerators last longer. The big side by sides are what I always hear about failures. I don't use much ice, a couple of trays is all that I need. If I needed more I'd consider a countertop version rather than in the fridge.

When we bought our Mississippi residence in 2010 we had planned to move our spanking new frig from Virginia down SOON. So I went out and bought the least expensive most stripped down one (with an icemaker) I could find at Best Buy. It was about $300. The icemaker is NOT in the door, it's internal to the freezer portion. I was looking forward to a frig in my shop. Ain't happened. It's been running 24/7 since.
When ever she saw it my MIL would complain about the ice being internal, instead of in the door.

@HawkinsHollow I don't know what your electricity costs are, <snip>

In Mississippi electricity and water are relatively cheap.

I do believe the quest for efficiency and hitting the numbers has affected reliability and performance not energy related.

Over the long run bugs tend to get worked out but it sucks for those with lemons and little recourse along the way.

How else can it be explained the longevity of older less efficient appliances?

Because they used to build them to LAST. Sales were great after WWII because of the vast # of new households.
Then the pencil pushers figured out if they LAST they don't sell replacements.
I've a circa 1965 freezer my dad bought on a meat plan. Still ran last time I plugged it in.
Now they want us to think we need wifi and "smart refrigerators".
Now if they perfect teleportation and can stock my frig remotely I might buy in.

 

[ponytug]

I'm not wild about WiFi appliances. There are just too many ways that can, and will, go sideways.

The old mechanical items are great for repair, if you can still get, or make, parts. Repairing electronics is hit or miss; some are easy, and some are not a chance, because someone used an obscure part that dropped off the grey market a year before the item was sold. That said, I do enjoy repairing items to like new condition.

All the best,

Peter

 

[sd455dan]

Consider yourself lucky with the GE fridge & icemaker. Our new GE fridge icemaker (2 years old now) has had 6 serice calls. The last call they finally replaced the entire icemaker. Ah! Great news eh? Nope - the new one hangs up with ice in the dispenser door about once/week.
I'm not agreable to simply living with that problem, but will until I know of a better refrigerator out there.

Our 16 year old Whirlpool side by side Ice maker quit. Did some testing, and then found the new replacements were pretty cheap at around $60 so ordered one put it in and the clock motor stopped after one cycle.

Ended up taking parts from the old Ice maker and new and combining them to get it to work but over a year now with no problems. I will probably stick with whirlpool again if something needs replaced, moms 1971? Maytag washer and dryer are still going strong with just a belt and heater replacement. They really don't build washer and dryers like that anymore.

 

[jyoutz]

Our 16 year old Whirlpool side by side Ice maker quit. Did some testing, and then found the new replacements were pretty cheap at around $60 so ordered one put it in and the clock motor stopped after one cycle.

Ended up taking parts from the old Ice maker and new and combining them to get it to work but over a year now with no problems. I will probably stick with whirlpool again if something needs replaced, moms 1971? Maytag washer and dryer are still going strong with just a belt and heater replacement. They really don't build washer and dryers like that anymore.

I had one of those old Maytags that never quit. I finally had to get rid of it when I couldn’t find a control panel knob to repair it.