Topic: Washer 'n dryer ?

[CaféElite]

I need to get a washer and dryer but really dont have the desire or time to research what is the best brand, type or deal I should be shooting for.  Im not expect people to go out and research for me but if you have knowledge in this area and dont mind passing it on I would appreciate it.

Brand?
Front or top loader?
Do all the little gizmos really matter?
Some washers have that center pipe in the bucket and some dont, WTF?
Is there really a diff between 10k and 12k rpms when talkinga about a washer.
Some dryers have just a little squar vent thing for the heat to release while others have the whole back section opened up, does it matter?
Do I need to opt for the 3 yr extend warranty or do these things last forever?

Thanks!


BTW im a single guy that does about 4 loads a week.

[void909]

How much money you got?
How much room you got?
Can you afford to spend a little money to save a little money?

I'm no expert on washers and dryers but I have used few in my lifetime.

Another great post!

[kslrr]

4 loads a week?  When I was single, I did laundry on Sunday.  2 washer loads and 1 dryer load. 

Now I have a wife and 6 kids (part time).  We have a set of the Wirlpool Duet front load machines.  They use less water, less gas & less electricity.  They have fully electronic controls with variable frequency motor drives.  We paid around $1,700 for the pair at Lowe's about 2 years ago.  Now these types of dryers also include a steam cycle.

[Gordon]

+1 on the front-load washer.

I don't have much brand-loyalty in appliances, but ours is a Kenmore.  Check to see if your utility company offers rebates for water-saving appliances.  We got our washing machine at the Sears "scratch-&-dent" Outlet store, and with the $200 rebate from the utility company we only ended up paying about $200 for it.  And almost all of the "scratches" came out easily with a little polishing compound. 

You can stuff a front-load completely full and they use less water and less detergent, and they're really quiet.

[Bodi]

Unless you go European, like Miele or Bosch (both excellent by the way, but $$$$), all washers and dryers come out of the same factory with different names on them. So an American brand is pretty much the same inside regardless of the brand with just cosmetic and control panel differences.
Front load is the way to go. They use much less water, are gentler on the clothes, and usually leave the clothes less wet at the end. The extra cost for a natural gas dryer is worth it too, IMO. Electricity almost always costs more even with the price of NG nowadays.

[333]

Now I would disagree on the front loader.  There was one in a beach rental we did last year, on the 3rd floor.  When it was in spin mode, it shook the entire floor.  The law of gravity dictates that it will not have a balanced load, because of the front loader will always have the load on one side of the basket.  If you are installing it in a basement, on a cement floor, it will probably not make a difference.

We love our Maytag.  3 years old and counting.

[hoodellyhoo]

I'm not any kind of an expert but my parents have an front loader with some gizmo that rotates the clothes to get them as balanced as possible before spinning so there's less vibration. My mom also says that, even though it uses less water it doesn't clean as well as the old toploader did.

-my 2ish cents

[tsflstb]

We bought a Maytag front loader with all the bells and whistles and had it about a week before the electronic control panel gave out.  To me, more buttons = more headaches.  Returned it for a solid high capacity washer and dryer with mechanical timers.  The $1000 difference buys a lot of detergent and kilowatt-hours of electricity.

[Bob Wessner]

Top loader vs. front loader might depend on how tall you are. I do a lot of the laundry since I'm retired and my wife still works. I'm 6'4" and the the top loading washer is a lot easier to use than the front loading drier. Some of the newer front loaders come with stand-like storage units under them to raise them up and address this problem. As to what kind, we have always had good luck with good old Sears Kenmore. The fewer bells and whistles, the few things to go wrong. A washer that allows you to select different levels of water for load size is nice, just don't forget to change from small load to full load when you fill it with dirty clothes.

Gas vs. electric drier is a personal preference depending on what's available where you live and how much each costs to use and where the cost of each is likely to go in the future... besides UP. Don't forget you will be living with these for probably 15 years or so.

[78 k550]

My mom also says that, even though it uses less water it doesn't clean as well as the old toploader did.

-my 2ish cents

My sister said the same thing.

Paul

[Demon67]

In a former manifestation I fixed large appliances and several things are true, the ones that have fancy timers are the same as the ones with simple timers, same guts just different timers so if your going to use it go with simple and pretty well every brand uses the same water valves etc so what ever is a good price top loaders use more water but in the long run are probably easier to fix if yo have one thats shaking the house in spin try cutting a piece of 3/4" plywood in square thats a little larger than the machine and set the machine on top of it that should take care of the spongy floor joists as far as dryers went I used to like the Kenmore, whirlpool dryers when the belt broke it was a 10 min job to fix it.
 Bill the demon

[kirkn]

We've usually bought the cheapest, bells-and-whistle-free washer and dryer out there.  Never been disappointed.

I don't like anything electronic on the appliances.  Luddite that I am.     All mechanical controls.  Switches and knobs.  All the things that are going to stand up to years of abuse from wife, hubby and eventually, the teenage boys  (you know, those paragons of proper-use-and-care) and are easy for the do-it-yourselfer to change out if they DO fail.

Top loader washer for all the reasons mentioned above.

Absolutely the largest capacity washer you can afford, because eventually, you'll want it.  You'll have some comforter, or bedspread or something that demands the large capacity.

[333]

Like we really believe you can get teenage boys to do laundry!

[MJL]

When my parents got married some 34 years ago they got a Maytag toploader as a wedding gift. In all those years it's only had a motor and belt replaced.

[CaféElite]

You guys rock! My estimated cost for these devices had dropped by 600 bucks.

Two more questions...

Washer: Stainless steel tub, does it really matter? Is it work the extra 50 bucks that seems to be the price diff between the same models.

Dryer: Inside the barrel on the back panel some have a heat vent that take up like 1/4 of the panel while others take up the whole panel. Is one better then the other or does it really matter.

[Bob Wessner]

Can't speak to the differences in dryer vent size, but we have never had a washer with a stainless tub and never had a problem. Save another $50 in my opinion.