Our washer is on the fritz. It's a front loader Frigidaire Gallery and we got it new in 2004. Any recommendations on brands, models? I was thinking of sticking with a front loader.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: f2,

Whirlpool/Maytag/Amana

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
Whirlpool/Maytag/Amana

THIS! 16 years is a good run for any washing machine.

I had Maytag Front Load Neptunes from 2001 and the washer lost the drum bearings in 2018. It was noisy for a while but they finally wore out enough to cause the drum to sag and throw the belt. Not a cheap repair as Maytag does not sell the parts, you have to replace the entire tub for like $700.

So I bought new Whirlpool direct drive front loaders. Work fine, hopefully they will last 17 years as well. One thing - the "steam" function on the dryer just sprays a fine stream of water onto the clothes. If the dryer isn't full of clothes to catch all the water, it will leak out of the felt seals and puddle on the floor. Pointless feature IMO.

If you compare, Whirlpool, Matag, and Amana at the same price point and model type are clearly the same basic unit with some different styling and features. I went with Whirlpool because Best Buy had them in gray and white doesn't work in my house.

Please use the karmanator search to find the dozen threads on this.

Consensus opinion for the best brands includes speed queen.

My wife bought a Speed Queen to replace an aging Maytag. The SQ is one of those well-made, simple products that will not be highlighted by the mainstream marketing and guides. But you’re glad when you finally get pointed to it and buy it.

We bought a commercial top load for our office and went with a Speed Queen. Simple retro dials and switches, and MADE IN WI,USA.

My wife wanted a hot water clothes washer. All the new models seemed to be "energy efficient". which means no hot water on any setting. Hot setting was just barely warm & the washer was only 4ft from the water heater. Lowes took back 2 sets & finally we discovered that LG had a washer that had a Extra Hot (hot tap temp?) setting. Lowes exchanged the washer/dryer set a second time. The LG models that have hot water washing are designated with a H in the serial number instead of a C.

We have Maytag front loaders. They are over ten years old now and have been rock solid.

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
Whirlpool/Maytag/Amana

Yes to the above brands (especially Whirlpool), NO!! to LG and Samsung.

I could walk to the basement and check, but I'm pretty sure I have GE. 15 years new, not a spit of trouble. My vote is for extra-capacity for the heavy-duty parts and basic features.

We bought a KitchenAid washer, dryer and refrigerator in 1995 that we still have. Aside from a couple minor issues with the washing machine they have not required service.

quote:

My vote is for extra-capacity for the heavy-duty parts and basic features.

My wife could not reach the bottom of "extra-capacity" washers. We had to go to a front loader. Again, the newer "energy efficient" models do not have hot water on the "Hot" settings.

Have a 10-year old GE FE washer. Does not like towels - always gets a thump inbalance -ok otherwise

Maytag Direct Drive

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
Whirlpool/Maytag/Amana

I was just at Lowe's and they have Maytag / Whirlpool / and 1 Amana. Only the Amana was front loading, the rest top loaders. And they have models that fit where I'm putting them - around 27 inches wide and deep.

Anything but GE! In fact anything but GE for any appliance for me going forward. Complete shit!!!

We bought a front loading Maytag pair 20 years ago. They are still running great - at our daughters house. We gave those to her about 10 years ago and bought a new Maytag set. That experience was not so good. We had lots of problems and replace circuit boards in both the washer and dryer after they were about 5 years old.

Last spring we bought a set of LG front loaders that were on a big sale at Costco. Hopefully these will get us to the finish line. They work great - so far

I can't make a suggestion for which way to go, but I can make a strong recommendation for which way not to go: Avoid Samsung.

We've a Samsung washer/dryer pair downstairs that are only a couple years old and we're hoping they die an early death, a very early death, just so we can justify getting them the hell out of the house.

quote:

Originally posted by kramden:

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
Whirlpool/Maytag/Amana

Yes to the above brands (especially Whirlpool), NO!! to LG and Samsung.

Those 3 brands are all the same. PArts are interchangeable. Ie Whirlpool part are the OEM for Maytag.