Exciting Day - I Need Some Help

[AngliaGT]

The Wife & I went out to breakfast today.She got a call
from our Daughter,telling us that our dryer wouldn't work,so
after breakfast we looked at new washers & dryers.
After that,I went to the fabric store with her.I think I need a nap!
I need help.Does anyone know what the way to go on one?
I'd like to "Buy American".We're also torn on buying a nicer
one,or one with just the basic stuff.Also,she wants a front-
loading washer/& or dryer,with a door that opens horizontally.
Anyone help with this dry subject?

- Doug

 

[Guest]

IIRC, "we" discussed the pros and cons of front load washers. Folks said water says in the bottom and smells mildewy. You gotta prop the door open on 'em from what I recall. IMO, the more basic the model the longer it'll last you. Less crap to fail. Kinda like the digital crock pot...

 

[jessebogan]

I have a front loader washer, "energy and water saver" version. I hate it. First, inadvertant coins end up in the pump (plastic impellor$$$) Second, it as slow as 20W50 in January, and finally, you cannot open the door to add or adjust the load. Other than debris taking out the pump, it has been reliable so far, only a couple of years old, but it gets a lot of use. Replacing the impellor was easy enough, but $$$ for the part. Seems a screen or something would have been a nice addition to the design.....

 

[Silverghost]

We've got 2 sets - 3 kids, active family, what can I say? Maytag Neptunes. Bought them from ABT (which I think is a national chain?) Had a problem with one washer - came out, fixed it - warranty. And the main control knob broke off one of the dryers - again repaired - warranty. When you can get good service, fixes aren't such a pita. My experience is they use less detergent and are gentler on the clothes. They get almost daily use - served us well so far.......

 

[AngliaGT]

The dryer is almost 30 years old.I found the problem - the "start"
switch.I'm for trying to keep it going,but the Wife's looking at a new
Samsung dryer.I have a hard time not buying American products.

- Doug

 

[TR6BILL]

Are there any American Made washers/dryers left? I think Maytag was the last to go overseas....

 

[Banjo]

I got a replacement motor for a Maytag.. Will it fit yours?
[img:left] Maytag kick tarte side by banjoben42, on Flickr[/img]
this ones from a model 92.... circa 1932

 

[Rhodyspit75]

If your washer is on the right and dryer on the left be prepared to swap them if you buy front load. You can reverse the door on a dryer but not on the washer.
Mine was wrong when I first bought them. I told my wife there was nothing I could do. When I retired and started doing more laundry I soon redid the plumbing and electrical and switched them. I also built a platform 10 inches high so it was easier to load and unload. Now the doors open like this
/__ __\ and not like this __\ /__

 

[anthony7777]

banjo, that is nice!, its only the second one ive ever seen. :thumbsup:

 

[DNK]

... You gotta prop the door open on 'em from what I recall. ...

You don't prop it open you just never close it all the way.
We've had ours for about 10+ years. About time to buy another.
Oh yea, every once in a while you should wipe the door seal down with a little bleach solution and to keep the mildew scent from happening run a warm bleach load with no clothes in it every couple of years.

 

[73nabisco]

I don't have alot of opinions, but i really would recommend fisher&paykel. Top loading washer but it spins really fast, and smooth- doesn't shake the house. It makes cool noises too. Happy hunting

 

[TRDejaVu]

Many countries have been quite happily using front loading washing machines for decades and getting very good results with them. They also use electric kettles that boil fast and turn off automatically; food mixers/blenders that don't look like something that should be powered by steam. We remember them from the 60s onwards, so when we moved across the pond my wife was quite surprised to see how "traditional" North American appliances are. It is OK to try something new occasionally; that's what got the US to the moon and back.

 

[JPSmit]

It is OK to try something new occasionally; that's what got the US to the moon and back.

a washing machine?

 

[Banjo]

Ahhh, but not all front loads are the high efficiency types.I think they may be now... We had a White Westinghouse front load for several years. I very much liked that washer. It never had any funky smells to it. Now they sell stuff to put in the high efficiency models to fix that.
We wound up with a top loader this time just because of initial cost. If I could afford another front load, we'd probably have one.
Now I gotta get one of those electric kettles.
thanks Antony, That pic is actually from before I restored that engine. It looks a lot better now (and runs great too!). I'll have to get a pic and post it.

 

[John Turney]

DW replaced a 20 year old Maytag with the new one 8 years ago. We just had to replace the 8 year old one. The service guy, who told us that repairing it (transmission) would cost as much as a new one, said they are now designed with an 8-year life. If your's is 30 years old and just needs a start swich, fix it. Those old machines were designed to last forever.

 

[Gliderman8]

We are still using the Maytag washer and dryer that we bought 21 years ago. I can't believe that they still make them to last like that today...sad.

 

[DrEntropy]

It is OK to try something new occasionally; that's what got the US to the moon and back.

a washing machine?

By all means!

You never saw James Burke's "Connections" series?