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Matilda
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My 10 year old front loader just died last night. It was a Kenmore and not top of the line but did a good job. For those of you with front loaders, which brands and models do you like?
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Charlotte (Matilda)
Mom to four (11 , 10 , 9 & 5 ) an even split for now
with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
Waltzing Matilda
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Elizabeth
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We have a Kenmore front loader that's seven years old. The repairman comes out a couple of times a year but I don't think that's a reflection of the machine. It's just that we use it HARD. He's an independent repairman (not the Sears guy) and he's says that the Kenmore is what he owns. Seems like the highest praise possible to me..
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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stefoodie
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Ours is a Siemens ~2 years old. This was the equivalent (same maker, diff. brand name) as the Bosch Nexxt which was $100 more.
Picked that over a Fisher Paykel front loader and a Speed Queen top loader (which is all metal -- the only reason we didn't buy the Speed Queen was we would have had to wait at least a week to get it and I already had a mountain of laundry waiting).
When we need stuff like this I research all over the place then bring the top 3 choices to hubby who's a Mechanical Engr. Speed Queen came out on top because of the engineering -- they specialize in commercial laundry equipment.
The FP lost because of the flimsy-looking plastic parts up front. But the reviews (at the time) were mostly positive.
Here's the latest review of reviews from Consumer Search.
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stef
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Nina
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We have an LG front loader.I am very happy with it.Matilda,are you looking to buy a top or front loader?
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Matilda
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We are looking at the front loaders because that is what we had before and also because of the federal standards that were enacted in January of 2007. The government required all washers to use 20% less water. The top loading technology doesn't clean as well with that decreased water requirement and unless they can change the design, top loaders might be on their way out of existence. I did see one top loader today that supposedly meets the standards and uses a different technology but the way the salesman was explaining it, I still don't see how the clothes get washed as well as in a front loader.
Right now, Husband is leaning towards the Maytag EpicZ. Maytag just finished up with a serious lawsuit a few years ago over the Neptunes and they apparently put a lot of time and effort into redesigning the Epic series to try and reclaim their good name. Plus, they were bought by Whirlpool (who manufactures primarily in the US) and use the same components as the Whirlpools that are consistently topping consumer ratings lists.
I seriously had not planned on tackling this issue for another year or two and with two birthdays, a mom coming to visit, and a book club to facilitate, a house to clean and now... laundry piling up by the minute, all in the next 4 days, I think I'm going to let him decide and surprise me! 
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Charlotte (Matilda)
Mom to four (11, 10, 9 & 5) an even split for now
with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
Waltzing Matilda
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Elizabeth
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You need to edit your question ;-)
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Matilda
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UGH!!! I have been so turned around today. I had a To-do list a mile long and had to drop everything to go shopping for washers. The salesman must have thought I was a babbling idiot. Thankfully, my friends understand! Thanks friends!
(original question edited for stupidity!) 
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Charlotte (Matilda)
Mom to four (11, 10, 9 & 5) an even split for now
with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
Waltzing Matilda
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jdostalik
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I dream of a beautiful, shiny front-loading washer! Ours is a top loader, Kenmore, that we have had for over 15 years old AND we bought it used...All my friends have been through two washers and my old Bessie keeps on chugging (and I mean chugging--she's very noisy!)... Best of Luck with all the festivities and finding the new washer, Matilda!! 
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Philothea
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All (and I do mean ALL) of our appliances are Kenmore or Kenmore Elite -- even our vacuum and BBQ grill are by Kenmore. We didn't set out to be die-hard brand loyalists, but quality is quality, and value is value. I drool over the fancy brands from time to time (love those candy colored LG washers!), but fear of the unknown keeps me from "trading up." We've been very happy with our Kenmore products, and Sears's service (rarely needed!) is great, especially for this day and age.
I really don't think you can go wrong with Kenmore. I know they're not as sexy as some of the other options, but they are tried and true.
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Angie Mc
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We have a 4yo Frigidaire and haven't had a single problem with it.
I bet I shouldn't have said that, lol.
Love,
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Mackfam
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I've had a Whirlpool Duet front loader for 2 years now. I love it!
Just wanted to mention something we found while shopping a couple of years ago...Kenmore, Amana, Maytag, KitchenAid and Whirlpool are all made by the same company now - Whirlpool. So...you may think you're paying for a good name with a solid reputation behind it, but in essence all of them have a Whirlpool under the hood.
Also, Consumer Reports online is pretty helpful when you're making a big purchase like this. I think you pay the 3 or 4 dollar monthly fee and then you have access to all of their reviews. You can just go cancel after using it for the month and gathering the information you need.
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Jen Mackintosh
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Philothea
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Mackfam, that's helpful info. What I really want to buy when we move is a Whirlpool Duet Sport, but we're such Kenmore people I was hesitant. Now I feel much better about it, since it IS a "Kenmore!"
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Matilda
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Sorry to dredge this up again, but I have another question. We went with the Maytag Epicz because we thought the Maytag name (now owned by Whirlpool) would be most interested in reclaiming their good name with a quality product now that the big Neptune fiasco was over. Well, the machine has been working fine except for the fact that it makes a squeaking noise. Not just a little squeaking noise! This sounds like granny's racing her porch rocker in my laundry room. Closing the door doesn't even hide it! The manager of the Lowe's we bought from says they will replace it with another one or we can pick out something different and just pay the difference if there is any. Husband thinks maybe we should try a Bosch Nexxt because they have gotten really great reviews. I was thinking of going with the Duet even though it is made by the same company as the Maytag.
What would you do?
What woul
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Charlotte (Matilda)
Mom to four (11, 10, 9 & 5) an even split for now
with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
Waltzing Matilda
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Mackfam
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Wow, Matilda. That's awful, and so disheartening when you spend so much $$$ on an appliance. It could just be a fluke - you know, you got the one machine with a problem, but most of their machines run pretty good. Still upsetting though!
Well, I'd certainly exchange/return. I don't know about the Bosch, but I do have a Duet. We've had ours for a couple of years now and I love it. If you have any specific questions about it, ask away and I can try to offer my opinions on the machine.
Good luck with the exchange. Sorry you have to go through this - it always seems to be something, doesn't it?
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Jen Mackintosh
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Matilda
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I didn't mean to sound whiny. It really isn't that big of a deal. It's not like I have no working washer to use right now, but I hate having to make decisions about major appliances like this. That is more of a burden right now. Should we just get another Maytag? My husband works in computers so I am totally understanding of the fact that occasionally you are going to get a machine that is out-of-box broken. That happens! But now, I am doubting our decision to go with the Maytag and wondering if we should choose another brand (since that is being offered to us as an option) and if so, which one?
Thanks for the advice about the Duet!
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Charlotte (Matilda)
Mom to four (11, 10, 9 & 5) an even split for now
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Waltzing Matilda
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Laundry: Front Loader Recommendations
