Washer and Dryer Questions

April 07, 2025, 07:36 AM

quote:
Originally posted by cee_Kamp:
We had front loader washer and dryer in our house when we purchased the place. Whirlpool Duet, both on the riser cabinets with storage drawers underneath. They were only two years old at that time.
Top of the line then, the original house owners spared no expense.

Within a year of us using them, the washer started throwing error codes. To this day, the gas dryer continues operating as it should.
The diagnostics for that particular fault code said start with replacing circuit board #1.
If the problem wasn't fixed, then replace circuit board #2.
Both circuit boards, in total, over $500, and that was ~ six years ago.
And of course, being electrical components, if replacing circuit board #1 didn't repair the problem/error code, you still had to pay for the part.

There is really only one choice.

Maybe not. I’ve seen at least one online appliance part supplier in the past who offered several weeks after delivery during which you can return electronic parts which didn’t fix the problem. You have to pay return shipping, but that’s not particularly expensive compared to the cost of the part. Might be worth checking if that option still exists today.

April 07, 2025, 07:46 AM

oddball

quote:
Originally posted by jljones:
Just went through this.

Your average washer is made to last 5-8 years. The washing machine your grandmother had that lasted 20-30 years is now only found in the Speed Queen line.

I agree, this was our thinking when we bought our SQ set over 7 years ago. Not one single problem with them, not one. As far as price, cry once...

April 07, 2025, 07:56 AM

Patrick-SP2022

Consider the availability of service for whatever brand of washer & dryer you buy.
I had gone down the Speed Queen path and purchased locally.
The dealer I bought from went out of business during the height of covid.
I had passed over the other nearby dealer initially because they did not return calls.

When my electric dryer needed service, I was not happy with the results.
3 service calls and it was not fixed.

I wound up dumping the dryer and getting the cheapest Whirlpool electric dryer at Costco.

April 07, 2025, 08:19 AM

Loaded Round

Another vote for Speed Queen.

The exterior dimensions are on the small side. Might be a plus in your smallish room?

April 08, 2025, 12:04 AM

KevH

Does it make sense to buy a Speed Queen TC5 washer and then the cheapest Maytag dryer?

April 08, 2025, 02:49 AM

2000Z-71

Went through similar last year. Maytag washer went out, parts no longer available for replacement. While shopping most shops stated since being bought by Whirlpool Maytag quality is not nearly what it used to be. Went ahead and replaced both washer and dryer with new GE front loaders and have been very happy with them.

One of the joys of living in Alaska is being very limited on what's available. Had a knock down drag out fight with Lowe's, ordered Electrolux units online as being shown in stock. Found out their definition of, "In stock" means it's sitting in a warehouse in Seattle awaiting shipment sometime within the next 90 days. Cancelled the order and bought the GE units from a local appliance shop.

April 08, 2025, 11:49 AM

corsair

quote:
Originally posted by KevH:
Does it make sense to buy a Speed Queen TC5 washer and then the cheapest Maytag dryer?

Why not...will you or, anybody else in the household have a OCD conniption if the two appliance are not just a different brands but, their overall format is different?

April 08, 2025, 12:23 PM

ShouldBFishin

quote:
Originally posted by KevH:
Does it make sense to buy a Speed Queen TC5 washer and then the cheapest Maytag dryer?

When the time comes, that's probably what I'll end up doing.

Currently have a 22 year old Maytag washer and a 5 year old Maytag dryer (that replaced cheap/crappy Samsung). When I bought the replacement dryer, I went for the largest capacity I could find at Menards in a Maytag.

April 08, 2025, 01:11 PM

HRK

May sound crazy, but, looking at the drawing, and your comment that it's a tight space, consider removing the water heater tank, and installing an outdoor tankless water heater.

Since you have NG that's the most efficient tankless heater, you'll gain space that is sorely needed, alloy you to put both units on the floor without crowding up the room.

They also have indoor tankless that can vent with PVC pipe through the wall which would reduce the plumbing and gas connection setup

You could mount it higher on the wall above the washer and dryer and have room for a table that you could fold up on the wall when not in use.

Folding table will make momma happy...

There are several online forums for appliance repairs where you put in your model number and you can find the problem then search the PN for the best deal.

April 08, 2025, 01:30 PM

OneWheelDrive

My parents gave us a Kenmore washer & dryer in 1988 for a wedding present. The washer lasted 35 years with one repair by me. The dryer lasted 37 years with one repair (not me.) I replaced both with Whirlpool. The Home Depot employees and the installers all said not to expect the same life from the Whirlpools.

April 08, 2025, 01:49 PM

Rey HRH

quote:
Originally posted by KevH:
Yes, we have Costco. I'm leaning Maytag. I honestly just want a simple old school washer and dryer.

Simple yes but I say go for a steamer function in the dryer. It saves you ironing work.

"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.

April 08, 2025, 02:07 PM

RogueJSK

quote:
Originally posted by Rey HRH:
Simple yes but I say go for a steamer function in the dryer. It saves you ironing work.

Maybe. Maybe not.

I've never had a fancy steam dryer, and can count on one hand the number of times in the last couple decades I've needed to manually iron something to get wrinkles out. And I'd still have fingers left.

Buying mostly wrinkle-free clothing, along with promptly removing things from the dryer at the end of a cycle, works 99.9% of the time.

April 09, 2025, 01:19 PM

1967Goat

Our 20 year old Kenmore washer crapped out just before Christmas. I was able to talk my wife into Speed Queen front load washer and dryer. She wanted Whirlpool from Lowe's for half the price. Ordered them Dec 23. Took 10 weeks to get them. The $4,000 price tag sucked.

April 09, 2025, 02:43 PM

KevH

I live the the dystopian state of California where sales tax is nearly 10% so large purchases are more painful than they should be.

I'm kicking around the buying a Speed Queen TC5 washer and a much cheaper dryer.

I'm also tempted to go find a nice pre-2011 direct drive washer and have it refurbished rather than spend the coin on a Speed Queen.

April 09, 2025, 02:45 PM

corsair

quote:
Originally posted by 1967Goat:
She wanted Whirlpool from Lowe's for half the price. Ordered them Dec 23. Took 10 weeks to get them. The $4,000 price tag sucked.

Are you still married?

April 09, 2025, 02:50 PM

corsair

quote:
Originally posted by KevH:
I live the the dystopian state of California where sales tax is nearly 10% so large purchases are more painful than they should be.

I'm kicking around the buying a Speed Queen TC5 washer and a much cheaper dryer.

I'm also tempted to go find a nice pre-2011 direct drive washer and have it refurbished rather than spend the coin on a Speed Queen.

Have you checked-out Airport Home Appliance? Their manuf rebates may help the bottom line for you. If you can hold out, the upcoming holidays periods usually have sales & promotions....Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, etc...

April 11, 2025, 12:16 PM

KevH

quote:
Originally posted by corsair:
quote:
Originally posted by KevH:
I live the the dystopian state of California where sales tax is nearly 10% so large purchases are more painful than they should be.

I'm kicking around the buying a Speed Queen TC5 washer and a much cheaper dryer.

I'm also tempted to go find a nice pre-2011 direct drive washer and have it refurbished rather than spend the coin on a Speed Queen.

Have you checked-out Airport Home Appliance? Their manuf rebates may help the bottom line for you. If you can hold out, the upcoming holidays periods usually have sales & promotions....Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, etc...

I haven't gone there yet, but will probably check out the one in Concord.