let's talk washers and dryers...

**toxigal** · 08-30-2012, 10:22 AM

my extremely cheap washer broke last night. no complaints, it was really cheap and i bought it in 1998. the dryer timer stopped working years ago. it is either on or off and this is controlled by opening and closing the door.

so, it's time to replace both of them.

i know i want a top load HE washer and I need an electric dryer.

I'd like to spend <$1200 for the pair but could go up to $1500 (including delivery, set up and haul away).

so, do you like what you have? where did you get it? what should i avoid?

**Giavella Water** · 08-30-2012, 11:52 AM

[QUOTE=toxigal;527977]my extremely cheap washer broke last night. no complaints, it was really cheap and i bought it in 1998. the dryer timer stopped working years ago. it is either on or off and this is controlled by opening and closing the door.

so, it's time to replace both of them.

Don't know what kinda house you live in but if it's a row house with narrow stairs, especially to the basement, you may have to buy a washer and dryer that breaks down to clear the stairs.

Maytags used to break down but don't anymore since they were bought by Whirlpool. I think that Speedqueens break down but I'm not sure. If stair width or door width is a concern, do your homework. Good luck.

**fromula** · 08-30-2012, 03:20 PM

yes speedqueens do break down - we bought a speedqueen washer this year from aj appliance in south philly and are very happy with it

**chuckiezip** · 08-31-2012, 06:50 AM

i've bought several appliances from aj. they give good advice, whatever price point you're looking for.

**jettore** · 09-01-2012, 09:03 PM

I always use Albo in their Audubon location. It's just minutes over the bridge.

Been very happy with my Whirlpools we bought 2 years ago.

**sharkey** · 09-01-2012, 09:27 PM

Dominics in South Philly at 18th and W. Passyunk. They sell take-aparts and if you don't need a big unit they have this small washer that fits down most stairs in one piece.

**billy ross** · 09-01-2012, 11:42 PM

Very few stairs are so narrow that they won't allow standard units to go down them - I'm talking 24"-27" units.

I'd convert to a gas dryer if I could - electric blows. I'd also do a front loader w/m if I could - they're supposedly kinder on your clothes and the environment.

**FKD19124** · 09-02-2012, 08:34 AM

Sears was always my families favorite for appliances however recently my Dad bought a washer a scratch and dent on rising sun avenue and got a good one.
Do stay away from front load washers. I heard they are more maintance then they are worth. You can get an energy effiecient top loader if you look.

Originally Posted by toxigal

my extremely cheap washer broke last night. no complaints, it was really cheap and i bought it in 1998. the dryer timer stopped working years ago. it is either on or off and this is controlled by opening and closing the door.

so, it's time to replace both of them.

i know i want a top load HE washer and I need an electric dryer.

I'd like to spend <$1200 for the pair but could go up to $1500 (including delivery, set up and haul away).

so, do you like what you have? where did you get it? what should i avoid?

**toxigal** · 09-02-2012, 08:49 AM

my laundry is on my main floor, so i didn't have to worry about getting it up or down any stairs. i have no need to convert to gas, electric is just fine. i ended up getting a samsung high efficiency top loader and a samsung dryer from BEst Buy. They had a good deal and I had some best buy dollar things and 0% financing for 18 months.

i lived with someone who had a front loader and hated it. the door had to stay ajar all the time because water collects in the seal and it STINKS. i usually go scratch and dent for appliances, but i didn't have time to go all the way over to the sears outlet. unfortunately when appliances die it often an "crap, i need to replace this now" situation.

**FKD19124** · 09-02-2012, 09:23 AM

I heard the same thing about the front loaders smelling because of accumulated water. My repair guy ( sears ) says he hates front loaders because they are a nighmare to fix.

Originally Posted by toxigal

my laundry is on my main floor, so i didn't have to worry about getting it up or down any stairs. i have no need to convert to gas, electric is just fine. i ended up getting a samsung high efficiency top loader and a samsung dryer from BEst Buy. They had a good deal and I had some best buy dollar things and 0% financing for 18 months.

i lived with someone who had a front loader and hated it. the door had to stay ajar all the time because water collects in the seal and it STINKS. i usually go scratch and dent for appliances, but i didn't have time to go all the way over to the sears outlet. unfortunately when appliances die it often an "crap, i need to replace this now" situation.

**Tail** · 09-03-2012, 06:21 PM

I have a front loader washer and HATE it for all the reasons given above. It's the worst purchase I've ever made. The mildew is crazy and it leaks too. Next washer is without a doubt a top loader.

**hkp** · 09-03-2012, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by Tail

I have a front loader washer and HATE it for all the reasons given above. It's the worst purchase I've ever made. The mildew is crazy and it leaks too. Next washer is without a doubt a top loader.

You can install a $10 fan that will dry out the excess water after use. Or leave the door open for an hour or two after use to allow for evaporation. Mine does not smell at all.

**billy ross** · 09-03-2012, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by FKD19124

I heard the same thing about the front loaders smelling because of accumulated water. My repair guy ( sears ) says he hates front loaders because they are a nighmare to fix.

That's because they're all imported. Even Whirlpool's front loader is made in Germany. They are high maintenance, but they use much less detergent and they don't beat your clothes up so much, supposedly. Foreigners don't understand the concept of robustness and ease of maintenance like Americans do, generally speaking, so foreign engineered stuff tents to be much less repairable and thus much less robust. Americans know things will go wrong, that people will abuse stuff, that stuff will break, etc. We know how dumb people are here, and we plan for it. The motto of the US military - KISS. Things will go wrong, so design a robust system that can deal with that eventuality.

Supposedly the front loaders are much better for the environment because of the much less sudsing stuff entering our water supply (you can use a wheelbarrow to pick that crap up at the dam where the Wissahickon meets the Schuylkill - it's disgusting), and they use much less energy both to wash and to dry.

**jettore** · 09-03-2012, 09:01 PM

I have had 2 different front load sets. Both sets had zero issues, but my last pair did have the water and mildew issue so I left the door open but my new Whirlpools do not have the issue. They do clean really well.

**toxigal** · 09-03-2012, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by billy ross

Supposedly the front loaders are much better for the environment because of the much less sudsing stuff entering our water supply (you can use a wheelbarrow to pick that crap up at the dam where the Wissahickon meets the Schuylkill - it's disgusting), and they use much less energy both to wash and to dry.

the HE top loaders use minimal water and the same type/amount of detergent as front loaders. and there is no agitator, so they are gentler on clothes than traditional top loaders.

i know people with front loaders that like them, but my personal experience with them has not been good so I don't want to risk it. plus, they are more expensive than i feel the need to spend.

**sharkey** · 09-03-2012, 09:23 PM

[QUOTE=billy ross;528625]Very few stairs are so narrow that they won't allow standard units to go down them - I'm talking 24"-27" units.

I'd convert to a gas dryer if I could - electric blows. I'd also do a front loader w/m if I could - they're supposedly kinder on your clothes and the environment.[/QUOTE

You must never have lived in South Philly.

**TonyDanza** · 09-05-2012, 09:35 AM

Good timing on this thread - I'm also in the market for a new washer. Looking at Speed Queens since they break down and our basement entrance is too narrow for a real machine.

Does anyone know if Speed Queen makes a collapsible front loader? It's hard to tell from their web site.

**Tail** · 09-12-2012, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by hkp

You can install a $10 fan that will dry out the excess water after use. Or leave the door open for an hour or two after use to allow for evaporation. Mine does not smell at all.

We have never shut the door after use. It's in the basement, so we never careed to shut it. The mildew is in the rubber gasket and comes back no matter what you do do.

I stand by my post, 9 years with this washer has sucked.

**FKD19124** · 09-13-2012, 08:49 AM

I've seem the HE top loaders with no agitator and wonder if they clean as well as the ones that have one.

Originally Posted by toxigal

the HE top loaders use minimal water and the same type/amount of detergent as front loaders. and there is no agitator, so they are gentler on clothes than traditional top loaders.

i know people with front loaders that like them, but my personal experience with them has not been good so I don't want to risk it. plus, they are more expensive than i feel the need to spend.

**FKD19124** · 09-13-2012, 08:52 AM

I've heard good things about front loaders too but if they are going to be a nightmare to have repaired plus smell if I don't leave the door open, I think I will try a HE top loader. But the thing is, they have no agitator, which like the front loader, is easier on the clothes, and wonder if they clean just as good or better.

Originally Posted by billy ross

That's because they're all imported. Even Whirlpool's front loader is made in Germany. They are high maintenance, but they use much less detergent and they don't beat your clothes up so much, supposedly. Foreigners don't understand the concept of robustness and ease of maintenance like Americans do, generally speaking, so foreign engineered stuff tents to be much less repairable and thus much less robust. Americans know things will go wrong, that people will abuse stuff, that stuff will break, etc. We know how dumb people are here, and we plan for it. The motto of the US military - KISS. Things will go wrong, so design a robust system that can deal with that eventuality.

Supposedly the front loaders are much better for the environment because of the much less sudsing stuff entering our water supply (you can use a wheelbarrow to pick that crap up at the dam where the Wissahickon meets the Schuylkill - it's disgusting), and they use much less energy both to wash and to dry.