Washing machine rant

Kevin G · #1 11-27-2019, 10:10 AM

Recently got a new LG front loading washing machine with optional pedestal/drawer base. Damn thing cost nearly as much as my first car. It can somehow be tied in to Wi-Fi, for what I don’t know. Don’t plan on googling anything with it.
We live in an area where water is in abundance, would have much preferred a simple top loading machine with a few simple functions. I was overruled. With this one when the wash is finished it plays music that sounds something like The French national anthem.
Has developed a leak, the wife was on the phone for over an hour trying to get warranty repair scheduled. Had an extended conversation with someone in the Philippines.
Does anyone have positive experience with a simple basic washing machine?
Thanks, Kevin

arjay · #2 11-27-2019, 10:35 AM

Found a heavy duty top loader last year,lots of electronics which I’m assuming is the weak link,but for now it works great. The machine it replaced was 35 years old! Couldn’t get parts for it anymore lol

vonn · #3 11-27-2019, 10:36 AM

Another case of government telling us what we need, or are allowed to buy. I am not sure if an old school washer is even made anymore.

6518John · #4 11-27-2019, 10:43 AM

Kevin—This should make you feel better:

Engineer1911 · #5 11-27-2019, 11:11 AM

We bought Maytag front loader washer and dryer at Lowe's Thanksgiving sale 7 years ago. We got washer and dryer for $100 more than just the washer. I built the base unit as 1 piece with a big storage drawer. Doors are at waist level for my wife and she is happy.

Washer / dryer have simple selector rotary switches. Today's machines look like the Space Shuttle.

TIMETRIPPER · #6 11-27-2019, 11:29 AM

Bought a Samsung front loading washer a couple years ago and it started to leak soon after the warranty ran out. Then, this past summer, it wouldn't drain at the end of the rinse cycle. Was about ready to pitch it and get a new one. Found a comment on the internet about unplugging the unit for 10 minutes or more to reset the internal computer and tried it. It's been working fine since.
Our first washer was a new Whirlpool, given as a wedding present, nearly 40 years ago. It lasted over 25 years. The only repair was for a new pump which was a DYI job and that cost only about $25.

John

THE PILGRIM · #7 11-27-2019, 11:34 AM

When my 25 year old (I think) Maytag went out,
I went down to Lowe’s and bought a top load Whirlpool.
That was a few years ago, Really hadn’t thought too much about since.

DWalt · #8 11-27-2019, 11:41 AM

Wouldn't buy a front loader, heard too many bad things about them. We had a top loader (Sears) that lasted from 1989 to 2016 before it quit, and an electric dryer (also Sears) from 1969 until it went out about three months ago. That may be a world record. I think Whirlpool made Sears appliances back then.

Drm50 · #9 11-27-2019, 12:16 PM

Even the top loaders are screwed up with computers now. You just don't turn them on, you activate them. Then computer takes over. The lid is locked while agitating. Women constantly complaining about them.

smoothshooter · #10 11-27-2019, 12:30 PM

Get a Roper top loader.

Simple, good track record.
Whatever you get, if you get a washing machine that does not have the agitator in the middle you will never change back to one that has the agitator.

Complexity in appliances is just asking for trouble, even with microwaves.

Refrigerators are the worst. Do not hook up the ice maker. Expensive catastrophe waiting to happen.
Many people I know have had the water line or fitting leak and ruin or damage the floor in one or more rooms.
You can buy a lot of bagged ice or plastic ice trays for what repairs will cost you when the leak happens.

Rpg · #11 11-27-2019, 12:31 PM

I bought a rebuilt top loading Whirlpool in 1993. It’s still going strong.

It doesn’t play music or surf the Internet. It doesn’t have special, cute settings for washing left socks either.

It just works.

GaryS · #12 11-27-2019, 12:37 PM

We bought our last one from Sears in 2012. It's a Kenmore and it's been trouble free.

I have a friend who is a retired appliance repair man. He still does repairs to supplement his retirement. He has nothing good to say about LG appliances. They use proprietary parts which are hard to get.

He also says that they have too much technology that is very prone to breakdown.

He refuses to work on them.

It's a washing machine, how complicated does it have to be?

gman51 · #13 11-27-2019, 12:45 PM

The new thing is smart appliances of all kinds. I guess they figure we aren't smart enough to press or turn a button like we did for the last 50 years.

When I needed a new washer, the 30 year old Whirlpool finally drowned I guess, I checked into front loaders. First of all they are super expensive and why the base doesn't come with the dang thing I guess is just a ripoff. Second they are known for developing stinky black mold around the door seal. I decided it wasn't for me.
I bought a Whirlpool from Lowe's but the hot water valve didn't open so I took it back to lowe's for a refund. I went to a local appliance store and bought a Hot Point top loader. That was 8 years ago. It is still working like new.
I bought an almost new Haier dryer from a guy at work and I think it is garbage compared to the 30 year old Whirlpool I had before. The Haier had broke down twice in a couple years. I still have it but I wish I had my Whirlpool back.
A friend works a phone line for GE appliances repair and she said she will never own a GE appliance. She told me that supposedly GE expects around 20,000 calls a day for warranty repairs on their new appliances.

Jeff423 · #14 11-27-2019, 12:49 PM

When my 35 yr. old Maytag top loader died I got another from Craigslist for $100. Works great, most parts are still available. I would have fixed the first one but it was a transmission problem which was more than I wanted to handle.
My original dryer died and I did the same thing. Neither my wife nor I care about "new" or "shiny" as long as the clothes are clean and dry.
Two of her sisters have front loaders which they both hate. One LG and one Samsung.
The design of front loaders allows them to be efficient with water and detergent because they have better mechanical action and since they spin faster drying time is reduced. However the quality of the consumer models is not great yet. If someone made me buy a front loader I would get a Wascomat.

FWIW: I have been around the industrial laundry industry for 40 yrs. and all of their washers are versions of what we would call front loaders.

H Richard · #15 11-27-2019, 01:01 PM

About 10 years ago we bought a Speed Queen, top load. Water temp settings, load size setting, and regular/permanent press/timed settings. That's all we need and it runs great. Made in America. It's a commercial grade machine so I don't expect to need another machine in my lifetime.

CAJUNLAWYER · #16 11-27-2019, 01:32 PM

SpeedQueen. Get the ones with the knobs and not the electronic touch buttons. Expensive but worth it and should last for years. They still use metal gears and are NOT the dreaded "water saving" ones that don't get your clothes clean

Sikiguya · #17 11-27-2019, 01:40 PM

We had a front load with the last house and it always smelled. We got the top loaders and they have been great. If I have to buy again, I’d buy the commercial ones and skip the fancy looking models.

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walkinghorse · #18 11-27-2019, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H Richard

About 10 years ago we bought a Speed Queen, top load. Water temp settings, load size setting, and regular/permanent press/timed settings. That's all we need and it runs great. Made in America. It's a commercial grade machine so I don't expect to need another machine in my lifetime.

^^^^^^^^^^^^
I read similar stories as the OP stated on another site. The recommendation there was to buy a commercial machine, which seems to be built to withstand simple gorillas.
I can imagine the abuse received in a laundromat.

loknload · #19 11-27-2019, 01:54 PM

Bought a commercial grade Maytag at Lowe’s several years ago along with the matching dryer. The washer is top load and it works great,,,so far no issues.
I’ve always liked Maytag...

washerman · #20 11-27-2019, 02:00 PM

My moniker is "Washerman". I own 2 laundromats. Goin on 35 years for one and 25 years for the other. You are right about the abuse! I could write a book

Burley · #21 11-27-2019, 02:33 PM

Kenmore washer died the other day.

Looked it over and decided it needed a $37 part. Mrs. said no. She wants new stuff. Washer AND drier.

Small issue, the valves leaked a little, so I thought I'd replaced them. HAha, leak, fire, flood, replace dry wall and we're ready for our 2 grand laundry station delivery.

DWalt · #22 11-27-2019, 02:53 PM

The 50-YO Sears electric drier I mentioned earlier has always been a gem. First, it was very simple, the only control you can set is the timer. No sensors and nothing electronic to go out. The door is hinged on the bottom, which my wife always preferred when unloading. You never see a bottom hinge door on a dryer today, only side hinges. And it is extremely simple to get inside to replace anything that needs to be replaced, such as the belt which turns the drum. Over all those years, I have probably needed to disassemble it around a half-dozen times to replace something or other. About 10 years ago the temperature sensor switch quit. I had a devil of a time finding a replacement for it, and no one (including Sears) had them, or anything close enough to be a replacement. I finally found a correct new thermal switch on eBay. It was more expensive than I expected (around $20 as I remember) but a whole lot cheaper than buying a new dryer. When we sold that dryer recently (that's another story), it was still operating.

LVSteve · #23 11-27-2019, 03:26 PM

We have a top loader LG washer and dryer set. It does look like the bridge of the Enterprise in the laundry room when both are running.

Wife won't have a front loader. The family she used to house manage for had one for a while and stuff never got clean. Seems the reduced amount of water is incompatible with the hard water in Vegas. No kidding. Your first water bill here comes with an honorary mining license.

Narragansett · #24 11-27-2019, 03:37 PM

Top load, basic functions only, less to go wrong with it. Buy from a company that provides service, and you will not need to practice a foreign language. Same with power tools and lawn mowers. Forget box stores where possible

Salty RI · #25 11-27-2019, 03:40 PM

When we sold our house ten years ago and bought a condo we had to get a front loader because we had to stack them, we bought Kenmore and havent had any trouble, but my wife complaines that the front loader doesnt clean as well as the top loader, our first washer was a wringer and our drier was a line in the back yard.

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Golddollar · #26 11-27-2019, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vonn

Another case of government telling us what we need, or are allowed to buy. I am not sure if an old school washer is even made anymore.

Maybe go down to Tractor Supply and get a tub and washboard.

Drm50 · #27 11-27-2019, 08:09 PM

I bought the Sears Kenmore, no frills heavy duty washer and dryer in 1976. I have put heat elements and belts in both of them. 3 kids out the door and set is still running.

RobertJ. · #28 11-27-2019, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6518John

Kevin—This should make you feel better

If you hadn't posted it, I would have!

TX-Dennis · #29 11-27-2019, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gman51

The new thing is smart appliances of all kinds. I guess they figure we aren't smart enough to press or turn a button like we did for the last 50 years.

When I needed a new washer, the 30 year old Whirlpool finally drowned I guess, I checked into front loaders. First of all they are super expensive and why the base doesn't come with the dang thing I guess is just a ripoff. Second they are known for developing stinky black mold around the door seal. I decided it wasn't for me.
I bought a Whirlpool from Lowe's but the hot water valve didn't open so I took it back to lowe's for a refund. I went to a local appliance store and bought a Hot Point top loader. That was 8 years ago. It is still working like new.
I bought an almost new Haier dryer from a guy at work and I think it is garbage compared to the 30 year old Whirlpool I had before. The Haier had broke down twice in a couple years. I still have it but I wish I had my Whirlpool back.
A friend works a phone line for GE appliances repair and she said she will never own a GE appliance. She told me that supposedly GE expects around 20,000 calls a day for warranty repairs on their new appliances.

Strangely enough, in the US Hotpoint is built by GE Appliance.

snubbyfan · #30 11-27-2019, 08:42 PM

A few years ago when our old washer started dancing across the floor and watering it, we went to Lowes and got this thing.

It's a basic Maytag toploader. It's not internet compatible but when you put dirty clothes in and push the start button they come out reasonably clean. It sounds kinda sick and pathetic when it's running, my wife says it sounds like it's gonna vomit like it's got the washing machine flu, but it works.
Me and the Maytag repair man are still strangers.

goatsnguns · #31 11-27-2019, 09:02 PM

I'm with H. Richard....4 year old LG front load gave up the ghost, had it repaired under extended warranty, put it in a box in the garage. Got a Speed Queen, built like a brick outhouse, works great. Just recently had to replace the heating element and sensor in the LG dryer, did it myself.

Rustyt1953 · #32 11-27-2019, 09:38 PM

We have a 4 year old Whirlpool Cabrio top loader. With three schoolkids under roof it runs almost non-stop.

No complaints.

sar4937 · #33 11-27-2019, 10:52 PM

Speed Queen, I have both the electronic and manual models. I bought a GE (Haier), and 3 weeks in the pump locked. The repair guy says my clothes were too dirty. It locked the lid when spinning, so if it went out of balance, you had to let it spin out of balance. Get a Speed Queen!

JohnRippert · #34 11-27-2019, 11:23 PM

Kenmore gas dryer that I have replaced the fusible link and drive belt on, and a Maytag top load washer that has never needed any attention. Both bought used about 30 years ago. Would not be surprised if they outlast me. Both repairs on the dryer I found how to fix on Youtube while Mom was saying we probably would need a new one. I too like this dryer for its bottom hinge door.

drgbike · #35 11-28-2019, 12:13 AM

This is what I do, own a appliance repair business. No LG, no Samsung,Korean. No GE, China owned Korean built. Difficult parts availability and no factory support for servicer. Frigidare and Electrolux same company. Whirlpool owns these names, Maytag,Kitchenaid,Roper,Estate,JenAir,Amana many more. Speed Queen its own. Kenmore was, is, Sears name for Every thing but they built nothing. First 3 numbers of Kenmore model is the company that built it Look on google. Next time ask me.

muddocktor · #36 11-28-2019, 12:40 AM

We bought a Maytag top loader much like snubbyfan's 3-4 years or so ago, because it has an agitator and has settings to add extra water for washing and rinsing. No complaints about it since we got it. The one it replaced was a Whirlpool that we had for around 15 years until the tranny took a dump.

carpriver · #37 11-28-2019, 02:00 AM

My mother used a whirlpool wringer washer until she could no longed take care of herself and dad about 2010. Dad did repair it a couple of times. My mom said it cleans better. She had double sinks in the washer room to hold the wash water and the rinse water. I learned to use it and learned real quick to be careful keeping my fingers back from the wringer.

bigwheelzip · #38 11-28-2019, 04:51 AM

Three of my kids have been getting fancy new top-loaders on a regular basis. They either break or don't clean clothes well.

We are happy using a Frigidare front load for about 16 years now. I prefer front load because I feel it is gentler on the clothes than a topload w/agitator and gets them cleaner than a topload wo/agitator. The new Frigidare front loads I've seen in stores are way more high tech than what we are using, and probably not as good.

Front load needs to have the door left open when not in use and the seal wiped clean. Also the detergent drawer removed and cleaned.

When we lived in Switzerland long ago, our Miele front load was excellent.

Wish I could be more help with current manufactured models but I wish you good luck.

s&wchad · #39 11-28-2019, 07:27 AM

I posted this a few years ago in a similar thread. Our Whirlpool Cabrio is still with us, but I still regret not fixing our old machine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by s&wchad

We bought a Whirlpool Super heavy duty large capacity washer and dryer in '93 when we were married. The dryer is still going strong and has only needed a couple thermal fuses.

The control panel (rheostat dials) on the washing machine went bad about three years ago and the Mrs. decided we needed a new high tech top loading, water efficient machine. I could have fixed the old machine for under $200, but she does the laundry and I'm smart enough not to argue with her!

The new machine, a Whirlpool Cabrio Platinum cost close to a grand with an optional extended warranty. When they hauled away the old machine, the delivery man told us not to expect 23 years out of the new one. He was right! The three year old Whirlpool washer needed service earlier this year because of a bad pump. The tech was here three times before it was fixed and we were visiting the laundromat for a month. The tech mentioned that the pressed-on drum bearings go bad fairly often on these new machines, which is a $400-$500 repair. We've since extended our five year warranty for an additional three years. My wife loves the machine and it does a good job on clothes, but I have no faith in its longevity. The electronics are a nightmare and there's virtually nothing about it that's user serviceable.

If I have my way, our next machine will be a small commercial washer like they have in laundromats. I'm in "The Great Lakes State" and could care less about low water usage!

MORSNO · #40 11-28-2019, 11:41 AM

5 years ago we made the move to Speed Queen washer and dryer. It was the best move ever!!! All metal transmission, stainless steel drum and inner liner (most inner liners a thin plastic), no dealing with special fresh cleaners or whatever those cheap washers require, and they just plain work great!

tlawler · #41 11-28-2019, 12:26 PM

The ONLY advantage I can see to having a front loader is being able to stack them and save floor space. Ten years ago my bride decided we needed to get rid of our completely functional super duty Kenmore top loader washer and dryer set and go with something “more modern”. We got a matched LG set that has been anything but reliable. Had them for 10 years now and replaced the water pump, door switch, water level control, door gasket and controller on the washer and heating element, door switch, thermostat, high limit safety, belt, and set of drum rollers on the drier. Of course, no two of the aforementioned parts died at the same time and none in warranty. Thank goodness for fast delivery of cheap parts from amazon and how-to videos on the yootoob. I have unstacked/restacked and taken those stupid “modern” machines apart and put them back together so many times I’ve lost count. I will NEVER buy a front loader again!

drgbike · #42 11-28-2019, 08:55 PM

Last Maytag wringer was 1984. Speed Queen lasted a couple more. Govt and lawyers made them so safe they wouldnt wring out a kleenex.

Salty RI · #43 11-28-2019, 11:20 PM

The wringer washer we had was a Easy that was back in 64 it was on wheels, you would roll it over to the sink, we had a pulley that ran from the kitchen window to a pole in the backyard for a clothesline.

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Wise_A · #44 11-28-2019, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin G

It can somehow be tied in to Wi-Fi, for what I don’t know. Don’t plan on googling anything with it.

Say you want to run your washing machine upstairs, but you're gonna be downstairs all day and don't want the clothes sitting in the machine getting mildew.

Load up the clothes, detergent, liquid fabric softener, whathaveyou, and go downstairs. Do your stuff. When you're ready to run the machine, whip out your smartphone and start 'er up without having to drag your withered husk all the way back up.

Probably also lets you adjust some wash settings on the fly, check time remaining, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlawler

The ONLY advantage I can see to having a front loader is being able to stack them and save floor space.

Try leaning over a top-loader to retrieve some heavy, damp laundry, with a bad back. Oh, and it doesn't have an agitator to beat the hell out of your clothes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by s&wchad

she does the laundry and I'm smart enough not to argue with her!

See guys, this is what a smart man says.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sikiguya

We had a front load with the last house and it always smelled.

Bet you left the front door closed when you weren't using it.

yaktamer · #45 11-29-2019, 12:42 AM

Low-tech solution:
https://www.wayfair.com/appliances/p...?piid=37287926

SC_Mike · #46 11-29-2019, 09:04 AM

I say, have fun with it.

I do prefer the older washers and equipment in general. I replaced the water inlet control valve in our washer last month and it was fairly easy. I'd say it's about 15 years old. I've a John Deere tractor built in 2015 that has an interesting mixture of metric and SAE bolts and nuts. Makes working on it twice the fun. Even the same engine fan guard has two different sizes and a mix of metric and SAE.

However I do think the person who made the top of the washer and dryer a work surface it a genius.

Kevin G · #47 11-29-2019, 01:32 PM

Back in the mid – late 70s I got an assignment on a world war two vintage freighter. We had an old style Maytag wringer washer. It was a warm weather run so washer was lashed to the rail and drained right into the scupper. Filled the tub with a hose, only control for the washer was a timer. Wringer rollers were motorized and would stop if something too thick like a hand went in. We tried it out.
I can say it was a great rig for breaking in new jeans, just keep resetting the timer and agitate the stiffness out of them. Another great way to break in jeans was to tow them off of the stern for a watch or two, but that’s another story.
Kevin

LVSteve · #48 11-29-2019, 04:41 PM

Just for info, MANY top loaders no longer have the big pillar agitator to tear up your clothes.

islamoradamark · #49 11-29-2019, 05:44 PM

I must have been living on stilts too long I never heard of a Speed Queen now I got to look it up

Justin T · #50 11-30-2019, 03:50 AM

I have 4 kids in my house, and we completely destroyed a cabrio-platform washer in about 5 years. The last year of it had me pulling the thing apart every few months to replace a particular part on the driveshaft, among other repairs. Finally the motor gave up the ghost and I scrapped it. What did we do?

Replace it with another cabrio-platform (not my choice). I’m already laying in spare parts for it.