| Author | |
Lisa R
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 29 2005
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 789
|
| Posted: Nov 30 2006 at 6:17pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
We're in the middle of selling our house (I know, who in the world sells a house at Christmas---long story  )and are in the market for a front-loading washer/dryer. What brand is good?
Thanks!
__________________
God Bless!
Lisa, married to my best friend, Ray and loving my blessings Joshua (17)and Jacob(15), Hannah(7) and Rachel (5)!Holy Family Academy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Carole N.
Forum All-Star
Joined: Oct 28 2006
Location: Wales
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4484
|
| Posted: Nov 30 2006 at 6:51pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We purchased a Sears Kenmore front-load washer/dryer set. I bought the washer two summers ago and the dryer last year (on sale on Black Friday). I love both.  We did a little bit of research on the washer because I had read negative information about Maytag and Whirlpool.
But I am quite satisfied with my Sears. I know that it is the only washer/dryer that I will ever have to purchase and that makes me happy.
My dear friend purchased a Bosch. She loves hers as well.
__________________
Carole ... in Wales
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stefoodie
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 17 2005
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8457
|
| Posted: Nov 30 2006 at 7:42pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Ours is a Siemens which is exactly the same thing (same manufacturer, different brand) as the Bosch Nexxt, for about $100 less. I did most of my research at the Appliance forum at Gardenweb. Lots of people there who can answer specific questions. Warning though, some people there are REALLY obsessed with their laundry, down to cost per load, what kind of detergent with what machine, how many RPMs, etc.
The only other brand we considered was a top-loader that supposedly works better than a lot of front-loaders these days -- the Speed Queen. We drove an hour to the only store near us that carried it because we wanted to see it in person before ordering (my hubby the engineer was VERY impressed -- no plastic parts in that machine! -- but we had several problems ordering it from 2 different sources -- so we ended up with the Siemens.
The third brand we considered was Fisher Paykel but there were a few parts that looked flimsy.
Heard lots of bad things about GE and others, so didn't consider those, though they ARE pretty.
__________________
stef
mom to five
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stacykay
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 08 2006
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1858
|
| Posted: Dec 01 2006 at 7:04am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Do not buy a whirlpool duet! Ours is four years old, cost nearly $1000, and is on the fritz (and of course, the warranty is long expired.)
In my research on our washer, I have found multiple complaints regarding the computer which controls the cycles. It seems to be a common (and very $$$$$$$) problem. And usually crops up after a year or more.
There is also a problem with mold with many of these machines. We have followed all the manufacturer recommendations from day one, and we now have this problem also.
My biggest gripe is that it has started stopping mid-way through a cycle, for any number of reasons, according to the flashing display window. This means that either my clothes that I put in an hour ago, now need almost another hour to wash (our washer is in the basement, and I never hear the beeping,) or I have to completely rewash the whole load, because it smells. 
Unfortunately, we are not in a position to buy a new washer. 
If you do any checking for reviews on potential washer/dryers, I highly recommend looking for the ones who have owned said brand for a while. A lot of the reviews for my washer rate it as excellent, but many have only owned it for a few months.
I would probably buy one, too, that has been around a while. Aside from here, maybe check with a few w/d repair people that you can trust?
One appliance repair person I was talking to a few months back, re. ranges (we may need one of those, soon, too!) said that most "lower end," not including imports, aren't built to last very long. Also, as apparantly many people eat out most of the time, the predicted "life" of an appliance isn't quite accurate for those who usually cook everyday (and she was just referring to dinners!)
She said most "domestic" appliances get their parts from the same suppliers, so she doesn't see too much difference in brands.
I highly recommend checking consumer reports and talk to as many people you can about what their experiences are with whichever brand you are considering.
Sorry to go on and on about this, but appliances are really a lot of money, and I don't want to see anyone make any of the same mistakes I did! 
By the way, our dryer is a Kenmore, and we have had it for 7 years, and no problems. 
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
hylabrook1
Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5980
|
| Posted: Dec 01 2006 at 7:11am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Mine are Maytag Neptune. We really didn't do research, just went on the reputation of Maytag and our positive experiences with a Maytag top-loader. One thing I found interesting is that some of the machines (I think Bosch may be one, also I think Kitchenaid) have a feature where they heat the water at the machine instead of drawing hot water from your hw tank. I'm not sure whether this is good or bad, but it seemed to make a difference in the price.
Peace,
Nancy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Sarah
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1624
|
| Posted: Dec 01 2006 at 3:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I'm hunting for one myself.
Consumer Reports is saying Kenmore and Whirlpool are their best picks. But I worry about Whirlpool based on Stacy's concerns.
LG is rated excellent in water efficiency, cleaning, and capacity. . .my three big needs.
We are on a septic tank here and need to use less water.
LG however is a new brand that has no long track record plus its expensive.
This is hard to decide!
__________________
Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stefoodie
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 17 2005
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8457
|
| Posted: Dec 01 2006 at 3:42pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
If you want a more comprehensive source for reviews, ConsumerSearch.com takes data from different reviews and compiles/analyzes them.
Sarah, LG was on our list too. Some people seem to love theirs.
I made a mistake -- it's not the appliance forum at Gardenweb that has all the info and people you can ask. It's the Laundry Room forum.
__________________
stef
mom to five
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MicheleQ
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2193
|
| Posted: Dec 01 2006 at 5:23pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
hylabrook1 wrote:
| Mine are Maytag Neptune. We really didn't do research, just went on the reputation of Maytag and our positive experiences with a Maytag top-loader. One thing I found interesting is that some of the machines (I think Bosch may be one, also I think Kitchenaid) have a feature where they heat the water at the machine instead of drawing hot water from your hw tank. I'm not sure whether this is good or bad, but it seemed to make a difference in the price. |
|
|
The front loader I had in Germany did this - since the water heaters there are very small it had to. I think that's probably the main reason why the Bosch's do that. I have a Maytag Neptune as well. I like it a lot. It cleans better than my Kenmore did (which we had to replace parts on quite a bit over the 4 years we had it).
I like how big the Neptune is as well. It was pricey but so far has been worth it.
God bless,
__________________
Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mary G
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5790
|
| Posted: Dec 01 2006 at 5:25pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
stefoodie wrote:
The third brand we considered was Fisher Paykel but there were a few parts that looked flimsy.
|
|
|
We got a Fisher-Paykel top loader and dryer in August when we moved in. I LOVE both. The dryer actually loads from the top and holds a TON of wash. The washer is a top loader but is super efficient because of the way it washes. I can get away with doing few loads with these machines. The washer senses how much and what kind of laundry is in the machine and washes accordingly.
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Rachel May
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 24 2005
Location: Kansas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2057
|
| Posted: Dec 01 2006 at 8:33pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We just bought a Kenmore front loader last spring. Bill-laundry-king puts it in the top 5 things we've bought (along with the dryer which doesn't match the washer).
__________________
Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JenniferS
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 09 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1049
|
| Posted: Dec 01 2006 at 10:07pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We just bought the LG brand this past summer. It was expensive, but we have saved 1,000-2,000 gallons of water each month since we bought them(end of July), and we have also saved electricity(minimal). I really let dh do the research because that's what he loves to do. I am the one that actually uses the machines, and I do like them a lot.
Jen
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
momtomany
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 17 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 505
|
| Posted: Dec 02 2006 at 8:14am | IP Logged
|
|
|
stacykay wrote:
Do not buy a whirlpool duet! Ours is four years old, cost nearly $1000, and is on the fritz umber of reasons, according to the flashing display window.
If you do any checking for reviews on potential washer/dryers, I highly recommend looking for the ones who have owned said brand for a while. A lot of the reviews for my washer rate it as excellent, but many have only owned it for a few months.
|
|
|
I've had the complete opposite experience with my two Duet washers. I've had one for four years, the other, three, and have yet to even have to call a repairman. I love them! But I was told by the appliance salesperson that the Duet dryers aren't really worth the money.
__________________
Mary Ann in PA
wife to MIchael, mom to Elizabeth, Becca, Tim, Peter, Andrew, Sarah, Matthew, John, Leah and Joseph
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Front load washer/dryer
