Rant: Modern household appliances are of poorer quality

[Oaktree]

Not to turn to politics, please don’t, but I saw talk of the government coming out with possible mandates for appliances, mainly to save on electricity and water, that won’t make them any better or cheaper.

I have a new "water saver" toilet which seems to work well. I've only been using it for about a year and a half yet have only plugged it once. It uses just 2 gallons/flush; which was kind of nice last week when my pipes froze and I was carrying water down from the spring.

I dunno. Some of the older energy saving appliances weren't very good, but they've improved over time. First water saver toilet I bought in the early 80s was terrible, half the time you needed to flush multiple times but the one I have now uses less water than that first one, and I haven't had any trouble with flushes.
Same can be said for washer & refrigerator. Someone upthread mentioned that modern washers with electronic controls where you couldn't repeat a cycle if necessary...not that I need to often, but yeah, that can be a drawback. Plus side is this new one uses less water (a good thing given I just have a shallow well & septic), but gets clothes just as clean as the old ones that used way more water, and didn't handle off-balance loads as well.

All in all, saving energy & water are a good thing. Too bad it took mandates to get manufacturers to do it.

 

[Jstpssng]

Some of the older energy saving appliances weren't very good, but they've improved over time.

That was my point in mentioning my toilet. It also has two buttons... 1 lets a gallon through, the other empties the tank.

Someone upthread mentioned that modern washers with electronic controls where you couldn't repeat a cycle if necessary...not that I need to often, but yeah, that can be a drawback. Plus side is this new one uses less water (

That was also me. I believe that my new washer uses about 50 gallons per wash... it's really bigger than what I need. The plus side is that I bought it as a new takeout in 2020, right at the start of the supply chain shortage. It was on Craigslist for several weeks for near new price (It had been run long enough to ensure that it worked. I bought it for $250.

 

[tradosaurus]

I have a new "water saver" toilet which seems to work well. I've only been using it for about a year and a half yet have only plugged it once. It uses just 2 gallons/flush; which was kind of nice last week when my pipes froze and I was carrying water down from the spring.

Go to 1-ply toilet paper and use a bidet that attaches to your toilet and you will most likely never have a clog or have to flush more than once.

 

[not2old]

I have a new "water saver" toilet which seems to work well. I've only been using it for about a year and a half yet have only plugged it once. It uses just 2 gallons/flush; which was kind of nice last week when my pipes froze and I was carrying water down from the spring.

My experience is that I usually have to flush those twice or more.

 

[Jstpssng]

My experience is that I usually have to flush those twice or more.

Go to 1-ply toilet paper and use a bidet that attaches to your toilet and you will most likely never have a clog or have to flush more than once.

I haven’t had any problems, except for the one time.

Well, except for the time last year when it froze because I hadn’t covered the line properly… I think we know who was at fault THAT time.

 

[JethroB]

We still have our Maytag wringer washer in the shop as a backup and it still runs like new.

My grandmother had one in the 60’s. My brother broke his arm in the wringer trying to quick dry some swim shorts. Ouch. I can still remember his screams.

 

[5030]

My grandmother had one in the 60’s. My brother broke his arm in the wringer trying to quick dry some swim shorts. Ouch. I can still remember his screams.

They certainly not OSHA approved but then OSHA wasn't around back then either. We have a pusher stick to get the wet clothes into the wringer but you still have to be careful.

No automatic cycles either. It will wash for hours if you want to. Same with rinse. Ours is electric but I'd give a wad for a gas powered one (like the Amish have).

Stone simple and rock reliable too.