We had a Maytag Bravos (probably 12 years old). It died today. Last night the it gave a huge bang and today it’s throwing an F51 error code. I think it’s time for a new one. What’s the go to brand that I should be looking at? I don’t really want a front loader, do I? We need large capacity to wash comforters.

The old Maytag didn’t have the agitator and the wife prefers one without. I think it did a good job without.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark123,

Speed Queen analog is my choice but it does have an agitator and the capacity is not as large as some. Our set was new in fall of 2016 and it has been trouble free.

I buy Whirlpool appliances as a rule and this SQ set replaced a good WP set that we left at our old house.

quote:

Originally posted by doublesharp:
Speed Queen analog is my choice but it does have an agitator and the capacity is not as large as some. Our set was new in fall of 2016 and it has been trouble free.

I buy Whirlpool appliances as a rule and this SQ set replaced a good WP set that we left at our old house.

Can it fit a Queen sized comforter?

When my washing machine kicked the bucket in February the local appliance store had a very diminished selection to choose from due to COVID. I got a GE model with a 5 year warranty because it was the one with the longest warranty. You may (or may not) run into a diminished availability scenario when shopping.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
Can it fit a Queen sized comforter?

Yes

We have a 4 cubic feet washer now (the dead one) I'm not sure I want to go down to a 3.2 cubic feet. We do make use of the extra capacity.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by doublesharp:
Speed Queen analog is my choice but it does have an agitator and the capacity is not as large as some. Our set was new in fall of 2016 and it has been trouble free.

I buy Whirlpool appliances as a rule and this SQ set replaced a good WP set that we left at our old house.

Can it fit a Queen sized comforter?

Maybe, Speed Queens are only rated at around 3.5 cu ft...... you can get top loader Whirlpool/maytags over 5 cu feet. I'd go with a Maytag or Whirlpool. I miss my front loading duets (left them at a rental property) they did an incredible job in cleaning, wrinkle free, and virtually dry when the washer was done. I went with whirlpool cabrio top loaders for more capacity and they do a very good job, but the front loaders were incredible.

I just installed these today. My Whirlpool set lasted 10 years. These were not cheap, but they make the wife happy.

Can't recommend what to buy, but I can recommend what to avoid at all costs: Samsung. Don't even think about it. If you go to a store and they start pushing Samsung: Run away.

The wife heard a long while back that front loaders eventually leak. Is that old news? Still a concern?

I’d imagine that’s an easy fix by replacing the seal.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
Can't recommend what to buy, but I can recommend what to avoid at all costs: Samsung. Don't even think about it. If you go to a store and they start pushing Samsung: Run away.

Yes, I’d also like to know what to avoid. I’m no fan of LG anything so that’s already on my no-go list.

I have a Whirlpool top loader. No complaints

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
The wife heard a long while back that front loaders eventually leak. Is that old news? Still a concern?

I’d imagine that’s an easy fix by replacing the seal.

I bought my front loader, a Kenmore, in 2004. I have moved twice since then, it is still going strong with no leaks. Granted, it has not had a hard life. I am single, run about 2 loads/week. Also, during the first 8 years I owned it I spent about 3.5 years (cumulative) away from home on deployments/missions/trips.

Now that I have said this it will start to leak next week.

We took recommendations from here and elsewhere and purchased a Speedqueen Classic.

The thing is a tank and washes clothes like nobody’s business.

Speedqueen

Buy once Cry once.

All hope might not be lost.

https://removeandreplace.com/2...hine-error-code-f51/

FWIW, none of the several front-loading washers we have owned over the last 20 years developed leaks. None have lived long enough to. We get four or maybe five years out of them before they quit working for one reason or another. If our laundry area was able to accommodate a top load washer I’d never buy another front loader.

We bought a Speed Queen TC5003WN top loader a few months ago. It was recommended on Sigforum. It gets my work clothes clean and takes half the time as the front load washer it replaced. I am thinking of buying another one and keeping it as a spare in case they stop making them in ten years .

At 3.2 cubic feet I’m going to pass on the Speed Queen models.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
At 3.2 cubic feet I’m going to pass on the Speed Queen models.

Just so you know with HE machines it may say 4.9 ft³ but in reality it's only 3 ft³ that's actually usable. I will always take a smaller less efficient one than these stupid high capacity HE machines.

Yeah, you're likely going to have a restricted choice of models. If you rule out HE - not saying that's a bad choice - you may not have much choice left.

HE front loaders. We've had one for years, and while it doesn't leak, it will stink up if we don't make sure the lid stays open 24x7 (except for the times it's actively washing, of course.)

The drainage isn't perfect and unless the front door seal dries out completely, it mildews. Found that out the hard way. Eeeww.

So we got a clip-on fan and aim that at the open washer, and that (along with the 'open 24x7' policy) has kept the mildew demons appeased.

I did see the link SigSAC posted above has both the meaning of your error code, along with a video about how to maybe fix it and if necessary replace the failed sensor. That would be my first try.