Top loading vs side loading washers

[coobie]

My good friend is a appliance repair man and suggested we buy a speed queen top load washer as they were very dependable units according to his opinion.So far so good 5 years later.

 

[coobie]

If you are not too concerned about conserving water, Speed Queen top loaders still have an agitator and are tough as nails (and are still made in the USA, if that matters). Their residential washers are basically the same mechanically as their commercial ones you see in laundromats (without the coin box). They are the last of the old style Maytag and Kenmore washers like your parents had for 25 years without needing replacement or repairs.

DITTO +1

 

[TomSeller]

We have two LG side loaders. The 10 year direct drive motor warranty speaks volumes. We leave the door open at least for a day after washing to dry out the washer. Top loaders do not have the seal that traps moisture in, side loaders need to dry out so they do not collect mold.

 

[westcliffe01]

I have now owned 3 Bosch side loaders and 1 top loader (for a short time) and there is little to argue about the "natural" tumbling agitation of a horizontal drum. Unless of course you always overload it, in which case you might not be happy.

Side load machines cost more to produce than top loaders. It is simply more expensive to build them so that they hold water. Good side loaders also have heaters to maintain the water temperature for the entire wash cycle and if you run the sanitary cycle it is typically 2 hours and the water is hot. If you have not used a washer like this, you will be amazed what your whites look like compared to a top loader...

Most new machines should have load sensing and should adjust the amount of water accordingly. Certainly every Bosch I have owned had been that way for over 13 years now.

One thing to consider is that there is not much price differential between large and small models of the washers and often a small unit has to be special ordered since they are not that popular in the US. But if your builder specd the closer for a top loader than often only the smallest side loader will fit. Don't ask me how I know...

I have never had 1 bit of trouble with any of the Bosch units and I can assure you that millions or Europeans would not buy them if they stank.

PS: in my opinion, speed queen was made to be cheap to build and be as simple as possible to run to make coin laundromats lots of money and lets face it, they do not give a hoot how clean your clothes really are or if some of your wifes fancy stuff gets ripped to shreds by the agitator. I got rid of my top loader after it tore up some new towels that I washed the first time after buying them. Those agitators are very aggressive with your laundry.

 

[cqaigy2]

One question about top loaders VS front loaders .... how many times have you started a load of laundry, have the water in and its running and you find another piece of laundry that you'd like to throw in the load? Guess what? You can't do that on a front loader. On our top loader, we usually run it at the next to the fullest water setting. If we decide to add more laundry all we have to do is turn up the water setting to the fullest setting, toss in the extra laundry and close the lid and off you go. Just something to consider.

We can add clothes to our Front Side loading washer.

 

[dmccarty]

Why do you think that front-load washers often stink, but you don't hear much about dishwashers doing the same thing? My wife uses both so often that maybe that is why neither of our appliances have much odor.:confused3:

Our dishwashers have never stunk. I would think stinky dishwashers is from food particles in the machine. We are dump any scraps in the trash before loading the dishwasher which might be why we do not have a smelly system.

The stinky front loading washer is from water left behind in the washer. Our new washer also has a cycle that move air through the machine to help prevent stink but I we don't usually use it though I noticed it was running at 4:00am when I got up to put some wood in the stove.

Later,
Dan

 

[dmccarty]

We can add clothes to our Front Side loading washer.

I am pretty sure that our front loading washer can be interrupted to add clothes.

Later,
Dan

 

[MoKelly]

All right guys, this is a post on washing machines and there have been 46 replies. In a Tractor forum.

My wife says in our 25 years of marriage I haven't touched a washing machine 3 times. She says if all you other tractor guys know so much about washing machines --- I need to learn more as well.

You all are getting me into trouble.

MoKelly

 

[dakotagun]

we have a front-loading LG washer/dryer, and talked about the 'smell' issue lots before deciding on the pair. because of our rural/septic location, we chose High Efficiency model and have been very pleased with the unit. we follow the recommendations and have had no issues with odor. while the loads take longer (using less water), the result is good.

 

[MossRoad]

We can add clothes to our Front Side loading washer.

In the middle of a cycle?